Giant VS Specialized

[mattjamesclarke]

Hi all,

So I have been a keen road cyclist for several years, and the time has come to invest in my first carbon fibre road bike.

I have a budget of £4,500 but am unsure whether to invest in the Giant Propel and save some money, or go all out and get a Specialized Tarmac. Exact 2019 models below:

https://velocollective.co.uk/product/gi ... road-bike/

https://velocollective.co.uk/product/sp ... road-bike/

I guess my question is, are Specialized bikes better/worth the extra money? If so how?

[Vorpal]

Go ride them.

[althebike]

They look like different animals. The Giant looks as if it would appeal to the time trialist, aero and stiff.
I have a tarmac, and it is as comfortable as my specialised roubaix which is their "comfort road model" it is frisky and more responsive than the roubaix.

[531colin]

I hired a Spec. Tarmac (56cm) in the Dolomites last year, (so obviously not the latest one.)
I found it a nice ride, well-mannered and nicely composed on Alpine type descents.
Over-geared for this old man, though.

I second Vorpal....go ride them!

[foxyrider]

Why restrict yourself to just those two bikes?

Lots of bikes in that general budget area, you are probably only gonna do this once so take your time and go look at lots of bikes, ride as many as you can, then narrow things down.

[gxaustin]

Carbon road bikes are quite race inspired so I'd go for the best fit. I couldn't bend enough to cope with a pro style bike. There's loads of choice so i'd suggest trying a good few.

[mattsccm]

Both nice bikes but neither brand is usually discounted in any way so you pay full whack. Much better value out there or same money and even nicer bike.
Also rather subjective but both very mainstream. Wouldn't you rather have some with a touch of class? Call these the BMW or Audi of the bike world. Technically great but dead common. . Go and read some back issues of Cyclist magazine for some ideas.

[531colin]

Carbon road bikes are quite race inspired so I'd go for the best fit. I couldn't bend enough to cope with a pro style bike....

It was just before my seventy-first birthday that I hired a "Tarmac" in the Dolomites, and I can't describe myself as flexible.
But you have to read the geometry tables. On the "56" Tarmac the seat tube measures 53cm and the head tube 16cm., so not very different from the 175mm head tube on my 54cm Spa Elan. The nice young man in the hire shop flipped the stem for me, and it was just like riding my own bike.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/36063469470/in/album-72157624571269648/

[Marcus Aurelius]

Buy the one you can pull the sickest wheelies on.

[thelawnet]

Buy the one you can pull the sickest wheelies on.

Stoppies

[gxaustin]

But you have to read the geometry tables. On the "56" Tarmac the seat tube measures 53cm and the head tube 16cm., so not very different from the 175mm head tube on my 54cm Spa Elan.

Very good. One to put on the list to try, perhaps? Hiring for a short time is one thing but I certainly wouldn't buy an expensive bike based solely on geometry tables.

[Brucey]

to use a daft analogy it is a bit like saying "I like eating, and I'm trying to choose between McD's and Burger King".

There's more different types of food than that.

cheers