rufus

u-g-l-y, it ain't got no alibi, it's ugly, yeah, i say ugly.

not a fan of sloping top tubes, but this, is pretty.

ulmer

I think the regular S-Works is around 1100-1150g and the Comp/Expert/Pro frames are around 1300g. Specialized has a PDF about their carbon fiber bikes that you can download from the product pages on their web site and it has the weights.

The Tarmac looks much better in person and is a great ride!

brooklyn

i like it

SilentShifter

I like everything about that bike (paint, colors, shape, wheels) except the curved top tube, it just looks hideous. Makes it look too much like a cruiser or comfort bike.

Does that curve do much anyways?

Mariner Fan

The design has left me cold but sometimes it will grow on you. It does catch the eye though!

jbhowat

I like the S-Works E5. Supposedly stiffer. Sure Levi won in Germany on the Tarmac, but Cippo won Worlds on this:



That frame, Campy componentry, Deda Newton bars and stem, Speedplay X/1s, SLR Saddle, Deep V wheels. = my next bike.

Cromulent

I love the S-Works. And I agree that it's even prettier in person.

vchu7105

I just ordered a Tarmac Comp 06. I ordered it with a compact crank, the Crank is much better then the stock 105 Crank. It is a carbon crank.

OC Roadie

I have to say that the Tarmac has grown on me. When I first saw them, I thought they were ugly and hated the top tube. I've really grown to like the looks of the bike, especially the Gerolsteiner and SL models. Everyone I've met that rides one, absolutely loves it. I might see one as my next frame in the distant future.

cydewaze

I like the Tarmac. I like the Merckx too. I even like the E5!

I like em all!!

pcastlouis

I am also a fan of the Tarmac. I came close to buying one (I still might in the future), but I chose the Roubaix instead because it does not seem as stiff.

Old Gammy Leg

I have an S-Works E5 Tarmac frame in my room, waiting to built up with Campy Centaur or Chorus. The bottom half is E5 aluminum, and the top half is carbon, with the curved top tube. It is beautiful, and the quality of the construction is just fantastic. If it rides as good as it looks I'm gonna be very happy!

EdZ

Thats a decent deal. Tarmac's realy are race bikes. Roubaix are more comfort, so if your an old geeser who doesnt race, get a roubaix.

thewalrus

That's 3K after tax? $2750-2800 for the bike? I think its MSRP was $3500 in spring of 2005...

Here's the 2005 Tarmac Pro in their archive:

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...&bikeTab=story

that sounds like a pretty good deal to me for full carbon + full dura-ace except the brakes. oddly the bike in the photo has a FSA (SL-K?) crankset, but the spec page lists it with a Dura Ace 7800 53/39 crank.

$3k is around the price range of a Felt F1C... or a few other full d/a bikes. The Felt doesn't come with Ksyrium Elites, however.

thewalrus

Or get a Roubaix, put a zero-rise stem on it and race it! For a $3k bike you can probably get the LBS to swap stems for free before purchase if you want a more 'aero' position.

Nashville Man

I've looked at the S-Works team issue at my local LBS. They had it almost hidden in the back, along the bottom of the wall behind a row of a bunch of cruisers. I'm not sure why. I would have it front and center as you walk in the shop. Maybe they didn't want it to be too visual from the windows.

I really like the geometry. The slope looks fast to me, nothing at all like a cruiser. I'm not too sure about a white seat and white tape though.

A somewhat local team (Krystal) rides S-Works bikes. I wouldn't complain if they wanted me to join and made me ride one!

thewalrus

White Specialized bar tape - first thing I'm changing on my bike, it hasn't got quite dirty enough yet to swap.. going for black cork tape.

White saddle - the aftermarket toupe (top end Specialized saddle) is available in Black. You might be able to get a LBS to swap the white saddle for black if Specialized can give them a 1:1 trade.

OC Roadie

+1
I don't know where the "Roubaix's are for old geezers" stereotype came from. Mine has about 4 inches of drop from saddle to bars, is comfortable, and gets raced frequently

MacMan

E5 is the best frame they ever built. But then I have one (built up a NOS 2003 frame this year) so I'm biased. I was doing a shade over 50 mph downhill in a race this year and the bike was as solid as a rock - never even a moment when I felt anxious even at the bottom of the hill round a right-hand curve. Living in Illinois and not being a pro, that was fast to me. I just can't see a better bike than this. It's light, fast as all hell and solid. Plus I've done a few 100+ mile rides on it and it is perfectly comfortable. I rode the LBS owner's S-Works Tarmac and I was happy to get back on my E5. That frame at $1100 retail is still a steal.

Geoff326

i like the roubaix and allez more

Sprocket Man

I was taught that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

KrisPistofferson

I like them.

thumper224

The more that I see them, the more that traditional looking frames look odd. This is the future.

merlinextraligh

it's the thick seat tube extending above the curved top tube that is incongruent, and kills the beach cruiser visual line.

dekalbSTEEL

I agree! (and before you say flip it, I have it set up this way just for the trainer, as My girlfriend and I both use it indoors)