I've been suffering with my 2011 Specialized Tarmac Elite since last December. As you know I've swapped several components trying to make it as comfortable as my Litespeed. It's close but not there yet.
Today I went to a bike shop where a friend works because they're having a big sale, trying to get rid of the 2011 stock. I told them about the Tarmac (they also sell Specialized). The manager told me that the sales person at the other shop didn't do me any favors. The Tarmac is better suited for fast rides, racing, etc. That's not me.
Anyway, I went to test ride a Felt F5 -- the bike I wanted last December when I ended up with the Specialized. Felt had a recall at the time and no bikes were available in my size or price range.

<EDIT> The shop manager recommended the Z5 over the F5. He said it was a more comfortable ride. Was he hinting that I'm old? </EDIT>

They didn't have a Z5 in my size so I test rode a Z4. Wow, was it love --- or was it lust? I really liked it. The shop manager said he'd call Felt on Monday to see if they have the Z5 in my size in stock. When I got home I told my wife about the bike, the Z4/Z5 thing, etc. She said, "Just get the bike you like." Gotta love her!
I called the shop manager and told him I'd be there tomorrow (the shop was closing in about 5 minutes) to test ride the Z4 with my bibs, pedals, and shoes. If it feels WONDERFUL it'll be coming home with me.


Any Z4 or Z5 owners who can offer their 2 cents?

I have a grad student friend at the local Uni that had a Z5 until the frame broke and Felt replaced it with the Z4. He's a big guy, think offensive lineman big boned 240#, and he loves his bike. He breaks lots of gear, crank arms, wheels, frames, so don't think it was a Felt issue. He likes the higher position, tends to ride a short cockpit even though he is my height or taller. The guy can climb too for as big as he is so the bike doesn't seem to hold him back.

I think your wife is right. I also agree with the comment about the shop where you bought the Tarmac not doing you any favors. Finally, I think that had they sold you a Roubaix instead of a Tarmac, you would have been a happy camper from the start.

Never ridden a Tarmac but it does sound as though it has not done you any favours.

Test that Z4 and unless the F5 is available in your size- get it. I know the Z5 should be better spec and is probably worth waiting for but if that means waiting 6 months- get the bike that works for you now.

The Roubaix was out of my price range when I bought the Tarmac. This was my first venture into CF and I wanted to keep the price at $2000 or less.

The deed is done! N+1 is such a terrible disorder.

I went back to the shop today to do a proper test ride with bike shorts and my pedals and shoes. I did a 20 minute ride around the neighborhood. I gave it two thumbs up. They put the bike on the trainer and after about 45 minutes of fit adjustments it was ready to go.
It's now in the place of honor -- next to my Litespeed. As soon as we have a sunny day (today has been the first non-sunny day in weeks) I'll take a few pics and post them.

From your complaints about the Tarmac, I'd conclude that any Felt F-series bike would not resolve your issues. I love Felts, but the Fs have a seriously low head tube (lower than your Tarmac) and a longish top tube. That equals aggressive riding position.

Hey, the Z-series is made for guys like you, guys who'd be on a Roubaix but are too pissed at the Specialized dealer to go back.

Not a Z4 or Z5, but I really like my Felt ZC frameset (built w/ Sram drivetrain and wheels and "fit" parts I had on hand). I've been using it for two full seasons now and it is working really well. I had a more aggressive frame before that (Cannondale CAAD7) that I got to fit me OK, but with the Z I was able to get a better fit, and got there without using extreme rise stem. I really can't tell you if the CF, as a material, is actually more comfortable than the Cannondale aluminum (I had upgraded with really nice fork, and well-fitting bars, stem, saddle, seatpost, all of which I transferred over to the Z) because the fit is just a little better. The Z is definitately more comfortable and even with the slightly more upright position, I feel (and objectively seem to ride) a little faster and just feel better in the long run.

?? The Roubaix Elite should have had the same price as the Tarmac Elite. Maybe it was a question of which models were available at the time you were looking. Regardless, it seems you found a bike that works for you. That is a nice thing to find.

I test rode Z5s and Z6s (no Z4s) and loved them both. I would have bought one had it not been for personal economic circumstances at the time.