I cannot decide on what model to go for. :(
Hello, I decided to upgrade my current and first road bike Specialized Allez 2020 rim brake workhorse (which is rolling on Hunt Aero Wide wheels if that's important 28mm roadsport tires) for something more comfortable. Sadly I'm limited by the rim brakes on the tire size and looks like upgrade is the way to go. It serves me well I don't have any issues with it only looking for some added comfort. I've done 400km and few 150+km rides on it. That said I could go for the new Allez disc and just run wider tires but if I'm going for a new one I would like something more fancy.
Some background I used to mainly do XC riding/racing and started road riding as more of a social/base miles supplementation. I currently own SW Epic 8 but I now barely ride it (lol) cuz I fell in love with the convenience of road riding. I can't decide between Tarmac and Aethos, something in the middle would be great but there isn't at least Specialized branded (I hate myself for that). I'm 63ish kg with FTP of 230ish watts. Climbing is my favorite part of the day Aethos is the obvious choice here... But where I live and the routes we take are mostly flat. I have done only few rides with over 1000m of elevation per 100km ridden.
Usual climbs in the area would look like:
Distance 3.6 km/Avg.Grade 4%/Elevation 141 m
Distance 2.8 km/Avg.Grade 5%/Elevation 139 m
Rare ones:
Distance 4.4 km/Avg.Grade 7%/Elevation 315 m
Distance 6.0 km/Avg.Grade 4%/Elevation 262 m
So not much climbing as I said "usual" ones are 40km one way to reach them so 100km loop in total usually. And rare ones are 70ish one way (150km total). That said I mostly do 4/5h+ of flatish rides and the group averages 24-28km/h avg. So not riding fast either.
I have been fitted and I'm not limited by the raiding position.
Is Tarmac riding harsh? compared to the Allez. I don't find myself flexing the Aethos frame either. Tarmac is not that heavier and more aero, but I'm not in a hurry is aero worth it after all. I just don't know and can't wrap my head around. We don't have dealer around to try them. I guess I hope the SL9 now will be so much more compliant to fill the gap in the middle but that frame is made for people like Remco and Magnier I don't really thing they will focus on my leisure riding requirements lol.
Any advice/discussion could be helpful. Thanks! Ride on!