Corona

Some background first:

I have been riding for a few years now on a Trek 1500 that was given to me for a charity ride. I had done mountain biking for about 6 years before getting into road riding, and fell in love with road riding, more specifically touring. I am also on the cycling team here at my school, but was injured after only my first three races last season, so I do not have a very good sense of how much I enjoy racing just yet. I know I will continue to love riding in general, and eventually want to do self-supported touring.

Anyway, it has come time for me to get a new bike! Our team gets good deals on Tarmacs, and I have a friend selling a Chorus group and some custom wheels for an awesome price, so I was planning on going for the Tarmac Pro and building it up with the components from my friend. Recently, however, another friend introduced me to Gunnar bikes, and I kinda fell in love with the Roadie frame, and am starting to think I should go with that instead, especially given the type of riding I like, and the fact that I would rather get a frame that is going to last a long time considering the amount of money I am going to be spending. But, I will be graduating this year, so I will no longer be able to take advantage of the team deal, so I am tempted to make use of it while I can.

Basically, what I am asking is if anyone has experience with Gunnar, positive or negative, especially if you also have experience with Tarmacs. Any suggestions/advice?

Thanks!

thirdin77

Post this in the road forum as well.

Scooper

Yeah, this really belongs in Road Cycling.

eofelis 

My husband has a few words here:

I have a 2003 Gunnar Roadie with Ultegra and a 2006 Gunnar Roadie with Dura Ace. Obviously right there you can tell I like Gunnars; actually I am euphoric with my Gunnars (I also have a Rockhound; yes, I'm an addict). I first discovered Gunnars when I worked at a bike shop that had acquired a couple of Roadies (these were called the Hot Dog back then) when another shop went under. My shop seemed content to let these hang in the back, forelorn and dusty. So one day I tuned them up, aired up the tires, and took them for a test ride. I was blown away! They were the smoothest riding, yet responsive road frames I'd ever been on. Soon thereafter I bought my 2003 Roadie, and then when they went semi-compact (and I just wanted another bike) I got the 2006. I won't tell you that the Roadie is the most responsive frame out there, but for a combination of outstanding ride quality and surprisingly good responsiveness, I haven't found its equal. What really blows me away is how affordable these frames are to boot!

You're asking, though, about how the Roadie compares to the Specialized Tarmac. It just so happens that my favorite LBS is a Specialized dealer, and it happens that I'm always on the lookout for a really nice road bike; so one day I test rode their Tarmac. I was actually expecting to fall in love with this bike; given the materials and the thinking behind the way it was built (responsive yet smooth, suposedly), I thought this bike would have all of the ride characteristics of my Roadie (if not even better) but be more responsive to boot. To cut to the chase, I was very disappointed. I can't say if it was more responsive; I sprinted it a couple times but didn't really notice anything better than my Gunnar. The ride, though, had me taking this thing back to the shop in short order. I had decided pretty much in the first block that the bike was a "no". It had an odd combination of feeling soft, like a low tire, while at the same time I could really feel the vibration of the chip sealed road surface, something I don't really notice with my Gunnar.

For comparison information, I ride a 56cm Gunnar and weigh in at 203.

One other thought: you mentioned the word "touring". If you're referring to loading up your bike with all of your gear and heading off for a week, month or year, the Roadie isn't the right bike (nor is any other true road bike). You should be looking for a genuine touring bike. My wife and I have done some loaded touring around our home state of Colorado; she rides a Surly Long Haul Trucker while I ride a Surly Cross Check. So if you are thinking of going touring you might want a second bike (yipee!!!).

On the other hand, if you're looking for a road bike that you can put a rack on and carry a very light load, maybe to even do some credit card tours, the Roadie could do the job. Look at the Gunnar Sport also, though: it has the same tubing as the Roadie, but different geometry and has clearance for wider tires. Of course, you sacrifice responsiveness with this frame compared to the Roadie.

Bottom line, you need to test ride both if you can; only you can decide what works and feels best to you. Of course you can always do what I do when I can't decide between two bikes: buy both.

Let me know how this all works out!
John

rexh

Get the Gunnar!

Magmol

As big as the Grand Canyon this is.

If you ride because you like the experience, being out doors, freedom etc.. A good steel bike is the ticket and Gunnar is at the top.

If you race you will be laughed out of the peloton if your not on fibers suspended in glue. Oh ya it has to be made in China and badged to look as if it was made here for profit reasons.

I don't envy your decision. Good luck.

Fat Boy

I really don't think so. It'll come down to rider performance, not the bike. Most people probably won't know what a Gunnar is. Those who do won't be laughing, but watching the guy knowing he's not a bike idiot. He may or may not be fast, but has pretty good taste in bikes.