I got the tarmac after the aethos. Both have exactly same geometry in size 54. The challenge with those bikes is the saddle and its tilt. The power saddle forces to gravitate forward causing pain, to compensate we tilt the saddle further until all of our weight is on the front. Changed the saddle, leveled its tilt and can not be more happy. The tarmac is as smooth and super fast. BTW am 50 as well. So please consider another saddle that will help you balance your weight on the bike and you got yourself a very good frame. Good luck and enjoy. We have the right to still enjoy a race bike in our 50s
Thanks for the info. I have my power saddle at 5 degree tilt on both the Tarmac and Specialized Epic Evo. I find it is a bit better on my back when climbing.It is comfortable but I do have the Romin I might pop on and try. Agreed... we should be able to enjoy a race bike in our 50s, I am not that inflexible.
Try a longer nosed saddle in a more forward position, allowing you to vary for-aft saddle posture, between that and your already raised headset you can emulate endurance ergonomics on this bike at a bit of an aero penalty
With my dodgy back I find a high position with a short stem actually more uncomfortable. I find this makes me arch my back more and puts more strain through my lower spine with the weight distribution more towards the saddle. A longer stem helps the most as I stretch my back out more.
Never too old for a race bike 😊… at 52yrs that was my way of thinking after a bike fit, which put me upright on a 54, short reach, loads of stack spacers. Felt just OK. Chewed this over with a second bike fitter who got me on a 56 boy-racer frame, moderate stack spacers and 110mm stem. Had to work a little on core, neck and shoulders but now it feels soo good. Dig in!
Thanks for your insights. I am still persevering and have alos ordered a Crux for longer diatance solo rides. I will see how the crux is with road wheels and if it is comfortable and fast I will use that more.
Hi Jase, Tarmac rider here (61, almost riding every day addiction ) . Nice bike! Tried that power saddle once (as it’s supposed to be the holy grail), it killed me. Now for years on a Toupe saddle, with a 1cm rise 110 slammed stem, no problems (of course my back is painful once and a while ). I do ride on the smaller size frame for my body (1.81cm size 54), as I feel more compact. I would recommend leveling that saddle and move it maybe a bit backwards. That way there’s is less stress on your arms and neck. That having said it’s only my personal experience and the Tarmac is of course an aggressive racehorse and I don’t have the injury you have . Keep on riding 👍
Thanks for the advice, I have tried a 70mm stem and slammed the saddle back and levelled it. I have a bike fot on Fri so put the 90mm stem back on and will see what he does. I do wish I had bought a 52 though.
@@jaselikesbikes After 2 Tarmac’s 56 (sizechart recommended) I went to 54. That was the solution for me. Maybe it’s yours as well, swap the frame. Easy to sell the “old one”. Good luck with your fit🤞
if you remember, the old Venge had this aero bar with the rise in it. i got a copy of this (yea yea i know) and this added a lot of comfort for me and helped massively being able to use my neck after rides. i think it looked really cool still and it made me look better on the bike as i felt much better and i was as fast if not faster since i was able to get down when it mattered instead of forced to low all the time.
Get a proper road bike and one that fits you right mate. Get one off my list of recommended. The best bikes now have NEVER been cheaper. IYKYK. Look how straight your arms are when you are filming. Id be in a lot of pain too if my seat was tipping me forward that much hehe. Your seat is way too high aswell.
How are you still finding it? Considering getting it in the same size. I will probably slam it. I am age 54 and it seems luckily still flexible, My current road bike has a stack that's 30mm lower
@@cornelhughes still sore on my neck/shoulders/upper back but that is my old injuries. Tried to order a new Roubaix frameset but the waiting list was a year! I would order the Giant Defy SL frame if it was available over here.
Thx for the video! Can you tell more about difference in comfort,. speed and acceleration between Tarmac and Roubaix? Why you decide to choose Tarmac SL8 over Roubaix SL8? And what about fun factor compared two bikes?
Thanks for watching. The main reason I didn’t go for thr Roubaix is that they don’t currently have the “pro” in New Zealand and the S works I was too expensive for me and the Expert I felt maybe a little heavy and lower spec so on a whim went for the Tarmac. It does feel faster accelerating as you would I I expect and fun in shorter 2 hours or so group rides. The Roubaix was fun on longer rides due to the geometry and smooth due the future shock. I hope that answers your questions from my point of view anyway.
hey mate great video rundown. Check out the giant revolt x. It's really comfortable and puts you in a more upright position but super capable everywhere. Won bike of the year etc as well
Thanks for the honest review. I’m not a professional bike fitter but I’m also now in my 50s (so have been around race bikes for a long time too) and my tuppence comments would be - your saddle looks to be at quite an angle throwing your weight forward and yet you have quite an upright style. Perhaps that eases your back pain but I wonder if it might make it worse because your neck might be angling up to see forward while your body is under stress to push further forward than is comfortable? Either way, I’d suggest a proper bike fit before ditching it but, ultimately, you might be happier on a Defy or Domane or something like that for the type of riding you want to do? Good luck!
