Specialized Tarmac - What size?

[Christina262]

I rode both a Tarmac Pro (52cm) and a Ruby Pro (51cm) at my LBS yesterday and absolutely fell in love with the Tarmac. A little squirley on the downhills but climbs like a mountain goat and corners very well. Here's my problem... the Tarmac at 52 felt a bit big, but not overly. I have an older Specialized Allez that is a 52 and it feels great. I also have an '06 Specialized Langster (52) that I was recently fit on by another LBS.

The new bike will be my race bike, mostly local crits. I am 5'4" and flucuate between 120 and 130 lbs. I do have very long arms and my inseam is 31".

Any thoughts on frame size? I can order the 52cm or the 49cm.

Thanks.

[spokewench]

It's very difficult to tell you what to do for your bike since we can't see how you look on it.

But here's something I can tell you. I'm 5'4", not a really short torso like some women, more to the medium to long torso, average length arms, 31" inseam. I ride a 50 cm Bridgestone and usually a 49-50 cm in most other bikes that I have tried.

Where did you think the bike felt big? Did it seem you were reaching? Did it have a long stem or a regular/shorter stem for the size? How was the standover height; this may not be legit cause I'm not sure if this is a compact frame or not? Compact frames have a sloping top tube so this is not so crucial.

I would go back to the store and ride the smaller bike and see if it will work for you. See how it feels. if they don't have one in that size; or a similar bike in that size for you to ride, find another store that does. It will be worth it to you in the long run.

[alpinerabbit]

Sigh.... the bike of my dreams....

[KSH]

I recently got a Specialized Tarmac and got a 49/XS.

I am 5'4", 125 lbs, and I have a 29-30 inch inseam. I have a longer torso, with average arms.

We had to shorten the bracket that holds on the handlebars (name?), and that was it. Otherwise, it fit.

I can't imagine riding a larger size.

[Christina262]

Thanks KHS! How do you like your tarmac? HOw does it handle? I was told the 49 would be stiffer than the 52 and that it might be "too much bike for me". Of course, this comes from my friend that has a Ruby. I'm a pretty good bike handler, and it will be a race bike so plush is not what I'm looking for. I did ride the Ruby but found it somewhat unresponsive when you want to get out of the saddle and go for it.

Also, any toe overlap issues?

Thanks again.

[aicabsolut]

I tried the Tarmac. At the time, the geometry was too aggressive for me, though I think I'd love it now! How's the reach? Are you able to get your saddle in the proper position? Why is it harder to handle on the downhill? If the reach is too far for you, then you can try a smaller stem or the stem set to the higher angle. Maybe you're just not used to the aggressive style? Overall sizing ratios shouldn't differ a lot from the allez, but the bars are probably lower.

Try taking it for a couple more rides to see if it's the racing style that you have to adapt to or whether it really is too big.

[KSH]

Thanks KHS! How do you like your tarmac? HOw does it handle? I was told the 49 would be stiffer than the 52 and that it might be "too much bike for me". Of course, this comes from my friend that has a Ruby. I'm a pretty good bike handler, and it will be a race bike so plush is not what I'm looking for. I did ride the Ruby but found it somewhat unresponsive when you want to get out of the saddle and go for it.

Also, any toe overlap issues?

Thanks again.

Well, I have only ridden it for 25 miles... so my feedback might not be too valid...????

I love it, thus far. It is a more aggressive bike, and it feels fast.

Too much bike? How is that? Not sure if it's too much bike. For me, I just wanted a road bike that I got on, and was WOW'ed by the ride. The Tarmac did that for me.

If you want to race... it will NOT be too much bike.

I went a few "hills" (in Texas, it's more like an incline!)... and I was fast. The bike was easy going up! Great going down too.

Toe overlap? Not sure what this is. Sorry.

[HillSlugger]

Toe overlap? Not sure what this is. Sorry.

That's when your toe collides with the tire during tight turns. It's usually seen in a bike with a shorter wheelbase and/or compact geometry.

[emily_in_nc]

That's when your toe collides with the tire during tight turns. It's usually seen in a bike with a shorter wheelbase and/or compact geometry.

KSH, to test for it, stand over your bike, clip in with one foot, rotate it around so the foot on the pedal is in front and parallel to the ground (3 o'clock position on a clock). In this position your toes are as far forward as they'd be at any point during the pedal stroke. Turn the handlebars and see if the back of the wheel hits your toes. Don't try this while riding!

Emily

[KSH]

KSH, to test for it, stand over your bike, clip in with one foot, rotate it around so the foot on the pedal is in front and parallel to the ground (3 o'clock position on a clock). In this position your toes are as far forward as they'd be at any point during the pedal stroke. Turn the handlebars and see if the back of the wheel hits your toes. Don't try this while riding!

Emily

Well, I have ridden the bike for a total of 60 miles on the road now... and I haven't had the problem you are talking about.

The bike fits and rides great!