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-   -   THe new Rider first engineered Specialized Tarmac bike for 2015 (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/947977-new-rider-first-engineered-specialized-tarmac-bike-2015-a.html)

zvez 05-13-14 06:49 PM

THe new Rider first engineered Specialized Tarmac bike for 2015
 
So, specialized had this posted on the facebook page:

Specialized Bicycle Components

Redesigned Tarmac, specially appealing, they're going to offer a limited edition Mclaren engineering tarmac S-Works to be released during TdF. They issued a Mclaren bike a couple years ago I think.

This Tarmac has some interesting things on it. And you can get with disc or conventional brakes.


Chris

Garfield Cat 05-14-14 04:55 AM

Is it about the layups of the carbon fiber material more than the geometry? The tube shapes maybe? The thin walls or the similar tube shapes like in the Cervelo R5?

dvdslw 05-14-14 05:06 AM

Isn't it strange that the test riders are wearing "Giant" jersey's? I know its not the bike branding but still? The new bike looks pretty nice though.

Campag4life 05-14-14 05:13 AM

Much can be written in response the new rider first engineered bike for 2015. You guys have heard me say I believe that Specialized makes the best road bikes in the world. I do believe it owning one of their frames and riding others and belng around the brand. But this marketing concept that Specialized has hung their hat on for 2015 in concept is bogus if not flawed for a couple of reasons:

A. rider specific aka size/height/weight/power has been engineered into framesets...especially carbon for the last ten years by all top manufacturers
B. within a given frame size...lets take a 58 cm what I ride there is a huge disparity in rider weight...some in height...but in power as well. Lets call it a normal distribution. So a relatively weak and fat amateur if truly being rider specific would require a different frame than a top pro capable of 2000 watts and being much lighter. This has manifested for years in pros having custom frames with stiffness reinforcement because of their unusual power.
C. Above even plays into geometry. If there is a new rider first concept, it pertains to geometry. Two riders of the same size...but different proportion of inseam and flexibility will require a different geometry. This is addressed with endurance genre of bikes that Specialized invented.

So I call foul on this transparent marketing attempt as an sort of revolution or even evolution in bike design. It isn't. Every manufacturer has tailored frame flex of small to big frames based upon the different needs of rider size and weight. This has been happening for years. Does Specialized have the most advanced testing techniques based upon contracting such great companies like McClaren? Absolutely. But all Specialized is doing, which is formidable, is elevating the technical level of their road bikes...just like groupset and wheel manufacturers have and continue to do. But this new rider first 'theme' is misguided or a poor representation of their overall design effort.

Also what the video fails to explain is how the frame flex will be affected with the SL5 versus SL4. For example they said the 61 was too soft and the 52 was too stiff. Again this is based upon the load profile of a particular demographic of rider. Also, if stiffness is focused on cornering, this is placed as priority over ride quality and transmission of energy for maximum efficiency...they are all related. The overall equation is hugely complex to create the perfect bike but the point is the perfect bike is specific to each rider who buys one...not some statistical norm. If you read into the video, Specialized stiffened the 61 to improve corning speed and softened the 52. Let's take the 61 rider. The SL4 maybe a more perfect bike therefore for the weaker rider who doesn't carve turns at 6 sigma down a road course which most of us don't.
Also they said in the video that the difference between SL4 and SL5 was 1 kph..which is .5 mph...at what, maximum speed down a closed road course with a hundred repetitions? If you sent 10 good bike riders down the same course their speed would like vary by 4 mph or more. I never ride at that extreme personally because I never know how much sand is on the road when laying the bike over because I don't like the taste of asphalt so that 1/2 mph difference is nebulous...even if it applied to my rider signature that likely doesn't correlate to what Specialized used to develop the frame size I ride for example.

elcruxio 05-14-14 06:41 AM

Oh lawd... They have a S-Works disc brake model.... :innocent:

zvez 05-14-14 07:26 AM

So are discbrakes the way of the future on road bikes or just s short term fad? Specialized offers either disc or standard on this bike so maybe they're covering bases.

I'd like to demo a tarmac and see how different it is from my s-works roubaix. At my level it seems unlikely I'd discern a difference.
Chris

halfspeed 05-14-14 07:38 AM


Originally Posted by zvez (Post 16757472)
So are discbrakes the way of the future on road bikes or just s short term fad? Specialized offers either disc or standard on this bike so maybe they're covering bases.