Thanks, yes I think the saddle looks a but more tilted than it is due to the bike stand but I might flatten it out a bit and see how I go. It is hard to find a decent bike fitter that I would be able to trust. I have had a fit previously but nothing changed too much. Might be time to get another if I can find someone though but they are pricey.
Why is your saddle titled like that? Maybe that’s contributing to your discomfort? It’s tilted very aggressively…I’m sure you tried but perhaps consider levelling it as close as possible to flat? I’m not sure how the seat post of the Tarmac works but there should be a way to flatten the angle.
I think it looks worse as it is on the stand. I was probably experimenting, i level it out and it is only about 0-2 degrees now. I use a level to get it accurate. Tha ks for notecobg though. :-)
If you want to check out endurance bikes, then one solid option is the Merida Scultura endurance. Solid bike, but the only downside is that even the highest spec one doesn't come with di2, just standard mechanical ultegra. Still would be worth a look though.
@@thedownunderverse Yeah I think Merida has only recently started doing headset routing fairly recently, so I guess it wouldn't be the best to start off with.
What changes ( if any) would you suggest to try with the saddle to help with lower back pain that usually kicks for me on one side after close to 2hrs or so
From my experience it is very individual. Try to change it slightly every time you ride, maybe the first thing to try it to lover it by a couple of mm then try tdoing the same fore and aft. I also tilt it down but only a couple if degrees so play around with that.
Hi Jase, Thank you and very useful info. You've medium size bike. Could you pls let me know your height. I'm 5'9 and bought large SL7 pro and upgraded with the shortest step and zero latency seat post and Roman saddleand then feel much better after these 3 changes . I may have gone with size medium 😇😇
Have been commuting on hardtail mountain bikes since forever…just turned 50 in August and got myself my first drop bar bike in the form of a Specialized Diverge about 5 weeks ago…,also based in Auckland so lot of this resonates with me…running Continental 32 mil slicks and Loving the bike so far….but will look at at enduro bike once better bike fit and confident…subscribed
Thanks for watching and subscribing. I had an older diverge which was comfortable but only had road gearing which was hard work but I am in the market for a gravel bike for sure. Conti’s are good! The main reason for this bike is trying to keep up with th group, if I ride alone I often do it on my MTB. See you out there.
We are similar ages. I have a Tarmac too… For more comfort I ride my Scott Addicts which feel fast, & are aéro. I also recommend thé Scott Foil. The geometry on the tarmac is aggressive. So I would recommend thé Scott addict, get a bike fit… Don’t stop riding… stay safe!
Thanks. I think I might keep the Taramc and get a Crux for gravel and a spare wheel for road when I do longer solo rides. I agree I should get another bike fit but it is hard to find a good fitter than you can trust. If it was $100 and not 300 then I would do it regularly.
@@jaselikesbikes I find that I mostly know by now what size fits. However, the stack of the Tarmac is lower, more aggressive so always felt more racy… whilst the addict has a different geometry. Look at geometrygeeks. The new crux looks nice.
I almost pulled the plug this week on a Crox, the only thing that is stopping me is it might be upgraded to have a UDR this year and I can use transiition.
I got the tarmac after the aethos. Both have exactly same geometry in size 54. The challenge with those bikes is the saddle and its tilt. The power saddle forces to gravitate forward causing pain, to compensate we tilt the saddle further until all of our weight is on the front. Changed the saddle, leveled its tilt and can not be more happy. The tarmac is as smooth and super fast. BTW am 50 as well. So please consider another saddle that will help you balance your weight on the bike and you got yourself a very good frame. Good luck and enjoy. We have the right to still enjoy a race bike in our 50s
Thanks for the info. I have my power saddle at 5 degree tilt on both the Tarmac and Specialized Epic Evo. I find it is a bit better on my back when climbing.It is comfortable but I do have the Romin I might pop on and try. Agreed... we should be able to enjoy a race bike in our 50s, I am not that inflexible.
