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Six13 vs. Tarmac vs. Soloist

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Six13 vs. Tarmac vs. Soloist

Old 01-23-08, 04:07 PM
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plmul8357
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Six13 vs. Tarmac vs. Soloist

I'm taking the plunge and buying a bike this weekend, haven't tested them yet. LBS recommended the following:

$1,800 2007 Cannondale Six13 Team 3
$1,750 2007 Specialized Tarmac Comp
$2,000 2007 Cervelo Soloist Team

Thoughts? Good deal on the prices? I plan on riding the hell out of it and foresee myself riding centuries well before I ride crits or other races, which means I'm leaning toward the Tarmac. Any thoughts or things to look for are appreciated.
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Old 01-23-08, 04:09 PM
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Can you tell us what components are on each bike? If I were looking for a century bike though I doubt any of those would be on my short list.
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Old 01-23-08, 04:14 PM
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I think 105's on the Cdale and Tarmac, Ultegra for the Soloist

If you plan on doing crits, go with alum just in case you crash, meaning the soloist is on top of that list.
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Old 01-23-08, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jsigone
I think 105's on the Cdale and Tarmac, Ultegra for the Soloist

If you plan on doing crits, go with alum just in case you crash, meaning the soloist is on top of that list.

You really think thinwall alum holds up better than carbon in a crash?
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Old 01-23-08, 04:59 PM
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+1 Bent aluminum can be just as bad as cracked carbon.
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Old 01-23-08, 05:17 PM
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To the OP....I am sure you have read this before but ride them. I ride a Specialized and it fits me like a glove. I owned a Cervelo previously and no matter what we did I could not get that bike to fit me well.
Looking at your list the Tarmac will give the nicest ride and still be crit stiff. That would be my vote. I have ridden the Soloist and it is STIFF. Not what I would want to ride 100 miles on but you could. The Six13 I have never ridden but I find it very appealing looking.
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Old 01-23-08, 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by esammuli
+1 Bent aluminum can be just as bad as cracked carbon.
This may be true.... but Al is MUCH easier to repair and costs less to do so.......
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Old 01-23-08, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Bike enthusiast
This may be true.... but Al is MUCH easier to repair and costs less to do so.......
Calfee is cheap enough so that the repair price shouldn't be a mitigating factor.
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Old 01-23-08, 06:02 PM
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I recently test rode the Six13 1 and the Specialized Tarmac Expert. I went with the Tarmac. I have no experience with the Soloist.
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Old 01-23-08, 08:34 PM
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I have a soloist and love it. I have to agree with one of the previous posts though, it is a VERY stiff frame. After puchasing mine I wasn't ready for how stiff the frame really is, I test rode it, but not on any rought pavement. To combat the rough ride I just invested in a good set of tires with a reasonably soft compound, a good saddle and a nice pair of bibs. All that made a difference, but it wasn't huge.

If I were you I would try riding all of them and go with whatever felt the best. Components can always be upgraded or changed later. Also consider the shop and how good of a fit they provide with the purchase or if they provide one at all.

Good luck
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Old 01-23-08, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by wfrogge
You really think thinwall alum holds up better than carbon in a crash?
i don't think it's a matter of durability as much as it is cost. if cost is the issue, then the soloist would be a very poor choice given that it is a complete and total rip-off.
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Old 01-24-08, 12:27 AM
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soloist
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Old 01-24-08, 01:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Chucklehead
i don't think it's a matter of durability as much as it is cost. if cost is the issue, then the soloist would be a very poor choice given that it is a complete and total rip-off.
why would you say that?
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Old 01-24-08, 01:58 AM
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Originally Posted by plmul8357
and foresee myself riding centuries well before I ride crits or other races, which means I'm leaning toward the Tarmac.
look at the Roubaix.
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Old 01-24-08, 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Edonis13
look at the Roubaix.
second that, the roubaix is a better bet for long haul performance. and aren't some pros racing on the specialized roubaix?
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Old 01-24-08, 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted by rockabilly808
why would you say that?
$1100 for an aluminum frame.
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Old 01-24-08, 02:38 AM
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Old 01-24-08, 06:15 AM
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Tarmac!

Soloist for a close second.
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Old 01-24-08, 07:20 AM
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six13
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Old 01-24-08, 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by nescafe
six13
I love these answers. Any chance you people can quantify your answers? six13 why?
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Old 01-24-08, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Bike enthusiast
This may be true.... but Al is MUCH easier to repair and costs less to do so.......
How do you repair aluminum?

It is not like lugged steel where a tube can be replaced.
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Old 01-24-08, 08:56 AM
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How about a carbon Synapse?
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Old 01-24-08, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by garysol1
To the OP....I am sure you have read this before but ride them. I ride a Specialized and it fits me like a glove. I owned a Cervelo previously and no matter what we did I could not get that bike to fit me well.
Looking at your list the Tarmac will give the nicest ride and still be crit stiff. That would be my vote. I have ridden the Soloist and it is STIFF. Not what I would want to ride 100 miles on but you could. The Six13 I have never ridden but I find it very appealing looking.
To counter this... my Soloist is the best fitting bike I've ever owned. Much better than my previous Pinarello or Specialized. Each person is different for fit - try them all and see which one works best for you.

I'd go Soloist for the upgrade in components as well.

And for the other post that says the Soloist is very stiff and is a rough ride... I don't agree at all. Well, maybe it's stiff, but it rides fantastic. It is not at all a rough ride. Gorgeous bike.

All are good choices, but I'd go with what fits well first, what rides well second and what components are on it (what are you going to want to upgrade 'right away').

in that case, me it was Cervelo (fit), Cervelo (ride) and Cervelo (upgraded Ultegra over 105).

Good luck with the purchase!!
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Old 01-24-08, 09:24 AM
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Got to check out the Bikes Direct option:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._08instock.htm

Carbon, DuraAce, 16.5 pounds...
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Old 01-24-08, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Edonis13
look at the Roubaix.

The Roubaix would be excellent for long rides/centuries, but I think the handling would be just a tad sluggish for a crit. I don't know the geometry of the tarmac, so I can't comment on it. The Soloist is a very stiff frame, but $2000 for an Ultegra equipped aluminum bike to me is a little much for me. The Cdale's are super stiff, light, and comfortable enough for longer rides. Plus the pricing is more reasonable to me. $1300 for a full 105 CAAD9. Much more comfortable frame and with the extra $700, you can have Troy Watson (Ligero Wheels) build you a very light set of durable wheels.
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