I'd like to demo a tarmac and see how different it is from my s-works roubaix. At my level it seems unlikely I'd discern a difference.
Chris

It depends a great deal on what happens with the price and braking track on carbon rims.

Bacciagalupe 05-14-14 08:06 AM


Originally Posted by Garfield Cat (Post 16757184)
Is it about the layups of the carbon fiber material more than the geometry?

My guess is they tweaked the geometry for different sizes. They then called up the marketing department to see how they could sell it. ;)

Bacciagalupe 05-14-14 08:15 AM


Originally Posted by zvez (Post 16757472)
So are discbrakes the way of the future on road bikes or just s short term fad?

Rim brakes aren't going away. Disc brakes will just be another option.



I'd like to demo a tarmac and see how different it is from my s-works roubaix.
The Roubaix will ride smoother, the handling won't be as snappy. Some people will fit better on a Roubaix than a Tarmac.

WhyFi 05-14-14 08:23 AM


Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe (Post 16757596)
My guess is they tweaked the geometry for different sizes. They then called up the marketing department to see how they could sell it. ;)

Some manufacturers work with size-specific tubing to (supposedly) give different sized frames more appropriate compliance/stiffness for the person that they imagine will be riding it. It sounds like S was aiming for the same effect... and then having the marketing dept sell it.

merlinextraligh 05-14-14 08:32 AM


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16757502)
It depends a great deal on what happens with the UCI.

FTFY. Even though UCI regs aren't applicable to 99.99% of riders (heck not even 99% of racers), if the UCI doesn't allow discs to be used in UCI road events, discs won't become common on high end road bikes.

What the pros ride influences what we buy.

dvdslw 05-14-14 10:40 AM

Road disc makes too much sense not to be adopted by all who sanction and ride road bikes. Maybe it's an unfair advantage and or safety issue? I mean you get much improved stopping power which has proven itself in the mtb world, no carbon rim explosions from excessive heating of the brake surface, and a better looking set of wheels, especially aluminum wheels (no brake track). Seems to me Road Disc has taken the same approach as Road Tubeless, plenty of advantages to using the tech but not enough product and people willing to take the plunge.

rangerdavid 05-14-14 10:56 AM

Marketing ploy.

halfspeed 05-14-14 11:04 AM


Originally Posted by merlinextraligh (Post 16757660)
FTFY. Even though UCI regs aren't applicable to 99.99% of riders (heck not even 99% of racers), if the UCI doesn't allow discs to be used in UCI road events, discs won't become common on high end road bikes.

What the pros ride influences what we buy.

I suspect it's less important than you think. How much does your Wilier weigh? UCI restrictions don't seem to be preventing many people from riding sub 15 pound bikes. If there's a real market for road discs, and clearly Trek and Specialized think so, then we'll see them regardless of what the UCI says.

Young Version 05-14-14 11:21 AM


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16758182)
I suspect it's less important than you think. How much does your Wilier weigh? UCI restrictions don't seem to be preventing many people from riding sub 15 pound bikes. If there's a real market for road discs, and clearly Trek and Specialized think so, then we'll see them regardless of what the UCI says.

I think you're both partly right. I'm sure disc brakes will become more popular on road bikes, but they'll never become ubiquitous until the UCI allows them.

halfspeed 05-14-14 11:23 AM


Originally Posted by dvdslw (Post 16758108)
Road disc makes too much sense not to be adopted by all who sanction and ride road bikes. Maybe it's an unfair advantage and or safety issue? I mean you get much improved stopping power which has proven itself in the mtb world, no carbon rim explosions from excessive heating of the brake surface, and a better looking set of wheels, especially aluminum wheels (no brake track). Seems to me Road Disc has taken the same approach as Road Tubeless, plenty of advantages to using the tech but not enough product and people willing to take the plunge.

I think you're overstating the case. First, the biggest limiter in stopping power on road bikes is the contact patch of the tire and not the caliper. Second, as rotor size and brake design get optimized to road conditions and weight concerns differences in real world stopping power will shrink further. So that comes down to the carbon rim issue. And for that to be a big enough deal to create a mass market for discs, you need a mass market for carbon rims which means significantly reduced costs. Even if that does happen, carbon rim braking surfaces are improving at the same time. And the better carbon rims get at stopping and shedding heat, the less need there is for discs...

