Jumped in the deep end of road cycling!!!
 

hey guys,

i really wanted to get into the sport and deceided to get a good starter bike. I am happy to say i bought a new specialized tarmac elite with 105 components all around and of course my carbon clip on aeros for my tri! i decided against a full tri-bike because i wanted something more versatile. I was just wondering if anyone had any good or bad things to say about the tarmac and any input or insider knowledge on anything i may have over looked! thanks in advance!

you already made the purchase, why bother telling you it was a bad one? enjoy your bike and ride! then decide the 105 components are slowing you down and upgrade it!

Yah, lose the aero bars.

Unless you're doing a Tri...never use those aerobars. Ever! Especially in a group. It's a fallacy.

Jesus, I wish a Tarmac was my starter bike.

I'm on my second Tarmac. Love this bike, can't wait for a third!

I'm thinking my next bike will be a Tarmac Expert.

Only thing I don't like is that the Double version only comes in Blue, while the Compact Version comes in Red. I really like the Team Carbon Red, but want a Double on my next bike. Why can't they offer both colors in both versions? I mean, it is the same frame.

Get the shop to switch the crank out?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Congrats! That is a heck of a starter bike!

rubbish. the 105 components are not slowing you down at all...

i'm not faster by any statistical significance on my sram red equipped look 595 than i am on my sram rival equipped specialized roubaix.

the tarmac is a crazy awesome first bike, for sure! enjoy it! good luck in your tri and have fun on road rides!!! :)

Flip it.

the day 105 components slow you down is the day someone pays you to ride their bikes anyway.

The trolls are getting more subtle.

Any good LBS will swap it out for you. Tell them youwant that colour with the different components, shouldn't be a problem.

Bad advice. At least the part about never using the tri bars. Sure, if you are in a group, don't use them. But when you are on solo rides, you need to use them, at least the majority of the time, to get used to the feel. You wouldn't want your first tri to be the first time you used your tri bars.

You might find some animosity from some members of the road cycling forum towards tri bars and triathletes in general. Try asking some questions in the tri forum area as well, or go to one of the tri specific forums (www.slowtwitch.com or www.beginnertriathlete.com) if you have tri specific questions. Otherwise, bike forums is great for cycling questions and information.

People, he was joking!

throw it down

hey guys i appreciate all the advice! i have heard that the tarmac is a pretty awesome starter bike but im blessed to be able to spend the money on a good one. i did not want to buy an allez or trek 1.2 and then kick myself for not getting something full carbon. either way those aero bars are enjoyable for me. I do triathlons because they are extremely fun! why cant triathletes and road cyclist be friends!?!?!?! lol

Have a 2008 Specialized Tarmac Expert. I bought it after a 15 year lay-off from cycling. I couldn't be happier. Enjoy!!!

im definitely enjoying it.. i think it was a great decision and in my limited knowledge i couldnt be happier.. maybe WAY down the road ill upgrade to something really nice but for now im completely content!

Did you get a fast color?

[QUOTE=TheSerge;8247521 why cant triathletes and road cyclist be friends!?!?!?! lol[/QUOTE]

because tri's in groups ride like jits.

whoever said the 105s are going to slow you down is missing something. enjoy the ride. but yes, keep those aero bars for tris, tts or your solo rides.
i would like to say that unless you are enjoying riding frames and components handed to you at the behest of a generous sponsor or team mech, you will not really find much of a difference between quality/performance that is significant between 105 and ultegra-DA, but i am sure i will be pilloried by every baying member of this forum with a scythe and plenty of carbon.
that said...upgrade your bits!

VERY nice starter bike.

Now go ride.

I've gone off the deep end of road cycling.

Who's with me?