r/specialized

I am looking for my first road bike but can’t decide between Allez sprint and e5 smartweld. Which should I go for or are there other bikes y’all recommend?

I’m buying carbon wheels and run 32c.

I have a Specialized Roubaix but am getting a Tarmac SL8 later this year and wanted to know if getting the EliteWheels SLR Gravel (34mm outer width) would fit them both.

Tarmac clearance is 32 but I noticed that Roval Rapids are 35mm up front with 31mm in the back.

Could anyone shine a light on the subject?

Hey Guys

I am looking into the S-Works SL8.

I am 178 cm with a 85 cm inseam, therefore a very short torso and a bit short arms.
Currently riding a Colnago V4RS size 510 with 100 mm stem length - this bike feels a bit long on the arms and I am experiencing neck pain no matter how many bike fits I have had.

So now my dilemma is what size SL8? I dont have a Specialized shop anywhere near me sadly.
I feel like I definitely need a size 54, even though the Specialized calculator says 56.

I was thinking 54 with a 90 mm stem.
Any experiences or advice?
Thanks

Just received my new crux frame to start a new build. Trying to decide on what stem to put on there? Would you go with a specialized s work alloy stem, bontrager carbon stem, or zipp carbon stem? Reading the zipp manual it says that you shouldn’t put any spacers above the stem and that the top cap should be flush with the stem. I want a little flexibility with playing around with the fit so not sure if I want to commit to my max height yet if that is the case with the zipp stem. I can get a zipp stem for a decent price which is why it is in the mix but I also found a bontrager stem on sale at a shop. The wheels, handlebar, and seatpost will most likely be zipp

At this point there seems to be a gap in the lineup between the pointy end of the race focused epic 9 and the Stumpy. Does specialize bother filling this with an epic evo or what’s their plan for a proper non racing down country bike?

I'm searching for a nice bike for all day city riding, like 50-60km+

When I tried the 5.0 (sram version, last year) in the shop it felt too slow for my taste, with those cheap Aluminium wheels they fit it with, and inner tubes.

Oh, and are you fine with the max 40mm tire clearance? Or would you want more, for rough streets and more aggressive riding?

Wondering what the difference in feel is between the roubaix and tarmac on longer rides. I’m a pretty new rider, about a year total and consistently the past 4 months. Did my first 50 mile this past weekend. I have the intention of doing longer rides regularly. I’ve been riding on an older aluminum frame with a shimano Claris group set and have been looking for a new bike.

After some research I kind of have my heart set on a specialized and have been looking for a used roubaix. I understand roubaix is more endurance focused and the tarmac is race focused. Again, still pretty new so don’t totally understand the actual geometry of bikes. I recently found a 2025 tarmac sl7 sport with upgraded wheels for $2250 and am wondering if I’d actually regret it on longer rides. It is a 54 cm and I’m 5’8-5’9 so from what I’ve read this would be my size.

Transparently I do love the look of the tarmac over the roubaix. Just looking for some general feedback from anyone who’s ridden either

Hi! I'm not too keen on the stock Body Geometry Power Expert saddle that came with my Tarmac SL8. I would be interested to hear from Tarmac riders who swapped their stock saddle. What saddle did you go with? I mostly ride in aero hoods. Just trying to collect some ideas. Thanks!