Choice of 3 specialized road bikes

[Whiz]

Hi, looking for advice / opinion on which of the three to buy on c2w scheme.
Haven't ridden bike for 10 years, looking to do 12 mile round commute 5 days a week and if I get into riding, possibly weekend rides. Not sure about group / club riding.
The bikes;
2014 Allez Sport. A1 alu frame, carbon forks, sora groupset for £750
2013 Secteur Elite, A1 alu frame, carbon forks, tiagra groupset for £750
2013 TARMAC, 8r carbon frame, carbon forks, sora groupset for £880.

Leaning towards tarmac because could upgrade to better components if wanted but resale value better too if didn't like riding?

What do people think?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have the 2010 Secteur elite and I love it, I find i has a more relaxed geometry compared with some road bikes which I like. I thought that the tarmac and the allez geometry was less relaxed in comparison.

 

[Globalti]

Go for the Tarmac and enjoy the light weight and the ride of carbon. My cycling buddy has just bought a Tarmac SL4 elite after years on a steel Pinarello and is blown away by it.

 

[Whiz]

My thinking is the tarmac is the same frame that is on the £2.5k SL2 so must be good even if components aren't top drawer although perfectly adequate for a newbie.
Whereas the other frames are just standard alu frames for a grand so can't improve?

 

[Cyclist33]

It might not be *quite* as good a frame but I doubt you'd be disappointed.

I would go for the Tarmac hands down but as has been said, the Secteur is more relaxed geometrically and that might suit what you want from a ride. Can you get test rides??

Stu

 

[jack smith]

the secteur is the most relaxed, so if you just want comfort go for that one, ive got the allez and done it up and love it to bits, it is more of a racier geometry , but personally i would go for the tarmac if you want performance.

but if its comfort for the commute go with the secteur

 

[Globalti]

Ask Mr Haematocrit; he's the expert on Specialized bikes.

My opinion: metal as a frame material has hit the development buffers. OK, manufacturers might be able to refine the ride in some subtle way with a different alloy or by hydroforming or whatever but the happening material right now is carbon fibre and the development that is happening is rapid. I have a 2006 Roubaix, which is a great bike but fairly dull. I have a 2013 Roubaix, which is 8r carbon and handles far, far better thanks to the frame design. I also have a 2014 Roubaix SL4 and the difference between the three bikes is remarkable and clear even to an amateur like me. The SL4 handles like a dream, absolutely rock-steady in turns and has an amazing feeling of sharpness and contact with the road yet remains super-comfortable even over worn out top dressing riding on stiff Ksyrium wheels with the tyres at 100lbs. I can't see how Specialized can ever improve on that but I'm sure the SL5, if it comes, will be even better after one more year of carbon fibre development.

Go for the carbon bike and be part of the future.

 

[L14M]

Tarmac all the way!

 

[MrGrumpy]

for the price differential, the Tarmac for sure but don`t count on a high resale value neither.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The assumption that the Secteur is more comfortable than the Tarmac is not one I share, although it has a more relaxed geometry the 8r Tarmac is more compliant than the Secteur and rides better IMHO.
I would personally take the Allez Sport as its a fantastic little frame set, it's stiff and features razor sharp handling it does however lack the comfort and finesse of the Tarmac which is what I would buy if comfort was a consideration.
For commuting duty alone the Secteur's relaxed geometry makes sense and is a great bike, but its just not a bike that personally makes me smile. It's perfectly good at what it does but its like a Vauxhall motor car... It's OK but you never dream of owning one or really enjoy driving one.

 

[LimeBurn]

Secteur if you want comfort, tarmac otherwise - cant really see the point of the allez being an option when the prices are similar, as far as I know the tarmac and allez share virtually the same geometry anyway so its all down to the carbon frame vs aluminium.

 

[jowwy]

Tarmac all the way

You know it makes sense.

 

[Whiz]

Thanks guys.
You've pretty much confirmed my thoughts... And spent £880 of my budget lol
Although I only end up paying about £600 through the c2w so even better deal for a bike you wouldn't normally be able to get due to the £1200 rrp :-)

 

[L14M]

You'll love it!
Read the commute guide on here!

 

[Whiz]

Just got asked a very good question.. . What about winter?
I won't be buying a second bike and right in thinking none of these accept mudguards or anything?
Hmmm