stevepeter83

Hi guys,

I've ever mentioned that I was interested in getting Tarmac S-Works SL3 bike but after reading and researching it seems that the Roubaix is smoother than the Tarmac? Is this right? The Roubaix - apparently - is not as stiff as the Tarmac (that's what they said).

What I'm looking for is a very smooth bike that will absorb as much sting as possible from pothole/uneven/hard surface. I live in Perth, WA south of the river and the path to city (where I work) is a bit bumpy. I'm currently riding Giant TCR Advanced 1 and it's vibrating a lot although it's carbon frame.

What's your take on those 3 bikes? People also say that Trek Madone 6.9SSL is the best of both worlds because it's smoother than Tarmac but stiffer than Roubaix.

Please do not answer with "You have to test them yourself to know what's best for you" because I don't have the luxury to test those bikes. The LBS around my suburb just don't have the bike in the shop unfortunately.


Thanks guys,
Steve

garysol1 

While the S-Works Roubaix is a bit more compliant than the SW Tarmac do not think that it is comfort bike. The S-Works version of the Roubaix is built with a very stiff and light carbon layup. I have owned both bikes and yes the Roubaix is more comfortable but I feel that it is more due to the taller front end and longer wheelbase than anything else. I have found that my tubeless road tires at 90psi have made a much bigger difference in ride quality than simply swapping frames ever did.

The S-W Roubaix is stiff enough for Boonen so I have to assume it is stiff enough for you and me and while I have not ridden the lower end Roubaix's all that much I do know the ride gets more compliant as you go down in the model line up but I have no way of quantitating that......

HMF

Specialized till I die. And I'd go with the Roubaix because that's what Spartacus used to solo all the way to victory in the toughest of the spring classics, which also happens to share the same name as the bike you should buy...

sbxx1985 

Then not the Madone.

I found the Roubaix too comfortable. BF Process of Elimination.

cmschmie

sbxx1985 

It's insightful posts like this one that make the BF Masses smarter.

WCroadie

Get the Madone

garysol1 

Care to elaborate??

svtmike

Get the Roubaix SL3 and don't look back if it's smoothness you're really after, especially if you're not willing to find a way to test ride them.

Blackdays

I might be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure the Roubaix's that Boonen and Cancellara used had completely different geometries than the one that's available to the public.

WCroadie

Any of those bikes will be fine. In fact, the bike he has will be fine, he can add carbon bars and stem if he wants to absorb more bumps, he can lower the tire pressure if he wants a softer ride. All that talk about certain bikes being uncomfortable is bs, if a bike fits properly it will be comfortable. I like a super stiff bike, I've ridden carbon and aluminum frames all day long on some shoddy Pennsylvania roads, both are comfortable for me cause they fit correctly. I have a Madone and a CAAD9, they are both stiff and comfortable.

I said get the Madone cause it's what I did. All of those bikes are fine.

svtmike

I'm pretty sure you're right -- they ride specials with a "team" geometry, which I think means it's got a shorter head tube than the standard issue Roubaix.

garysol1 

With the exception of Boonens one off frame a couple of years ago I am pretty sure the race frames are off the shelf models. The cost to make a mold for a monocoque frame is so expensive I do not think that rider specific frames are much done anymore but I could be wrong.... Wouldn't be the first time.

StanSeven

Come on. You know we argue here with emotions; not facts

RedWhiteandRed

Roubaix - not the s-works one. The expert is aces and the parts are cheap to replace. I am on my sixth chain on my Roubaix and very pleased.

I am a tad older, a tad heavier and a tad more arthritic than I would like and the Roubaix has been a life saver.

scirocco

When people talk about stiffness in a road bike they may not be talking about the ride quality - usually more to do with how much the bike responds under hard acceleration. Not necessarily the same as how it rides at constant speed. Make sure you're comparing apples with apples.

