Looking ahead

[Cycling Dan]

Right now that i have everyone with that ambigous threat name
Im looking to get a new bike but im not sure which one i want out of the three
I currently have a focus variado 2.0
Im looking at either the
1:Specialized Tarmac Elite

2: Specialized Venge Comp

3:Specialized Venge Expert

I'm not sure if to play it cheap and get the Tarmac or gun it and get the Venge. Money in this case is not an issue for me but i'm not sure if I should spend that bit extra.
Anyone have any of theses bikes

 

[Canrider]

Apart the carbon frame, is the Tarmac really all that different from what you have now?

 

[Cycling Dan]

Apart the carbon frame, is the Tarmac really all that different from what you have now?

No not really but expensive as it is I like change.If I could my recycle rate would be about 5 or so a year but I can only do it maybe 1 a year or 2 years which is supported by selling my old and upgrading. Which is why i may spend a bit more. Bit more of a tech difference.

 

[Milzy]

Something that's not specialized.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Something that's not specialized.

ha, NO

 

[Milzy]

ha, NO

You're such a fan girl.

 

[redcard]

I would be tempted to go for the Venge Comp just because of the colour scheme. Ultimately I'd go for the sensible option which is a Ribble R872 with monster speccage, rather than the average wheels and average groupsets you get from Specialized.

 

[Cycling Dan]

I would be tempted to go for the Venge Comp just because of the colour scheme. Ultimately I'd go for the sensible option which is a Ribble R872 with monster speccage, rather than the average wheels and average groupsets you get from Specialized.

That bike is sexy as fark.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Anyone have any of theses bikes

I have a couple of Venge's and a Tarmac, even though the bikes share the same geometry the characteristics are very very different. If you have any specific questions about the bikes I will try to answer them based on my experiences.

Discount the Venge comp though, it's basically lacking and the component choice is so compromised it ruins the bike

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The tarmac is super stiff, it responds to any input exceptionally well. It is a bike with class and finesse and climbs incredibly well... The tarmac is a bike which many buyers discount because you don't get people raving on about it, likewise though its hard to find anyone who has owned a tarmac say a bad word about it.
The reason for this is that the bike is really so together, its comfortable, climbs well, turns in great... I would consider the Tarmac to be one of the best all round bikes in the world at the moment..... but and its a big but, the Tarmac is just not exciting.

The Venge is an insane bike, a total nutters bike, every pot hole makes it feel like your fillings are coming out. On the right day when the wind is playing the areo advantage, it screams at you to go faster and faster. The Venge responds instantly and almost violently to input and changes of direction, it tests how far and how fast you want to go, then asks if that is all you have..... Every ride is an experience on the Venge and its grins all the way.
Having said that, the Venge has no class, its harsh and almost thug like, and its not exceptional at climbing (not bad, but its not in tarmac class) but my goodness is it insanely fun.

You can live happily with a Tarmac, it is comfortable, while the Venge is like the girlfriend who you really know is a little crazy and has no place in your life, but the excitement keeps you going back for more.

 

[Cycling Dan]

The tarmac is super stiff, it responds to any input exceptionally well. It is a bike with class and finesse and climbs incredibly well... The tarmac is a bike which many buyers discount because you don't get people raving on about it, likewise though its hard to find anyone who has owned a tarmac say a bad word about it.
The reason for this is that the bike is really so together, its comfortable, climbs well, turns in great... I would consider the Tarmac to be one of the best all round bikes in the world at the moment..... but and its a big but, the Tarmac is just not exciting.

The Venge is an insane bike, a total nutters bike, every pot hole makes it feel like your fillings are coming out. On the right day when the wind is playing the areo advantage, it screams at you to go faster and faster. The Venge responds violently to input and changes of direction and tests how far you want to go... Every ride is an experience on the Venge and its grins all the way.
Having said that, the Venge has no class, its harsh and almost thug like, and its not exceptional at climbing (not bad, but its not in tarmac class) but my goodness is it insanely fun.

You can live happily with a Tarmac, it is comfortable, while the Venge is like the girlfriend who you really know is a little crazy and has no place in your life, but the excitement keeps you going back for more.

Sounds like I need to buy both. When life gets a bit stale with the tarmac give the venge a ride ha.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Sounds like I need to buy both. When life gets a bit stale with the tarmac give the venge a ride ha.

That's why I have both, if I'm heading for the hills or doing reasonably paced social rides the Tarmac comes out, every other opportunity the Venge calls me.

 

[Broadside]

I bought a 2013 Tarmac Sport five weeks ago after riding a Specialized Secteur Sport for the last three years. My oh my what a difference and to say I am pleased with it is a huge understatement. My riding pals are a bit non-plus'd with my choice but I went for the Tarmac after a fair amount of test riding on other bikes and the experience on the Tarmac is a real step change. It is a bit quicker than the Secteur on the flats and downhill but climbing is where the real difference comes in, the frame stiffness means that it just leaps up hills, hills that I used to find tough I now view as fairly easy, the climbing ability really is amazing but I would still describe it as a very comfortable bike over long distances, no less comfy than the Secteur which is a mile muncher.

I don't know anything about the variado or the venge having never ridden either but as a solid very quick carbon bike at reasonable money I think the Tarmac is a great option.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I bought a 2013 Tarmac Sport five weeks ago after riding a Specialized Secteur ....

Is this the one you have...?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tarmac-sport-2013-road-bike-ec040972

Im thinking of trying a tarmac next (Currently riding a Secteur and Roubaix).

Im a bit of a chubster (5`11, 15.5 stone)...Im going to have to see about a test ride to see if the belly gets in the way.

 

[Broadside]

Is this the one you have...?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tarmac-sport-2013-road-bike-ec040972

Yes that's the one. I've put Michelin Pro 4 Service Course tyres on mine pretty much straight after buying it but apart from that it is standard.

The saddle essentially has no padding which I thought might be a problem but I got used to it after the first 50 or so miles, now I am perfectly happy to ride all day on it.