So the best scenario for road discs is that you'll pay a small weight penalty, a higher dollar cost and in return get a marginal improvement in braking.

merlinextraligh 05-14-14 11:30 AM


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16758182)
I suspect it's less important than you think. How much does your Wilier weigh? UCI restrictions don't seem to be preventing many people from riding sub 15 pound bikes. If there's a real market for road discs, and clearly Trek and Specialized think so, then we'll see them regardless of what the UCI says.

The buyers of high end road bikes buy what the Pro's ride. History shows that UCI illegal bikes don't sell, at least in large numbers.

Remember the TREK Y Foil? Back in the early 90's or so, there were a bunch of non diamond frame bikes being built. UCI said a bike had to have a diamond frame, and with the exception of some triathletes those bikes went away. Bikes are diamond frame bcause the UCI says they have to be.

Going further back, recumbents never got much main stream acceptance because the UCI says they aren't bikes.

In cyclocross, you didn't see disc brakes on cyclocross bikes in any number until the UCI approved disc brakes for cyclocross.

The UCI weight limit hasn't prevented the sale of bikes below the UCI weight limit. However, we still ride the same bikes the Pros ride; the pros just build them up heavier (adding weight as necessary to meet the UCI limit)

Ironically, if we end up with discs on road bikes, the UCI weight limit will be one of the drivers. Because the Pros have to ride bikes weighing 14.9lbs or more, they will add stuff that otherwise would be rejected due to weight. (might as well put a power meter on if your still below 14.9)

So, as long as the weight limit remains 14.9lbs, (and the UCI allows discs) there is no weight penalty to using disc brakes for the Pros. Thus many pro teams (and the their equipment sponsors) may very well go to discs, and we'll follow along because that's what we do, and what we'll be sold by the marketers. And we'll have the weight penalty.

No UCI weight limit, and it's unlikely Pros would use disc brakes on a regular basis, and No pro use, and most of us don't use them.

halfspeed 05-14-14 11:30 AM


Originally Posted by Young Version (Post 16758247)
I think you're both partly right. I'm sure disc brakes will become more popular on road bikes, but they'll never become ubiquitous until the UCI allows them.

What happens with USA Cycling is a much bigger deal. AFAIK, there's no rule against them.

Even so, you'll see what's already happening, road discs arriving en masse on "endurance" road bikes which really aren't meant to be raced anyway so they have even less need to adhere to race rules.

halfspeed 05-14-14 11:42 AM


Originally Posted by merlinextraligh (Post 16758277)
The buyers of high end road bikes buy what the Pro's ride. History shows that UCI illegal bikes don't sell, at least in large numbers.

Remember the TREK Y Foil? Back in the early 90's or so, there were a bunch of non diamond frame bikes being built. UCI said a bike had to have a diamond frame, and with the exception of some triathletes those bikes went away. Bikes are diamond frame bcause the UCI says they have to be.

Going further back, recumbents never got much main stream acceptance because the UCI says they aren't bikes.

In cyclocross, you didn't see disc brakes on cyclocross bikes in any number until the UCI approved disc brakes for cyclocross.

The UCI weight limit hasn't prevented the sale of bikes below the UCI weight limit. However, we still ride the same bikes the Pros ride; the pros just build them up heavier (adding weight as necessary to meet the UCI limit)

Ironically, if we end up with discs on road bikes, the UCI weight limit will be one of the drivers. Because the Pros have to ride bikes weighing 14.9lbs or more, they will add stuff that otherwise would be rejected due to weight. (might as well put a power meter on if your still below 14.9)

So, as long as the weight limit remains 14.9lbs, (and the UCI allows discs) there is no weight penalty to using disc brakes for the Pros. Thus many pro teams (and the their equipment sponsors) may very well go to discs, and we'll follow along because that's what we do, and what we'll be sold by the marketers. And we'll have the weight penalty.

No UCI weight limit, and it's unlikely Pros would use disc brakes on a regular basis, and No pro use, and most of us don't use them.

Oh, I'm famliar with that history but the market (and marketing) is different. Since Specialized discovered that you can sell CF Rivendell clones to geriatric weekend warriors, there's a bonanza of "endurance" road bikes which aren't intended to be ridden competitively. Disc brakes are a much easier sell on these, regardless of what UCI says and very possibly a big enough market to support many road disc options.

merlinextraligh 05-14-14 11:50 AM

^ Sale of endurance road bikes is definitely helped by Cancellera winning Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders on a Domane, and Boonen on a Roubaix.

