Road Bike Racing - Trek Madone 5.0 VS Specialized Tarmac Expert for racing

The LBS that sponsors us gives us a great discount. Which one should I get? I have only been cycling for about 7 months and it's my first year racing. I have a new Trek 1000 right now. It is actually a great bike I just hate to upgrade it cause I would be spending more money that way.

Which ever fits better. Both are totally different geometry.

I'd probably go with the tarmac

Never heard of a Madone 5.0. What's it come with.

The LBS that sponsors us gives us a great discount. Which one should I get? I have only been cycling for about 7 months and it's my first year racing. I have a new Trek 1000 right now. It is actually a great bike I just hate to upgrade it cause I would be spending more money that way.


Or you could just keep on racing with what you have, which is a perfectly raceable bike for a beginner.

When you crash (not if), and you mess up your 1000, you probably won't cry, but you may wimper some if you mess up the 5.0 or the Spec.

Or you could just keep on racing with what you have, which is a perfectly raceable bike for a beginner.

When you crash (not if), and you mess up your 1000, you probably won't cry, but you may wimper some if you mess up the 5.0 or the Spec.

True. Actually at a stage race last weekend I almost crashed on the road race, some guy in my slipstream ran into my wheel nearly knocked me down. He said he was sorry, I told him it was fine no harm done. But if I were to go down there would have been major harm to my bike and body.

I'd get that WalMart CF bike and throw Zipp 404s on it.

I like the idea of waiting...I was actually kind of glad when my Allez parted ways in a crit and I got to go buy a nice new bike. If you do get it now, though....go Tarmac.

Tarmac vs Madone (http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=tarmac&word2=madone)

Tarmac vs Madone (http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=tarmac&word2=madone)

:) :) :)

I rode both before buying my Tarmac and I do not regret my choice. It's fast...My only concern is the same one that San Rensho voiced...I would weep like a baby if my Tarmac was damaged in a race. I am confident that my wife would only allow me one $3000+ dollar indulgence a year.

But I bought it to race and race I shall...

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/gregogarrison/Tarmac.jpg

keep your current bike since you dont have any problems with it. Even if you do get a new bike with only 7 months under your belt you are most likely going to want another bike in another year or so when you start to really understand what you like and dont like.

I rode both before buying my Tarmac and I do not regret my choice. It's fast...My only concern is the same one that San Rensho voiced...I would weep like a baby if my Tarmac was damaged in a race. I am confident that my wife would only allow me one $3000+ dollar indulgence a year.

But I bought it to race and race I shall...

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/gregogarrison/Tarmac.jpg

Does that have a 12-27 cassete on it? I know the Trek has a 12-25. Which one is easier for climbing. BTW that bike is awesome. I really like the look of the Tarmac just not the color in the Tarmac expert.

I rode the Tarmac and Madone before concluding that the Tarmac was light years ahead of the Madone.

Ride both, then pick what you like. That said, you'll end up picking the Tarmac. It feels racier, and "snappier" to me than anything i've ever ridden :D