Originally Posted by
mLuMaN83
Great info, thank you. I did just grab a cheap 90mm stem from my local bike shop to try, moved the stem down to the bottom of the stack and moved my seat back a bit. Seems to have a similar feel while getting the seat back to a more normal position.
I think I need to start with getting a fresh bike fit and go from there.
Ok, now you know the possible issue was prolly cockpit setup, not saddle setup... (possibly...)
changing the saddle setup and not considering the cockpit is a common issue...
it's hard to separate the saddle placement from the effect the cockpit placement, so the saddle often becomes the site of 'change', because it's easier (that changing stem or bars), but often isn;t the best option...
Bike 'Fit' ... often creates more questions... not answers...
My personal preference as relates to bike model changes or sizing changes - get some riding time on the bike model and size you are considering... with realization that the cockpit might not feel ideal and needs adjustment...
The Tarmac design is very stable - meaning very small changes over a period of years... My 2014 Tarmac is very similar to my 2023, they do ride a bit different because of the actual frame material and tube dimensions, but my position on both is almost identical...
If you can get onto a 52 Tarmac from the recent model years 2020, 21 or 22, similar level to SL8, you'll get a good feel for how a 2024 52 might feel/ride....
Ride On
Yuri