I do think you're right that we'll likely see disc brakes to some degree on road bikes, even if they're UCI illegal, mostly in uses like you suggest.

I don't think they'll become the dominant manner of braking on road bikes unless the UCI allows them. UCI legal, and 14.9lb weight limit, I think you'll see most pro teams using them at least some of the time, and we'll follow right behind.

Looigi 05-14-14 12:11 PM

I have hydro discs on my mtb. They work great but can be a PITA. For me, it makes more sense to have rim brakes on my road bikes; simpler, fewer parts, lighter and more aero!

Campag4life 05-14-14 12:12 PM

I like tech but have to say, I am undecided on disk brakes on road bikes even though they are starting to appear. And I am a guy who likes disk brakes having owned a 29er with them...mechanical BB7 brakes and I believe they are great for that application. But I am undecided on road bikes.

Part of it is weight even though Merlin makes a compelling point about the UCI limit which I am never near. Also I am pretty insulated from the UCI affecting my buying decision although I do agree it may affect amateur racers...though wonder how many who own a Venge actually pin on a number. Second reason is cost..they cost more.
Third factor is aerodynamics...maybe miniscule but none the less perhaps not directionally correct. Next is the debate over contact patch and braking....I have locked up the front wheel before with caliper brakes and gone over the handlebars. :) And last point is...I believe the pros have different requirements than Joe average me because of racing in the peloton and high speed descending.

So as a pilot of even a geriatric CF Rivendell referenced which btw, I believe is the fastest bike for someone that is less flexible and older compared to a more aggressive geometry, I am not sure I would order a road bike with discs personally. I will add, to set rotor brakes up perfectly they are more fiddly than caliper brakes. Add hydraulic disk and a different level of complexity and cost.

Young Version 05-14-14 12:20 PM


Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 16758407)
I like tech but have to say, I am undecided on disk brakes on road bikes even though they are starting to appear. Am I am a guy who like disk brakes having owned a 29er with them...mechanical BB7 brakes and I believe they are great for that application. But I am undecided on road bikes.
Part of it is weight even though Merlin makes a compelling point about the UCI limit which I am never near. Second reason is cost..they cost more.
Third factor is aerodynamics...maybe miniscule but none the less perhaps not directionally correct. Second is the debate over contact patch and braking....I have locked up the front wheel before with caliper brakes and gone over the handlebars. :) And last point is...I believe the pros have different requirements that Joe average me because of racing in the Peloton and high speed descending.

So as a pilot of even a geriatric CF Rivendell referenced which btw, I believe is the fastest bike for someone that is less flexible and older compared to a more aggressive geometry, I am not sure I would order road bike with discs personally. I will add, to set rotor brakes up perfectly they are more fiddly than caliper brakes. Add hydraulic disk and a different level of complexity and cost.

There are two other factors that affect use of disc brakes by the pros:

-Brake rotors have sharp edges, and in a major pileup there's a potential for serious injury. Could this be overcome? Absolutely, but it requires some design revisions
-Right now, support vehicles have to think about whether a rider is using Shimano/SRAM or Campy and whether the rider is on 10 or 11 speed when providing spare wheels. Disc brakes vs rim brakes and 140mm vs 160mm rotor would only add to the confusion.

halfspeed 05-14-14 03:35 PM


Originally Posted by merlinextraligh (Post 16758330)
^ Sale of endurance road bikes is definitely helped by Cancellera winning Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders on a "Domane", and Boonen on a "Roubaix".

ftfy. The pros get special geometry on their versions of those bikes.


I do think you're right that we'll likely see disc brakes to some degree on road bikes, even if they're UCI illegal, mostly in uses like you suggest.

I don't think they'll become the dominant manner of braking on road bikes unless the UCI allows them. UCI legal, and 14.9lb weight limit, I think you'll see most pro teams using them at least some of the time, and we'll follow right behind.
Yeah, I'm not convinced they'll take over on race bikes any time soon. Not enough upside to make up for the downside. Haven't they been withdrawn from cyclocross rules?

mile2424 05-14-14 04:04 PM


Originally Posted by dvdslw (Post 16757198)
Isn't it strange that the test riders are wearing "Giant" jersey's? I know its not the bike branding but still? The new bike looks pretty nice though.

