Why is Specialized Tarmac cheaper than Roubaix?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Why is Specialized Tarmac cheaper than Roubaix?
Hi all,
I've been looking for some good deals with nice discounts on Specialized Roubaix with disc brakes (size 54). But I see so many Tarmac on sale, and for much lower prices than the Roubaix.
Why is the Tarmac cheaper than the Roubaix? I thought the Tarmac's geometry is more aggressive and race-ready, and the Roubaix's is more relaxed and upright. What other differences can explain the price difference?
Thanks!
I've been looking for some good deals with nice discounts on Specialized Roubaix with disc brakes (size 54). But I see so many Tarmac on sale, and for much lower prices than the Roubaix.
Why is the Tarmac cheaper than the Roubaix? I thought the Tarmac's geometry is more aggressive and race-ready, and the Roubaix's is more relaxed and upright. What other differences can explain the price difference?
Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,862
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2951 Post(s)
Liked 3,092 Times
in
1,411 Posts
Huh. Weird. My Tarmac is the best all around race bike I’ve ever owned.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,856
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 821 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times
in
400 Posts
Where are you seeing the deals? The 2020 Roubaix is new, while the Tarmac is due for a refresh. Just prior to the 2020 Roubaix release in April, Specialized discounted the older models. And then just this month Spec dealers were taking 40% off all 2019 and older models. How much more of a deal are you looking to get, because you might have missed the boat there...
And they're both race-worthy bikes - Spec claims 7 wins at Paris-Roubaix.
And they're both race-worthy bikes - Spec claims 7 wins at Paris-Roubaix.
#5
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,432 Times
in
1,186 Posts
The Future Shock costs more than an solid steerer.

Likes For GlennR:
#6
Junior Member
Where are these good deals on a Tarmac? I’ve been looking around and so far only seeing about 10% off 2019 models (both local dealership and their website).
Likes For GoodNewsEvery1:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,226
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2901 Post(s)
Liked 2,125 Times
in
1,305 Posts
I think it's because Roubaix sounds cooler than Tarmac. Maybe if they had given the Tarmac a French name similar to Roubaix it would cost more. They should have named it the Pave. There you go. You could jack up the price all day long with it named Pave.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36,670
Mentioned: 206 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16947 Post(s)
Liked 12,471 Times
in
5,908 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 595
Bikes: Bianchi Oltre XR4 Celeste, De Rosa SK Pininfarina, Giant TCR SL, Giant Revolt Advanced Revolt 0 Gravel Bike, Trek Madone SLR, Cervelo R5 Disk
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 376 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
64 Posts
Old fat people with bad backs need high end bikes too.

#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,630
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 1,270 Times
in
484 Posts
In all seriousness, I would guess it's strictly based on what Specialized thinks they can get based on supply and demand. They may have a lot more Tarmacs than they have Roubaixs and therefore need to discount them more.
The future shock may also have something to do with it as it is something that is not found in a normal frame but I think it's just more likely that they have priced them with the goal of moving them all in a certain time frame.
The future shock may also have something to do with it as it is something that is not found in a normal frame but I think it's just more likely that they have priced them with the goal of moving them all in a certain time frame.
#17
Advocatus Diaboli
#19
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 11,178
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9200 Post(s)
Liked 5,100 Times
in
2,718 Posts
Likes For MoAlpha:
#21
bike whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,505
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1506 Post(s)
Liked 704 Times
in
499 Posts
Tell you what, I wouldn't mind an Obree.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
#22
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 11,178
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9200 Post(s)
Liked 5,100 Times
in
2,718 Posts
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi all,
I've been looking for some good deals with nice discounts on Specialized Roubaix with disc brakes (size 54). But I see so many Tarmac on sale, and for much lower prices than the Roubaix.
Why is the Tarmac cheaper than the Roubaix? I thought the Tarmac's geometry is more aggressive and race-ready, and the Roubaix's is more relaxed and upright. What other differences can explain the price difference?
Thanks!
I've been looking for some good deals with nice discounts on Specialized Roubaix with disc brakes (size 54). But I see so many Tarmac on sale, and for much lower prices than the Roubaix.
Why is the Tarmac cheaper than the Roubaix? I thought the Tarmac's geometry is more aggressive and race-ready, and the Roubaix's is more relaxed and upright. What other differences can explain the price difference?
Thanks!
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
But guys, the Future Shock was only introduced in 2019. I'm not necessarily looking at only 2019 bikes. A basic Roubaix with disc brakes still costs more than a Tarmac on average.
For those of you who have Tarmacs, how is the vertical compliance?
For those of you who have Tarmacs, how is the vertical compliance?