ac427

Hello Everyone,

Just joined here due to a realization that long term health could become an issue After years of little activity it is time to get back to it. A 3 month healthy eating plan and 38lbs lighter and i'm ready.

I've started to run frequently and cycling has been cited to be one of the best cross training activities to get into, which is good because i have friends who ride that live not to far away. I'm not ready yet to pay the sticker price for a new bike from my LBS, and there are 2 buddies that said if presented with an offer they would not be opposed to upgrading their own machines

Having no clue about bikes its hard for me to understand spec sheets. I also understand things like seats and SOME geometry can be changed to fit each rider so long as it's in the ball park to begin with. I'm 5'10", 170lbs with a 32" inseam. Both bikes are 56cm which the sizing charts say is right for me, and my buddies are roughly the same as me so that makes sense.

The bikes - #1 ) 2014 Trek Madone 3.1, completely stock except a carbon seatpost and different seat. He wants $1100. #2 ) 2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert. Again, totally stock except for the tires. That one i can get for $1200

Both bikes are like new. Both pleasing to the eye. The Ultegra components are a plus. Spec wise it appears that the Tarmac is the better bike, but i'm thinking 5 years of carbon frame development may play a role also. I've ridden both. The Madone is "noisier" as in the cassette coasting as well as the shifters. Both seem to shift well enough though so i'm not sure how big of a deal the higher end components are to a novice like me. Riding positions are a little different, but not being a cyclist i just don't know what i'm supposed to be feeling. Once i've been riding a while i'll be able to shift my comfort focus from my backside to other areas

I'm looking for a bike that will last me a couple of years at least while i build up my strength & endurance. After that, as with most other hobbies i will likely start upgrading if i feel like i need to, so resale will also play a role. Being new to the sport, spec names and numbers mean nothing to me - could you experts please help me choose between these two so that one of my friends can start shopping for their next shiny new thing!

Thanks

VegasTriker

You can compare the components and MSRP for the two bikes here:
2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert X2 - BikePedia MSRP $3,700
2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert C2 - BikePedia MSRP $3,700
2014 Trek Madone 3.1 C H2 - BikePedia MSRP $1,979
It is pretty obvious that the older bike is much higher end, having cost new about twice as much. Shimano 105 components are mid level and are very durable. The Shimano Ultegra components are finished better and may be a bit lighter. Either one should give you years of service provided the bikes have been cared for by your friends. Does one fit you better than the other? That might be a more important reason for chosing one over the other. You can probably ride a bike that is too big or too small but it will not be as much fun.

ac427

Ive been out on them both today. I really cant tell much difference other than the saddle. The trek looks better with its hidden cables, the components look better on the Tarmac, especially the Ultegra crank vs the SRAM of the Trek, but that is all cosmetic really. i guess there are weight differences, but i seriously cant tell having them either side of me and lifting them up, so it cant be a huge difference if there is one.

I guess there will be a slim to zero difference to me in the early years of riding, so it boils down to return i think. The Trek's only 6 months old. In a couple of years looking at how values go it will likely drop quite a bit. The Tarmac has already taken the hit so i'm thinking it may not go down that much more and when resale comes along i'm in a better position. The more i read the less i'm worried as it seems the 105 is a very good reliable system even if it is lower level. My one friend with the Trek says i should buy his "because it climbs like a billy goat" which i found amusing. Surely its the rider...

Retro Grouch 

What sizes?

How tall are you relative to your friends? Whichever bike fits you better is the better buy. Ride 'em both and pick whichever one feels better.

Doctor Morbius

Info

Retro Grouch 

Tell 'em that anyway. Then just pick whichever bike you like better for whatever reason including color. That way the guy whose bike wasn't chosen won't be pissed off.

ac427

I bought the Tarmac. I liked them both and neither felt better than the other. I went with the smoothness of the Ultegra setup - it just felt more reassuring for reasons i cant explain. Now i need shoes to ride it properly! This sport's gonna cost

molten

Keep up with the consumer FAD. What (be said as) "everyone" likes. What 'sells.'
Then there are the "weird" one; those who like to be intentionally -- OR coinc. what be >different< of what "everyone" else likes.

Retro Grouch 

When it's something that we don't like, it's called "throwing money at the problem".
When it's something that we approve of, like buying proper bike shoes, it's called "an investment".