Those are California GIANT cycling team jersey's which Spesh sponsors...

Campag4life 05-14-14 05:44 PM


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16759072)
Yeah, I'm not convinced they'll take over on race bikes any time soon. Not enough upside to make up for the downside. Haven't they been withdrawn from cyclocross rules?

Comparing the utility of disk brakes on cyclocross with road bike application is like comparing apples to pumpkins.
There is a real benefit of disk brakes on cyclocross because riding conditions can be downright cruddy contaminating the wheel rim and dramatically reducing braking power of calipers. Plus the contact patch is bigger on cyclocross tires where stronger braking can be utilized.
I do agree with you that it will be slow climb to acceptance on race bikes. I also believe in the context of road bikes, road disk brakes have a way to go in compactness, weight and development. There time may come in the future but believe it will be a while.

RJM 05-14-14 06:01 PM


Originally Posted by dvdslw (Post 16758108)
Road disc makes too much sense not to be adopted by all who sanction and ride road bikes. Maybe it's an unfair advantage and or safety issue? I mean you get much improved stopping power which has proven itself in the mtb world, no carbon rim explosions from excessive heating of the brake surface, and a better looking set of wheels, especially aluminum wheels (no brake track). Seems to me Road Disc has taken the same approach as Road Tubeless, plenty of advantages to using the tech but not enough product and people willing to take the plunge.

I don't honestly think they make all that much sense on a road bike...maybe when the roadies are riding 700x38 tires, or something with a bigger contact patch than some 120 psi 700x23.


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16758305)
Since Specialized discovered that you can sell CF Rivendell clones to geriatric weekend warriors, there's a bonanza of "endurance" road bikes which aren't intended to be ridden competitively.

Now that is funny. :roflmao2:

Campag4life 05-14-14 06:12 PM


Originally Posted by RJM (Post 16759442)
I don't honestly think they make all that much sense on a road bike...maybe when the roadies are riding 700x38 tires, or something with a bigger contact patch than some 120 psi 700x23.



Now that is funny. :roflmao2:

Specialized is laughing all the way to the bank. The only thing that Specialized copied for the Roubaix is the geometry of the Rivendell in terms of three point contact and that isn't even quite right. Grant has been right since the beginning as most that ride road bikes are nothing like top racers. Other than that, there is no comparison. On topic, marketing cuts both ways. I believe Rivendell sells their customers a bill of goods. You obviously take exception but Roubaix outsell Rivendells probably 5 to 1 and for good reason.

halfspeed 05-14-14 06:51 PM


Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 16759411)
Comparing the utility of disk brakes on cyclocross with road bike application is like comparing apples to pumpkins.

That's not actually what I was doing but I can see how you could have interpreted it that way. The point was that allowing discs for CX was supposed to be the first step towards allowing them for road as well. Now, IIRC, UCI has changed the rules back to no discs for CX. If the UCI is backing away from discs in CX where there's a stronger argument for them, it doesn't bode well for allowing them in road racing.


There is a real benefit of disk brakes on cyclocross because riding conditions can be downright cruddy contaminating the wheel rim and dramatically reducing braking power of calipers. Plus the contact patch is bigger on cyclocross tires where stronger braking can be utilized.
I do agree with you that it will be slow climb to acceptance on race bikes. I also believe in the context of road bikes, road disk brakes have a way to go in compactness, weight and development. There time may come in the future but believe it will be a while.
I don't think there is any question that you'll see road discs. They're already here. Whether or not they make the jump from "endurance" bikes to performance bikes is a whole different question.

Bacciagalupe 05-14-14 06:57 PM


Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 16759072)
ftfy. The pros get special geometry on their versions of those bikes.

I think Boonen and maybe Cancellara get custom geometry, but they're the only ones (afaik).



Yeah, I'm not convinced they'll take over on race bikes any time soon. Not enough upside to make up for the downside. Haven't they been withdrawn from cyclocross rules?
Disc are allowed in cyclocross. From what I've gathered (and I'm not an expert), in some 'cross conditions disc is better, in others rim brakes are better.

The UCI is reviewing it for road races, to figure out if the equipment is up to snuff. However, several bike manufacturers are clearly not waiting for the UCI -- a move that makes sense, since UCI regs are irrelevant to huge swaths of their customers.


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