Like others have said, tyre pressure makes a huge difference to ride. Sure you haven't got them up at 130psi and you're only 65kg or something?. I ride the southern Perth PSP all the time and 99% of it is pretty smooth. Bumpy would be the Holmes Road descent from Maida Vale towards Forrestfield.

grwoolf

I can't speak to the s-works frames, but I've got a Tarmac (comp) and Roubaix (expert). Main difference from my standpoint is the handling. Tarmac wants to turn, Roubaix likes to track straight. If you ride/race a lot of technical areas, you might appreciate the Tarmac. Both are plenty comfortable with an edge to the Roubaix on chip seal and soaking up potholes, etc., I don't find the Tarmac harsh at all (but mine is not the s-works frame). I ride my roubaix 80+ percent of the time because I prefer the handling and the ride is marginally better.

I have the ride position set up identically on both, so the geometry is really just affecting the handling, not my power output or postion. One thing to look out on with the Roubaix is the huge head tube. You cant' get too much saddle to bar drop. I don't like a very agressive position and I still don't run any spacers and my stem is set for maximum drop. If you like a lot of drop, the Roubaix is probalby not a great choice. I almost went down a frame size when I bought my Roubaix, but it worked out to be a great fit.

caloso

Good post.

Short hand: Tarmac = crit bike; Roubaix = century bike

Ygduf

I like reading things like this because the more I'm told the roubaix is a century bike, the more I'm determined to race mine and do well. 99% of us don't steer either bike close enough to it's limits to notice the difference in the extra 1cm (or however much) of wheelbase. >.<

caloso

I'm not saying you can't race it well, just that it's a pretty comfy bike. Plus, if you take out all the spacers and use a -17 degree stem you're going to be as low or lower than a Tarmac with spacers and a -6 deg.

BarryJo

To the OP, I'm surprised you find the Giant TCR Advanced uncomfortable.
I have an 07 and I've always thought it was the 2nd smoothest bike I'd ever ridden (the first being my 07 S-Works Roubaix).
Until I bought my 09 TCR Advanced SL1 - that bike is butter.

If you're planning on racing I'd go with the Tarmac.
Spirited group rides, centuries, long days in the saddle, I'd go with the Roubaix. I haven't ridden the revamped Roubaix, but a friend was at Specialized dealer's convention this past summer, rode a lot of bikes (even rode with Mike Sinyard) and confirmed the '10 S-Works Roubaix is pretty sweet!

stevepeter83

BarryJo,

Thanks very much for your reply. I have tried Amira Elite (Ultegra) few weeks ago and that was a lot smoother than my TCR especially on rough roads. That bike - although it came with exact same group as my TCR Advanced - was $2K more expensive than my TCR so I'm assuming if I get the highend bikes (which costs a lot more), I will get even a lot more smoothness out of them or am I wrong?

I'm not doing road racing but riding centuries is what I'm interested in doing. I'm a beginner by the way and the longest I've ever ridden was 73km on ~28kmh speed which was not too bad but yeah....why I asked the question was because of my experience riding the Amira. That - seriously - felt so different. That bike was a lot smoother than mine.

FYI I'm using Continental GP4000s tyres and Selle SMP Extra saddle which is a lot more comfortable than the OOTB Fizik ARione. But even with these I'm still not too happy with my TCR. In terms of the riding position I'm fairly happy with the TCR. I actually prefer a higher riding position. I feel that I can ride quicker with that. I'm assuming if I get Madone/Tarmac I can always do the same? I know the Roubaix has already had a higher riding position.

So all in all....out of those 3 bikes I'm interested in...which one would suit me best? Grrr..if only the shops here have those bikes to test.


Cheers,
Steve

BarryJo

Honestly, if I were in your shoes (and I wish I was because I'd love the opportunity to chose between the Tarmac and Roubaix), knowing what I know from my bike shop buddy, I'd go with the Roubaix SL3.
It's going to be a lot more comfortable for the kind of riding you plan on doing.
And it's plenty fast.

Good luch with whatever bike you end up choosing

garysol1 

Is it time now for me to post a pic of my Roubaix and say how much I love it?

WCroadie

Nah