Trickle down technology - where products keep getting better and/or less expensive – it works for automobiles, electronics and it certainly works for bikes. I just got off the best bike for the money I’ve had the pleasure of riding and it’s all due to trickle down technology. I’m still in a little bit of shock. Yesterday, I did an 80-mile ride on a $6,000 bike; today I rode an almost equally competent one that cost only $2,200.
The Specialized Tarmac Comp is an outrageously good bike for the money, perhaps the best available. For $2,200 you get a well designed and made, great looking, all carbon frameset made from very high quality carbon. Next you get the unbelievably good Shimano 105 10 speed drivetrain. The impressive list continues with a set of Mavic’s brand new Aksium Race wheels. Specialized completes the bike with a number of its excellent components highlighted by the Pave’ FACT carbon seatpost with Zertz insert.
The only component I didn't care for was the Body Geometry Alias saddle primarily due to the color (it’s a personal thing I have against white saddles). Moreover, like all other experienced cyclists, I have a favorite saddle that I must use on every bike. Because my road saddle is mounted to a Use Alien carbon seatpost (which is perhaps the most difficult seatpost to mount a saddle to), I swapped out both the seatpost and saddle. Additionally, since the stock stem was a little long, I swapped it for a Specialized S-Works carbon stem. Everything else on the bike was stock. I’ve included a picture of the bike I am riding which also includes a set of Look Keo’ pedals and Profile carbon bottle cages.
The Tarmac Comp is lively, responsive, quick and comfortable with very confident handling. It is perhaps the most entertaining ride I’ve ever experienced on an all carbon frameset. Its liveliness reminds me of a good steel ride, but with kick in the pants acceleration. The entire time I was riding the bike I was shocked at how much fun it is to ride. This bike would thoroughly satisfy many different riders straight out of the box. It can be raced on Saturday and then used for a long, comfortable cruise on Sunday.
Shimano’s new 105 10-speed is absolutely the best drivetrain parts for the money I’ve ever used. Dura Ace is smoother as you would expect and lighter too, but 105 shifting has only a slight increase in vibration and noise. Interestingly, one of the few criticisms of Dura Ace 10-speed is that its shifts are sometimes imperceptible (leveled by Campy aficionados no doubt). While this doesn’t bother me, some riders may actually prefer feeling the shifts. Regardless, if you’re on a budget, definitely go with either 105 or Ultegra and save the rest for something else.
Mavic’s new Aksium Race wheels are both good looking and nice riding. Yes, they’re heavy at almost 2000g, but unless you do a good deal of climbing or sprinting for the finish line, you’ll only appreciate their fine handling and ride. Mavic builds some of the highest quality wheels on the planet and the Aksiums should provide you with outstanding service for an extended period of time. If the Aksiums aren’t quite up to your idea of race wheels, then with all the loot you save on this bike, you could certainly buy a fantastic set. I think Topolino V39s would look great on this bike and would be perfect for dual use in road racing and triathlons. In fact, I may put my V39s on just to find out. Race wheels, though, while improving responsiveness, quickness and handling, will definitely reduce the impressive liveliness and comfort found in the stock set-up.
If I were going to keep this bike and use it in fast group rides or races, I would swap the saddle (although Specialized makes some excellent saddles, few people keep the saddle supplied with a new bike) and likely swap the tires out for some Tufo tubular clinchers (although the stock tires have a very nice ride and good grip). Please note, though, that I would swap the saddle and tires on practically every complete bike available because the right saddle is so critical to one's comfort on a bike and I have the utmost confidence in the wet and dry handling of Tufo tires (I also enjoy not having flats - see here).
The Tarmac Comp frameset is a less expensive version of Specialized’s all out race machine – the S-Works Tarmac. Specialized is famous for allowing its frame technology to trickle down to its less expensive bikes. In fact, it proudly boasts in its ’06 catalog that:
“The fallout of our continual drive to improve design and technology at the high end is that all of our bikes are always getting better. When you look at our Allez family of bikes this year, they’re better than our S-Works from just a few years ago.”
No doubt that’s true – Specialized is committed to trickle down technology and so are Shimano and Mavic. Shimano’s 105 10-speed is better than its Dura-Ace 9-speed of just a few years ago and is almost as good as Dura-Ace 10-speed. Mavic’s Aksium Race wheels can also compete with any wheelset it has made over the last few years except the Ksyrium SLs. With the exception of the Ksyrium SLs, the primary difference between other Mavic road wheels is the weight, not the handling, ride and/or quality.
With the Tarmac Comp, you benefit from trickle down technology from three of the best companies in cycling. Most importantly, you get twice the bike for the money you would have just a few years ago. This bike is definitely worth every penny you pay for it and then some.
KDG