Help with a Specialized Tarmac Expert
10-12-08, 03:36 PM
#1
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Help with a Specialized Tarmac Expert
I've been looking to upgrade from my aluminum Trek with a Tiagra/105 mix. The bike I've got it down to is the 2009 Tarmac Expert with Ultegra.
I've been working with my LBS a lot during this upgrade process. They don't have any Experts in, but of course they can order it. My guy at the shop suggested I ride a 2008 Tarmac Pro to get an idea of the upgrade from my local bike. He said the frame would be similar just a notch below. I did that over the weekend and was very impressed, of course I can't afford the Pro.
I'm not a bike genius on all the individual parts, so can someone help me diagnose the difference in the two. I know the expert has ultegra and the pro has dura-ace, but not sure of the difference in the feel of them really. Also the wheels on the pro I rode were supposedly quite a bit nicer.
Can anyone help me breakdown the two? Just wondering if I would be happy with the Expert after riding the Pro. Either way the Expert is a major jump from my current bike.
I've been working with my LBS a lot during this upgrade process. They don't have any Experts in, but of course they can order it. My guy at the shop suggested I ride a 2008 Tarmac Pro to get an idea of the upgrade from my local bike. He said the frame would be similar just a notch below. I did that over the weekend and was very impressed, of course I can't afford the Pro.
I'm not a bike genius on all the individual parts, so can someone help me diagnose the difference in the two. I know the expert has ultegra and the pro has dura-ace, but not sure of the difference in the feel of them really. Also the wheels on the pro I rode were supposedly quite a bit nicer.
Can anyone help me breakdown the two? Just wondering if I would be happy with the Expert after riding the Pro. Either way the Expert is a major jump from my current bike.
Last edited by Sommy; 10-12-08 at 03:45 PM.
10-12-08, 04:01 PM
#2
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You will be happy with the Expert, trust me....I've got an 08 and it's more then enough bike...
10-12-08, 08:10 PM
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The Expert for 09 has a 1 1/2" headtube that tapers down to 1 1/8". That'll improve the stiffness in the front end, but other than that it's the same frame. I like the Ultegra wheels more than the Fulcrum 5's as well. Get it, it's an amazing bike.
10-13-08, 05:12 AM
#6
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Didn't they shorten the head tube for 2009?... 2008s have an ungainly sized head tube.
10-13-08, 07:39 AM
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The Pro is about $1800 more. While a nicer bike, to me it's not worth the extra $ at this stage in my life. I think the Expert should be plenty of bike for me, only problem is I haven't ridden it yet. I've only ridden the Pro.
The headtube on the '09 Expert is supposedly wider than last year.
The headtube on the '09 Expert is supposedly wider than last year.
