Disappointed in Specialized this year

[iRide]

Looking at the 2013 Specialized bike line up this year, I was daissapointed in the price-to-value ratios. I have a 2012 Tarmac Apex and I was looking at the Tarmac Rival. At 3000$ it has the same frame, minimal upgrades on the wheels and a 180$ up rage to the gruppo. A 1000$ price difference seems a bit excessive for minimal upgrades. Not sure what that's all about?

[ultraman6970]

Looks like the costs and probably people wants more money now?

The shoes have the same problem... they looks like flip flops now.

If you have like 2000 bucks to spend just get a BMC or a ridley.... are on sale big time right now. Totally different bikes than the tarmac tho, you might not like them.

[Jason E]

Were you considering upgrading? IF so, why not just spend on components instead of buying a new bike when you have a perfectly good bike.

New wheels. Bam, done.

[akelman]

Not sure what that's all about?

The price of doing business in China is going up. Get used to it.

[dancinkozmo]

...suicide nets dont grow on trees ya know....

[iRide]

Were you considering upgrading? IF so, why not just spend on components instead of buying a new bike when you have a perfectly good bike.

New wheels. Bam, done.

Well a new bike is necessary since my old bike is already too small so new components just won't cut it! Thanks though

[christian]

If you're still growing, get an Allez.

[beeatnik]

A 14 year old on Paceline?

There is hope for the future.

[54ny77]

iRide--scour the classifieds around here, if you're keen on Specialized, you can get yourself a nice Specialized complete bike (or just frame) that fits and blows away whatever you've got now in terms of overall package/value.

Heck, there's a pristine 54 cm Cannondale Super 6 on here with DA Di2 for less than the price of any of the models you just quoted.

There's even a CAAD9 frame in a 56 for $350!

It's a buyer's market.

And welcome aboard--great to see a junior rider on here!

[AgilisMerlin]

Well a new bike is necessary since my old bike is already too small so new components just won't cut it! Thanks though

So what's the bike that is too small

Buyers market and all?

Curious

[Black Dog]

Well a new bike is necessary since my old bike is already too small so new components just won't cut it! Thanks though

Are you growing or is the bike shrinking? ;)

[iRide]

So what's the bike that is too small

Buyers market and all?

Curious

Hi, the bike is a 2012 Tarmac Apex, but parents say I have to give it to my sister, sorry!

[MattTuck]

I can't say I'm impressed with the 'value' of many bikes lately. I got my current road bike 10 years ago, for $1,600, with full ultegra, decent wheels and a steel frame.

Now, ultegra itself is more than half of that price. And there's a whole bunch more you need before it is a rideable bike.

[iRide]

I can't say I'm impressed with the 'value' of many bikes lately. I got my current road bike 10 years ago, for $1,600, with full ultegra, decent wheels and a steel frame.

Now, ultegra itself is more than half of that price. And there's a whole bunch more you need before it is a rideable bike.

I agree! 2000$ for a full carbon bike isn't bad, but upwards from that the value just isn't there anymore

[false_Aest]

Looking at the 2013 Specialized bike line up this year, I was daissapointed in the price-to-value ratios. I have a 2012 Tarmac Apex and I was looking at the Tarmac Rival. At 3000$ it has the same frame, minimal upgrades on the wheels and a 180$ up rage to the gruppo. A 1000$ price difference seems a bit excessive for minimal upgrades. Not sure what that's all about?

But if you can't believe in marketing what can you believe in?!?!?

[BumbleBeeDave]

There's some smokin' deals on eBay. . .

BBD

[oldpotatoe]

Looking at the 2013 Specialized bike line up this year, I was daissapointed in the price-to-value ratios. I have a 2012 Tarmac Apex and I was looking at the Tarmac Rival. At 3000$ it has the same frame, minimal upgrades on the wheels and a 180$ up rage to the gruppo. A 1000$ price difference seems a bit excessive for minimal upgrades. Not sure what that's all about?

Get this-

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmacsportmidcompact

Better group. Rival-105, Force-ultegra, roughly.

or this-

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmacelitemidcompact

You won't be any slower with shimano 105.

[AgilisMerlin]

Hi, the bike is a 2012 Tarmac Apex, but parents say I have to give it to my sister, sorry!

what's the grown out of size ?

curious

just being comp/obsess

[iRide]

Get this-

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmacsportmidcompact

Better group. Rival-105, Force-ultegra, roughly.

or this-

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmacelitemidcompact

You won't be any slower with shimano 105.
Those are both nice, but not really an upgrade to my current bike

[559Rando]

I can't say I'm impressed with the 'value' of many bikes lately. I got my current road bike 10 years ago, for $1,600, with full ultegra, decent wheels and a steel frame.

