grwoolf

Another Tarmac owner here after debating the same decision. I've had mine about 4 mths and over 2k miles. I'd agree with others that the Tarmac can be set up very similar to the Roubaix fit and that I couldn't tell a significant difference in dampening. The most noticable difference for me was the handling. I really liked it on the test ride and it was noticably more responsive. I normally like that, but it does feel a little twitchy at times, especially when I'm tired at the end of a long ride. I'm also running a shorter stem, so that is a contributing factor to the quick steering.

siberian

Hey all, thanks so far for the helpful and insightful replies. I sincerely appreciate it! A few of you suggested that since I am not racing that I should automatically rule out the Tarmac and just get the Roubaix. While to some extent I can understand the reasoning behind that, but is that the "Specialized Brochure Marketing" saying that or is this based on personal experience? I know the Tarmac is built and marketed towards the race oriented rider, but what's to say a guy who wants to just ride for fitness and not compete can't also be happy on the bike? Remember we're talking about the Tarmac elite here, not the S-works. I'm not knocking the advice you gave me... like I said, I do appreciate all of the sincere input you have all given!

Others have suggested to ride both and decide. Well, I have ridden both. Numerous times in fact. And I like them both for different reasons. I have gotten both to be pretty comfortable in terms of riding position (based on different setups and frame sizes)... but I haven't gotten either set up to be "perfect" yet. That is where this next part comes in....

So I called the owner of the bike shop tonight (he's the fit specialist there also), and made an appointment for Thursday to spend some time on the trainer fitting the Tarmac up (properly) to see if we can dial it in correctly for me. Here's the cool part... I explained to him how I am on the fence between the Roubaix and Tarmac, and he completely understands where I am coming from. And with that, I also made him aware that there's a chance we may spend time fitting this bike and if it doesn't ultimately work out, that I would just hold off and wait a few more months to save up the money to get the Roubaix, and he was totally fine with that. I think that's pretty cool of him knowing he may be sort of wasting his time this Thursday and not make a sale that day. But I assured him that either way, I'm buying a bike from him. I really think there's a value in building a relationship with your LBS. I've been in there so many times in the past several months that there's a good rapport building up.

Also, as a token to show my appreciation for his time investment, I am going to at least buy a pair of cycling shoes no matter what. I don't own a pair currently, and he suggested that if we are going to do a fit, that I might want to bring the shoes I plan to ride with. So I'll at least get the shoes regardless of whether or not I buy the bike this week.

So there's no pressure to have to buy this Tarmac if we find that the Roubaix fits me better. Either way, this guy is getting my business. It's just a matter of being this week, or a couple months from now. So we'll see what happens... I'm not going to get carried away and caught up in the moment and make a rash decision if I'm not 100% completely comfortable with the bike after fine-tuning the fit. I'll keep a level head and wait it out if I need to. It would be nice to spend $900 less and have more $$ for accessories, but if I spend more later on, I'll live with that too.

Oh, and one other thing... I explained to him about how I felt good on a 58 Tarmac, and a 56 Roubaix... and being about the same size as I am, he told me that he owns both, and he too rides a 56 roubaix and 58 Tarmac for similar reasons that I mentioned. So in doing a fitting, I really believe he understands exactly what I'm looking for.

SMH707

I just built an '08 Tarmac S-Works SL (10R carbon) and have put roughly 2500 miles on it in 2009 (so far). For a while this summer, I was riding metric centuries (60 - 70 miles) every Saturday, and up to 200 miles a week (actually, I'm still riding 45 - 60 miles each Sat as the weather allows).

The Tarmac hasn't been harsh or uncomfortable in my opinion. I have no qualms whatsoever about riding a century on it-though I didn't do it this summer. Also, I did this on the Toupe saddle--which I love, btw (rode a Avatar saddle before).

My wife owns a Roubaix ('08, expert 6R carbon) in the same size I ride. I've set her bike up to fit me and have ridden it 45+ miles. Honestly, it feels too 'dead' for me--and doesn't feel as fast either (nor is it).

Originally I too was torn between the Tarmac & Roubaix--I don't regret my decision whatsoever. If comfort of the frame is your concern, don't worry about it--it's comfy enough.

Either model you choose, make sure the fit is right or neither will be comfortable for a century.

petalpower

I have a 2010 Tarmac Elite, and it's my first road bike.

I ride 40+ miles, 3 times per week with no issues.

Took a few weeks to get used to the saddle, and now I'm quite happy with it.

umd

I ride 100+ miles frequently on my Tarmac SL2 (and previously my Tarmac SL) with no issues, as well as a few 200 mile rides. Can a Tarmac be comfortable on long rides? Of course. Would a Roubaix be more comfortable? Possibly.