Try a longer nosed saddle in a more forward position, allowing you to vary for-aft saddle posture, between that and your already raised headset you can emulate endurance ergonomics on this bike at a bit of an aero penalty
Thanks I have a Romin and will try that.@@mmurmurjohnson2368
I think the Power saddle should be at 2.5-3% forward tilt. 5% seems a lot
Did you notice much of a difference in your average speed etc, I find the Aethos quite sluggish . Thinking of changing it for the sl8
This is excellent review - It will be my next bike; I really like how you made it more capable for light gravel - bigger cassette etc
Thanks, I still havr the bike and think I will put 30mm tyres on it.
With my dodgy back I find a high position with a short stem actually more uncomfortable. I find this makes me arch my back more and puts more strain through my lower spine with the weight distribution more towards the saddle. A longer stem helps the most as I stretch my back out more.
Good to know. It is mainly my neck which is the problem but i am still tinkering with position.
Never too old for a race bike 😊… at 52yrs that was my way of thinking after a bike fit, which put me upright on a 54, short reach, loads of stack spacers. Felt just OK. Chewed this over with a second bike fitter who got me on a 56 boy-racer frame, moderate stack spacers and 110mm stem. Had to work a little on core, neck and shoulders but now it feels soo good. Dig in!
Thanks for your insights. I am still persevering and have alos ordered a Crux for longer diatance solo rides. I will
see how the crux is with road wheels and if it is comfortable and fast I will use that more.
Hi Jase,
Tarmac rider here (61, almost riding every day addiction ) . Nice bike!
Tried that power saddle once (as it’s supposed to be the holy grail), it killed me. Now for years on a Toupe saddle, with a 1cm rise 110 slammed stem, no problems (of course my back is painful once and a while ). I do ride on the smaller size frame for my body (1.81cm size 54), as I feel more compact. I would recommend leveling that saddle and move it maybe a bit backwards. That way there’s is less stress on your arms and neck. That having said it’s only my personal experience and the Tarmac is of course an aggressive racehorse and I don’t have the injury you have . Keep on riding 👍
Thanks for the advice, I have tried a 70mm stem and slammed the saddle back and levelled it. I have a bike fot on Fri so put the 90mm stem back on and will see what he does. I do wish I had bought a 52 though.
@@jaselikesbikes After 2 Tarmac’s 56 (sizechart recommended) I went to 54. That was the solution for me. Maybe it’s yours as well, swap the frame. Easy to sell the “old one”. Good luck with your fit🤞
Thanks@@simonwarmer8777
@@jaselikesbikeswhy do you regret not getting the smaller 52?
i think i probably do @@motomoto898
if you remember, the old Venge had this aero bar with the rise in it. i got a copy of this (yea yea i know) and this added a lot of comfort for me and helped massively being able to use my neck after rides. i think it looked really cool still and it made me look better on the bike as i felt much better and i was as fast if not faster since i was able to get down when it mattered instead of forced to low all the time.
That is interesting, i wonder if it would fit? I might have to look around for it.
i think is great you give it a go before knowning it is not for you, most important is to enjoy every chance
Thanks, I am still hoping it willl work for me.
Get a proper road bike and one that fits you right mate. Get one off my list of recommended. The best bikes now have NEVER been cheaper. IYKYK. Look how straight your arms are when you are filming. Id be in a lot of pain too if my seat was tipping me forward that much hehe. Your seat is way too high aswell.
Thanks for the info and bike fit
tips. I will look into them but only if they have disc brakes :-)
nice man I had the S works SL8 loved it, Shame though living in london got stolen after 2 weeks
OMG sorry about that, it sucks. I hope you can get a replacement. Love the S Works colourway.
the new Giant defy looks great and is very light weight as well, it'll be my pick for endurance.
The Defy is very much om my Radar, thanks for the recommendation.
it is the heaviest carbon defy ever lol.
Is that because it has disc brakes? @durianriders
How are you still finding it? Considering getting it in the same size. I will probably slam it. I am age 54 and it seems luckily still flexible, My current road bike has a stack that's 30mm lower
@@cornelhughes still sore on my neck/shoulders/upper back but that is my old injuries. Tried to order a new Roubaix frameset but the waiting list was a year! I would order the Giant Defy SL frame if it was available over here.
Thx for the video!
Can you tell more about difference in comfort,. speed and acceleration between Tarmac and Roubaix? Why you decide to choose Tarmac SL8 over Roubaix SL8? And what about fun factor compared two bikes?
