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Got a (good) dilema, getting a new roadie for my 50th and looking at two similar level spec bikes, cannondale supersix or specialised tarmac. Both would be ultegra Di2, and disc brake (which is a key reason for a new toy). Would I notice the difference between them? Best choice? I currently have a Cervelo FSR-SL with a mix of components (2008 ish I think) I got second hand, it is the only roadie I have ever owned/ridden. I can't seem to find a demo ride of either of the bikes I'm looking at. Any advice would be appreciated.
Why are you sorry?
Using the STW tradition of recommending what you own, I’d take the Tarmac. I have an SL6 SWorks with Ultegra Di2 and Roval wheels and it’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden.
For context I used to race full time on the road for teams that were sponsored by Trek, Scott and Giant. I also owned a Colnago C60 which I sold to buy the S-Works and I don’t regret it!
I chose the Tarmac because I’m not a massive fan of the new trend of aero trumps everything, I don’t like the cables concealed in the stem/head tube as I fly with mine a fair bit and it’s a major pain for that. The Tarmac is fast, quiet and comfy as you can easily run 28mm tubeless tyres on it.
The only other I’d look at for now would be the new Scott Addict that’s about to hit the shops.
Choose the one that doesn't have a fatally flawed bottom bracket design.
Im a cannondale fanboi, so cannondale.
But have you considered the systemsix? Saw them in Pedal-On and they're absolutely stunning in the flesh and some really cool paint schemes.
Im not a Rapha fan but......
Choose the one that doesn’t have a fatally flawed bottom bracket design.
BB30 is generally fine, its PF30 thats a problem.
Cannondale always look lovely but there’s no way I’d buy one whilst they still use BB30.
So if those 2, it’d be the Spec for me.
That a Canyon rebadged as a cannondale 😉
I'm a Cannondale fanboi and was looking at the new System six but when I saw that block of carbon as a downtube it was a definite no. Second choice was a Tarmac but talking with the salesperson and researching reviews online ended up with a new 2020 Roubaix which I have been very happy with.
, it’d be the Spec for me.
Spesh use BB30 too. BB30 is fine as a system, PF30 on the other hand....
New Roubaix uses standard BB and hub spacing and its also more aero than a Tarmac SL6. But take whatever you fancy for a spin if you can and see how they ride.
Evans stock both so if you have a shop nearby you can sit on both in one trip.
Unfortunately here in Melbourne Australia the local shops to me don't have ones I can test ride, the advantage of the Spesh is that the shop is closest and I've a good relationship with them, cannondale dealer is a pain to get to. Bit of a cannondale fan, have a scalpel as my mountain bike. However managed to break myself fairly badly on it a year ago (broken vertebrae and base of skull) which has slowed me down descending and led to me wanting disc brakes on the roadie (I know the traction limit is the tires, but the brakes do make a difference for modulation etc) plus I want a new shiney toy and the big birthday seems a good option given I don't really do parties. Thanks for the advice.
Not sure if BB30 can be considered 'fine'... I had it on my CAADX and it started groaning and creaking a few months into ownership. I replaced it with one of those Wheels Manufacturing screw together thingumybobs/HT2 and its been silent since.
I'd go with BSA if that really bothers you (and trumps all other selection factors) but BB30/PF30 is easily replaceable if everything else on the bike tickles your fancy.
That Cannondale is not stunning me, I have to say- they seem to have put the fork in the wrong place. My son’s caad8 has creaked like an old chair since new. Ill replace the BB eventually. I’ll not buy another.
I like to see cables too unless seriously aero and even then I don’t like the stem hidden cables and disc brakes. I also like a compact carbon frame set and am a bit of a Giant fanboi. I do however like to see a parallel top tube on. Steel bike 🙂
Specialized have always had some nice paint schemes. Particularly their S-works frames. On that basis, I’d buy one of those.
Both are brilliant bikes, very close call. I have a Sworks Tarmac SL4, the handling is exceptional, can't fault it. Ride quality and feel is immaculate too - Supersix has an equally good reputation in those departments though. Do make sure that they're suitable for the roads you'll be running them on, if you have proper smooth roads then comfort won't be an issue. In my area where the roads have been abandoned to be essentially self maintaining and denuded to the point where the maps should reclassify them as cart tracks - my generation of Tarmac is nudging the limit of being too stiff. Both current generation bikes will mitigate this with ability for big tyres though.
In the generation I looked at the Supersix was a slightly more aggressive position in front end height, which let my dodgy back decide on the Tarmac - current generation do look more similar...
Did take a year of riding on mine to find a solution to stop the BB creaking...solution being a PraxisWorks Converter BB. Current generation Tarmac is a different design and has resolved that issue...I would take the Tarmac on BB over the 'Dale, BB30 on my 'dale 29er is a PITA with no solution..
Aesthetically Tarmac wins for me too....at our age if you can't be fast you may as well look darn good. To my eyes the higher top tube with dropped stays on the new Supersix looks a little odd where the Tarmac looks a more solid resolved shape...all completely subjective of course.
After the groupo I’d look at wheels and overall weight.
Maybe I got lucky with my CAADX, its been completely silent.
The BSA BB on the CAAD4 on the other hand squeaked like a demented pig. But that was because it was an FSA SL-K. Ive not touched it for 3000miles or so and I daren't as its been silent this year!
The bb on my old supersix creaked like hell.
they seem to have put the fork in the wrong place
Thought the same, doesn’t look well designed.
New Supersix looks nice but the ‘integrated’ bar/stem looks an afterthought.
This is my thread about my 2020 Supersix
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/cannondale-road-bike-creaking-seatpost/
Ended up replacing it with a 2019 Tarmac which I took out for its first proper ride today. I loved the Supersix and was worried I wouldn't like the tarmac as much. Withing a couple of mile all fears went away, I had a great time and enjoyed having a bike that didn't make a horrible noise. It feels slightly shorter than the Cannondale but that doesn't actually bother me.
I will add these are both 105 groupset ones so pretty entry level for the model and I'm by no means a deserning rider.
Dan
Do the distributors not have a demo fleet? I got a Diverge from Specialized Uk delivered to my local dealer for demo. I’d have thought it would be the same in other markets?