Bike Setup: Stock 105 with Ultegra rear derailer, Train on the stock wheels and race on AM Classic 420's. Changed all the bolts to Probolt Ti/Alu.
Summary: I looked long and hard at all the competition before I chose the Tarmac Comp Double. It's in Gerolsteiner blue, and looks superb. I love the way the carbon catches the sun, and the bike gets loads of looks in traffic! It is nice and stiff, snaps forward when you hit the pedals. This bike begs to be ridden. Obviously the carbon and zerts do their jobs nicely, I usually ride long stints and I dont get any fatigue from the vibration.
Strengths: It's stiff and light, easily upgradeable, but in this price range it's superb value. 105 group performs flawlessly. Stunning looks. Geometry works very well. Even the Stock Toupé saddle is awesome, although it looks like it will torture you. I even bought a spare! take a little getting used to but once it's working it fits well. It climbs like it's on steroids. Stock tires corner well, but take some getting used to as well with their slightly different profile.
Weaknesses: Stock wheels are heavy, but make good trainers.Would have been nice to have Ultegra group as found on the Giant TCR and Felt F4 and even the Scott, in the same price range, but the frame's quality overshadows those by far.
Similar Products Used: Silverback Arizona, 2 years of occasional riding/racing. Also Demo'ed the Roubaix, and the Giant TCR1. Roubaix was super numb, no road "noise" at all. Giant was Ok but looks boring.
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Bike Setup: 105/Ultegra components, F-RC700 compact crank, Mavic SL3 wheels, Fizik Arione saddle, Ultegra 6620 pedals
Summary: Purchased used but with only about 100 miles. Completely stock with Speedplay X5 pedals. Rides wonderfully. Stiff on the climbs with little vibration. Feels numb compared to my steel bike, but I like the feel.
Strengths: Stiff, relatively light, looks sharp in black with sliver trim, Zertz material seems to work well, 105/Ultegra mix seems to work well.
Weaknesses: Not superlight, stock wheelset Alex A-330 not great for climbing, hard to clamp to Park workstand from seatpost because part of seat tube extends beyond top tube.
Similar Products Used: Trek 5200, Giant TCR2
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Bike Setup: Stock frame, fork, bar, stem, seat post, Fizik Arione saddle, 2005 Campy Record Carbon group other then new veloce brake calipers, Torelli Bormio wheels, Specialized comp pro tires...
Summary: Bought the bike but swapped out parts with the dealer... put 2005 Campy Record group, Torelli Bormio wheels, Fizik Arione seat instead..
This is not my main ride, but it is my first full Carbon bike and being 6'1" 205lbs I waa a little worried. My main ride is a Seven Elium.. I spend a lot of time down in Miami and was tired of going back and forth with my bike in a bike case, bought this one to leave down there.
Miami is flat riding other then going over a bridge or two. I only have about 150 miles so far, but I can say that I am pleased.. I may update the wheels but won't make a decision until I have 1000 miles on them.
Rode 3 days in a row... 2 of them in big packs... bike handled really well even if I needed to get comfortable with having less bike under me.. did some slight sprinting on the group rides and the response was pretty good. In a big pack doing 31+mph the bike tracked well and was stable.
All in all this is a pretty good frame and I am looking forward to receiving my 2008 Tarmac SL2 and building it up before the spring.
Strengths: Stiff but comfortable
Weaknesses: I upgraded the stock components, but if not i would of said they were a weakness.
Bike Setup: Stock (Shimano 105, Mavic Aksium Wheels, Fizik Arione)
Summary: Excellent Bike. I was originally a carbon skeptic as I'm a 200 pounder (the low fat kind) and I like to think I can whale on the cranks. The frame is stiff through and through and I'm still surprised at how well the bike supports my weight and efforts. Super stiff bottom bracket is as responsive as any bike I've ever ridden. My basis for comparison was a Cervelo Soloist Team I rode around in the 30 minutes prior to trying out the Tarmac, and the aluminum P3 that I've owned for three years now. I'm a big Cervelo fan, but given the quality of the bike and the price, I couldn't look away, and I certainly haven't been disappointed. This is a great starter bike for me with a solid frame and entry level components.
Strengths: Super stiff frame with smooth ride. "Zertz" inserts or carbon frame must be absorbing all the road vibrations to make it a lot more forgiving than my aluminum bike. Doesn't take away from the stiffness though. I've taken mine on some nasty climbs and some 50+ mph descents and the bike has been completely stable. No flex or give in the frame whatsoever.
Weaknesses: Stock equipment could be better. Wheels (Aksium's) feel a little heavy, plus they came with a random black disk on the rear cassette that I had to cut away. I have no idea what the purpose of the plastic thing was but it was ugly and unnecessary. Shimano 105 has been unimpressive. Upgrades for that are definitely planned. I suppose that's what the "expert" and "pro" models are for though. The stock seat was hard on my backside too. I've had a better experience with a Fizik Arione. As impressed as I've been with the frame, the components left something to be desired... but I guess you get what you pay for. I'm still not impressed with the value equation for Ultegra or Dura Ace though. It would have been nice to have a choice of Campy or SRAM at the time of purchase.
Bike Setup: 56" frame, 105 Group with Ultegra rear derailer. DT-Swiss 1450 wheels, Specialized 'Pro' line of stem and bars. Toupe seat and Speedplay pedals
Summary: Wow what a bike! I have been riding tri specific (Zipp, Softride) for years and figured I needed a 'real' road bike for group rides if I was ever going to become a better rider. I enjoy time trials and hill climbing. Tri bikes are not suited for the later. When I bought the bike the wheels were Mavic Aksium. I read the reviews and wasn't happy with the weight, reliability or customer service from Mavic. My LBS helped out and worked an exchange for a set of DT-Swiss 1450s and took over a pound off the bike! It now weighs 17+lbs. The bike does, as many reviews have suggested, "corners like it is on rails". Very responsive and solid geometry make it a joy to ride.
Strengths: I love the carbon frame and most of the components are top notch. The Ultegra rear derailer is a nice touch to the 105 group. The bike looks great too (which is important ;) The Toupe seat is much more comfortable than it looks and there is no need to swap it out. The frame with the 'zerts' abosorbs a ton of vibration on chip sealed roads, yet it is super stiff and climbs great. The only thing it does better is handle.
Weaknesses: Obviously the Aksium wheelset would have been a weekness, but we fixed that. The 105 shifters don't click as smooth as higher line but at this price point it's acceptable. The 56 frame comes with 44cm bars. They take some getting used to. I would save the larger 44cm bars for maybe a 58" or longer frame.
Similar Products Used: Trek and Bianchi (both steel frames), and a gob of tri bikes.
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