BimmerSF

Hi guys, i am new on this forum, so thank you all in advance!

i just started biking to work, about 7 miles commute one way.
i have bought 2013 Specialize Tarmac, that retailed for 2100 i got it for about 1600$

now i want to get 2015 Specialize diverge Elite, retails for 1400 for about 1200 and i am wondering,

is it worth to downgrade?
you might be asking why.... i think Tarmac is a great bike, but its too stiff for me and i want to ride gravel here in the SF Golden Gate park and on tarmac, i know i cant. on Diverge i can do that. i like the looks a lot more.

let me know what you guys think.

thanks!

DirtRoadRunner

A Tarmac would not be a good commuter - I would definitely switched bikes, based on the type of riding you want to do. The Tarmac is a fast, stiff road bike and just isn't suited for gravel or even commuting. The Diverge is a much more versatile bike - or even consider the AWOL, which is more off-road and touring friendly.

LGHT

I have a tarmac and I love commuting on it. However like you noticed it's stiff, fast, and made to be raced. Most of my "commute" I treat like a time trial and I go for speed and track my segments on strava. It's not just a way to get to work for me it's a way to get my FTP up. If you ride your commute like that it's the perfect bike. However if you want to sit straight up, cruise and just take in the roses I would go with an AWOL. The diverge is more of a hybrid and probably too stiff and "racy" for someone who wants to commute a few miles a day.

BimmerSF

Thanks guys!
yeah leaning towards Diverge.. rode it and if you compare cars... it feels like a BMW compared to a Porsche
ii do drive fast most of the times, but i just started biking "first time" in my life and just honestly dont feel comfortable. reason why i got the Tarmac, is i just had a crazy good deal... but now realizing that should have done a little research.

re Price:
200 and no taxes off MSRP is a good deal? 1400 MSRP and I am thinking of picking it up for 1200 out the door.

af2nr

What I have noticed more times than not is that the lower the MSRP of the bike it seems the less room there is to discount it. I have gotten much more off MSRP on bikes in the 3-5K range than any below 2K, and if you get below 1K it's even less. This has been my experience, others may have seen differently? Just using your numbers and the 10% sales tax here it looks like you would be getting about 20% off the cost with either bike?

BimmerSF

sounds about right. well its the same numbers, for example 10% off 1400 or 10% off 4000 bike, seems like a greate deal and the number is bigger, BUT its the exact same ratio....

but yes, so i am saving about 20% on the Diverge, and i think i am selling mine at the same price i bought it at.