Fullforce

This might sound crazy, but I road a hybrid for 20 years because I was told repeatedly in bike shops that hybrids were way more comfy than road bikes. Well, eventually, "the engine" improved to the point that I was starting to spin out in my top gears on my hybrid, so I went to my LBS determined to get a bike that could go faster because I was starting to get bored (I had never had a flat in 20 years on my hybrid, about 50 - 100 miles a week, every week). Anyway, I was steered to the Madone 4.5, Cannondale Synapse & System 6, Specialized Roubaix & Tarmac Comp. For me, I LOVED the position on the road bikes, and I LOVED the standard double (53/39) on the Tarmac; I really loved THE SPEED on the Tarmac. I came down to the two bikes you are considering, and I simply felt that the Tarmac felt like a rocket, while the Roubaix felt like my steel hybrid in terms of ride and speed. I ended up riding the two bikes back-to-back for two solid days, six hours each day (it was rather tiring, but fantastic!). I bought the Tarmac, and 3 months later, I still love the Tarmac (although I have already had a flat). I bought a 56, and I had to go to a longer stem because I was having some neck soreness, but now: nothing. And this is how I feel after long, fast rides: absolutely refreshed! The road is often very bumpy, and your body feels the road, but miraculously at the end of even long rides, there is absolutely no discomfort, none. So this is why the Tarmac rules for me, and I suspect that you really want one two. Get a Porsche instead of a Mercedes and never look back!

eippo1

Sounds like you have a pretty good deal with your LBS. Good stuff. That said, I own the '10 Tarmac Comp with Rival and it rides amazingly well. It rides much nicer than either of my old aluminum race bikes which I rode many centuries on. I didn't feel beat up on either of those either, but definitely prefer the feel of the Tarmac.
Also, I tend to like more aggressive bikes and hate being upright.

gtofan

Here's another perspective...it's not a direct comparison but the best I can come up with.

I cannot think of anyone who wouldn't be pleased by a base Z51 vette, but the Z06 is a little more but it seems to excel only at the limits...slightly quicker, handles a little better, and stops a little better, but who's going to use all that extra performance legally, and the ride is softer with the Z51

Same with the Tarmac and Ruby, if I had more time and had to do this all over and given i'm not going to race the Tarmac....I would prob opt for the Ruby comp and put a lightweight set of custom wheels on it to give it back the snappiness of the Tarmac.

As far as 58/56cm between the two, I rode both in 56 and the Ruby fits the way it should, wouldn't consider the different sizes and I think you are getting a false sense of the two bikes when you change the size...maybe you want the Tarmac stance in the Ruby or vice-versa.

With the stem in the same position your elbows should be bent the same (I would think anyway) and your overall angle will likely be more relaxed on the Ruby..at least that's the way I learned it.

If my direct input on the Ruby is as snappy as the Tarmac with a custom wheelset minus the turning differences.....then I may lean toward the Rubaix.

Such a tough choice though.

StanSeven

It's also rare for someone to admit, even to themselves, they made a mistake with a purchase (unless a lot of time has passed). Few Tarmac owners will say they should have gotten a Roubaix or vice versa.

Prolene

My Tarmac SL with Roval Star wheels is harsh on chip seal. The newer Tarmacs seem to advertise more vertical compliance.

DataJunkie

I have been perfectly comfortable on my Tarmac for 165 miles. That is as comfortable as one can be on a 165 mile ride.
Sorry but I purchased the correct bike for me. I also run a fairly decent saddle to bar drop.

azwhelan

The two biggest differences between the bike are the longer head tube and wheel base on the Roubaix. I think the zertz thingys are more gimmick than anything else. The funny thing is that most Tarmacs I see have enough spacers to cancel out any difference in head tube length. So it really comes down to the wheel base which plenty of people here have commented on the handling differences they feel with the Tarmac. So I would base your decision on which bike handles they way you are most comfortable with and since you don't plan on racing the Roubaix makes more sense but it all comes down to personal preference. On paper the Roubaix makes more sense for the majority of the cycling population but when you throw in the "race bike" factor I think more people end up leaning towards the Tarmac.

Greg180

Ditto, same bike same wheels. I also own a Roubaix. The Roubaix is my go to bike for long rides through the country side when there is no need other than to spin and breathe.

DonDenver

Yes, reading a little between the lines “woulda, shoulda, coulda” here…similar to the annual feedback with those who have a lower r level in their Spec CF frame.

While I don’t particularly appreciate the Spec “innovate or die” marketing mantra the Spec LBS remains my happy place right on my biking route which has provided me rides on all levels of Tarmacs and Roubaix models including the new SL3.