Now, ultegra itself is more than half of that price. And there's a whole bunch more you need before it is a rideable bike.

What bike is that? Sounds like something I'd like to have one day.

Those are both nice, but not really an upgrade to my current bike

I'd call a bike that fits an upgrade to one that doesn't!

[iRide]

What bike is that? Sounds like something I'd like to have one day.



I'd call a bike that fits an upgrade to one that doesn't!

Haha yeah! But my bike is too small for me now

[4Rings6Stars]

Agree with what others have said, this is a buyer's market. ~$2500 can get you A LOT on the used market. Also, if you are still growing and will need to sell in a season or two, a higher end/unique bike (couple year old carbon Colnago or something) will hold its value better than a 1 year old off the rack Specialtrekodale...

[iRide]

Agree with what others have said, this is a buyer's market. ~$2500 can get you A LOT on the used market. Also, if you are still growing and will need to sell in a season or two, a higher end/unique bike (couple year old carbon Colnago or something) will hold its value better than a 1 year old off the rack Specialtrekodale...

True, but the time for a used bike would've been last year, this next one should be last size I need to get. So a new one is kind of necessary, and I'm kind of loyal to my lbs

[rnhood]

If you want to upgrade, then you should upgrade. Talk to your dealer and see what he will sell you this (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmacsl3expertmidcompact) for then buy it. You will not only upgrade, but you will have a bike that is knocking on the door of state of the art. 10 years from now it will still have few peers. I would call it darn good value.

[MattTuck]

What bike is that? Sounds like something I'd like to have one day.



http://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2002&Brand=LeMond&Model=Zurich#.UPSi6mcc2k8

List was over $2000, I got it as a last year's model. Hence the discount... 2000 still doesn't sound so bad.

[Gummee]

If you're still growing, get an Allez.

+1

If you're racing get an Allez too. Crashes happen

M

[oldpotatoe]

Those are both nice, but not really an upgrade to my current bike

"Well a new bike is necessary since my old bike is already too small so new components just won't cut it! Thanks though"

The bike is the fit and frame..not the shifters. What will a 'new' upgraded bike 'do' that the older one wouldn't? Besides fit ya better.

AND 105 is certainly an upgrade to apex...

[ofcounsel]

Sounds like you don't want any help figuring out what to get, as you seem set on purchasing an "upgrade" from your LBS.

So I will simply agree with you and say, yeah I don't know what the $1000 price difference is all about.

[Gummee]

Most (3 of 4) of my bikes are Rival mixes. The parts aren't slowing me down any. My fat arse is!

The other is bike is a Red mix. In hindsight, I shoulda stuck to Force, but you know how it goes sometimes. :nod The drooling gets the better of you and all of a sudden you have VERY expensive parts!

M

[buddybikes]

The wheels they are spec'ing on their new bikes don't come close to what the frames deserve. Think they assume people will just swap them out. 2000 gram wheels on a 3K bike just doesn't do it. Also the proprietary BB saying it is to beef up the stiffness, is just to deepen their pocket with their proprietary cranks. If they offered up SL4s with standard bb's, people bet they would sell 3 to 1.

One other gripe, their color, or lack of it, stinks. Tired of just looking at matte black bikes.

[christian]

If they offered up SL4s with standard bb's, people bet they would sell 3 to 1. They did a run of these for HTC-Highroad or whatever the last iteration of that team's name was. They seem to go for a premium on ebay. If I could find one in 56, I'd buy one.

[Gummee]

I don't get this obsession with uber light wheels that get used for training. I really don't. If you're JRA, what freaking difference does it make?!

M
32/32 wheels for training, thankyouverymuch

[oldpotatoe]

I don't get this obsession with uber light wheels that get used for training. I really don't. If you're JRA, what freaking difference does it make?!

M
32/32 wheels for training, thankyouverymuch

but, but, but those 600 grams saved is .6 of 1% weight savings!!

On the average bike and rider...

[jr59]

nm

[idragen]

You can always try to negotiate with your LBS. And if they offer some kind of lifetime service with new bike then I don't think it's that bad.

[srpetey]

Just wait for the right deal. I got my 2012 Tarmac Expert for $2100.