Yes you can race both bikes and yes you can long haul both bikes. However, the unique geo of each bike will scream the obvious at speed with just the difference in wheelbase length. Otherwise, if you are riding in the huge overlap of these machines it becomes a personal preference of a "feel" or "look" you’re purchasing.

But make no mistake; for near equal competitive engines riding at the limit you’ll win on the Tarmac but feel fresher with less pee breaks on the Roubaix…period. Sum: If your primary field of vision is the next wheel = Tarmac. If your primary field of vision is a broader view of cross traffic on your long and bumpy route = Roubaix.

meanwhile

Zertz is marketing bs. If you want effective damping for longer rides buy a bike that can fit 28mm tyres.

meanwhile

+1

Zertz = bs; wheelbase = reality. Longer chainstays make a bike less twitchy (for good and bad) and mean that the seat and BB will experience less upwards movement riding over the same bump.

knobster

These questions are impossible to answer without any given bias. I've owned a Roubaix and it was great on long rides. My opinion about this question is that the Roubaixx would be forgiving enough for someone with poor fitness and flexibility to enjoy longer rides without much discomfort. The Tarmac will be less forgiving of poor fitness and flexibility. A fit rider that has good flexibility will probably find the Tarmac more comfortable and probably more fun on longer rides than the Roubaix. For me, I ride only on the weekends and my fitness level isn't great. The Roubaix was perfect for me.

Edsplace

I too came from a twenty year mtb background; XC FreeRide for the most part. One can't help but develop some decent bike handling skills in that time. I've also been a recreational skier for 40-something years. That being said, I like going fast. Never been a racer and never will be but I appreciate the Tarmac for it's descending on mountain roads at 55 mph.

I'm a little under 5'8" with a 31 1/2" inseam. I bought my Tarmac Expert new in '06. The frame is a 54. It's the first road bike I've owned since a Schwinn Le Tour I bought new in the 70's.

It's been 3 full seasons now and I've nothing to compare it against other than the Roubaix and a comparable Trek I tested prior to purchasing.

Like anything, you make adjustments to the fit and get used to what you ride .

My stem is 90 mm. I messed around with the angle for a couple seasons and settled on an upright position. My saddle is a Terry Buzz Off. It works for me. Current tires are Michelin Krylion 25c. After running through a few sets of PR2's and PR3's, Specialized Mondos and Conti 4000's -- all 23c's -- I like the 25c ride. The impact due to weight and wind resistance is negligible on the Krylion 25c. Not so good on the PR2 25c.

The first couple seasons out, I spent 90% of my time on the hoods. This season, I spent more time in the drops as my stomach got smaller and flexibility improved.

I've ridden a few centuries on it without issue.

jdon

Having ridden both, I find I am less fatigued after long rides (century) on the Roubaix. It just absorbs vibration better. The Tarmac is a great bike though. Depends what you want.

curiouskid55

If you really want to show apreciation to a shop take em a sixer of Belgian ale.

RoboCheme

Yep, no one yet has said "Gee, I can't ride over 20 miles because my body aches; I should have bought the Roubaix"

FR4NCH1SE

If I were you I would buy the Roubaix, Tarmac was made for racing! Roubaix was made for endurance/centuries, I read in your post that you want this for centuries, so you basically answered your own question, the Zerts make a good difference in road vibration, I road a lower end specialized seqouia with them, and let me tell you I felt like I was floating on cloud 9, no vibration. I like endurance rides more than gear grinding "racing", so I would buy a Roubaix, but boy oh boy 2k+ for a bike, I cant afford that.

DonDenver

These bikes don’t compete with one another but one or the other will win on a particular course

These bikes don’t differentiate fitness level of their rider but will reward a fitter rider

These bikes equally equipped; a Tarmac in a headwind but a Roubaix spinning up a mountain

Fit, feel, the deal and where you’ll tip from the shared middle ground of these two calls it.

Perhaps Tom Boonen had the right solution with that Specialized s-works FrankenTarmacRoubaixZertz-cycle for the ’08 & ’09 cobble wins…now get that rig into production and save us all these decisions

Kurogashi

wait.. so you're down paying on a bike and get to ride it and then pay off the rest in a few months?
sry im a bit confused about what you said, but if that's true, thats pretty awesome

siberian

Not exactly... If I get the Tarmac, I'd get it this week cuz I have enough cash on hand to get it now (it's several hundred dollars cheaper because it's an 08 on clearance marked down significantly from original price). If the Tarmac doesn't work out, then I'll be waiting until a couple months from now when I have more cash and then get the more expensive Roubaix, which I would have to order new.