Thanks for watching. The main reason I didn’t go for thr Roubaix is that they don’t currently have the “pro” in New Zealand and the S works I was too expensive for me and the Expert I felt maybe a little heavy and lower spec so on a whim went for the Tarmac. It does feel faster accelerating as
you would I I expect and fun in shorter 2 hours or so group rides. The Roubaix was fun on longer rides due to the geometry and smooth due the future shock. I hope that answers your questions from my point of view anyway.
hey mate great video rundown. Check out the giant revolt x. It's really comfortable and puts you in a more upright position but super capable everywhere. Won bike of the year etc as well
Cheers, it does look nice! Great value too!
Hi, Thank you for useful video, i ordered yesterday 😅 same size and specs… How long valve you got in the rims?
Hmm I think the valves are 80mm.
Thx and pedals are shimano?
@@radektrompisch yes
Thanks for the honest review. I’m not a professional bike fitter but I’m also now in my 50s (so have been around race bikes for a long time too) and my tuppence comments would be - your saddle looks to be at quite an angle throwing your weight forward and yet you have quite an upright style. Perhaps that eases your back pain but I wonder if it might make it worse because your neck might be angling up to see forward while your body is under stress to push further forward than is comfortable? Either way, I’d suggest a proper bike fit before ditching it but, ultimately, you might be happier on a Defy or Domane or something like that for the type of riding you want to do? Good luck!
Thanks, yes I think the saddle looks a but more tilted than it is due to the bike stand but I might flatten it out a bit and see how I go. It is hard to find a decent bike fitter that I would be able to trust. I have had a fit previously but nothing changed too much. Might be time to get another if I can find someone though but they are pricey.
Why is your saddle titled like that? Maybe that’s contributing to your discomfort? It’s tilted very aggressively…I’m sure you tried but perhaps consider levelling it as close as possible to flat? I’m not sure how the seat post of the Tarmac works but there should be a way to flatten the angle.
I think it looks worse as
it is on the stand. I was probably experimenting, i level it out and it is only about 0-2 degrees now. I use a level to get it accurate. Tha ks for notecobg though. :-)
Ah ok good to hear, maybe it’s the stand you’re right! Great bike though it’s beautiful :)
@@Ricnooo Thanks
Bought the expert, really wishing I had those wheels
The wheels are nice 🙂
If you want to check out endurance bikes, then one solid option is the Merida Scultura endurance. Solid bike, but the only downside is that even the highest spec one doesn't come with di2, just standard mechanical ultegra. Still would be worth a look though.
Cheers, I have heard that the Scultra is a good bike, I am a big Sram fanboy so will still go with that to fit in with my other eco systems.
The headset cable routing on the Scultura is kinda crap tbh. Otherwise it’s a good bike.
@@jaselikesbikes Sram's definitely that way to go. I've got shimano on all my bikes at the moment but I'm looking at swapping them out.
@@thedownunderverse Yeah I think Merida has only recently started doing headset routing fairly recently, so I guess it wouldn't be the best to start off with.
better old man gearing for me@@randommountainbiker9305
Go for the factor Ostro VAM. More comfy, more upright position in comparison with the tarmac.
Thanks, it does look like a nice bike.
What changes ( if any) would you suggest to try with the saddle to help with lower back pain that usually kicks for me on one side after close to 2hrs or so
From my experience it is very individual. Try to change it slightly every time you ride, maybe the first thing to try it to lover it by a couple of mm then try tdoing the same fore and aft. I also tilt it down but only a couple if degrees so play around with that.
The video just started, why is your saddle tilted so much? Looks painful
Hi Kim. It might look more tilted down as it is on a stand. I have it at about 5 degree downward tilt. I find it less painful and better for climbing.
Hi Jase, Thank you and very useful info. You've medium size bike. Could you pls let me know your height. I'm 5'9 and bought large SL7 pro and upgraded with the shortest step and zero latency seat post and Roman saddleand then feel much better after these 3 changes . I may have gone with size medium 😇😇
The bike is a 54cm and I am 5'8. I have shortened the stem to 90mm, I have short legs and a longer body.
hello sir, what is the rear light??
I have a Garmin varia radar and also specialized Stix light.
Hope you get to keep the bike.
Thanks, me too but it is 50/50 at the moment. Contmeplating a Roubaix frame if I go down that route.
@@jaselikesbikes still in good shape to recover. Never give up hope. 🙏🏻
Saddle angle looks odd
I think it is becuause of the stand. I have it at 3-5 degrree tilt as standard.
What kind of rear light is that?
A Specialized STIX. also use a varia radar on 3d printed mount.
that seat angle :}
Checked and reduced. .....although it does look worse due to it being on a stand.
Have been commuting on hardtail mountain bikes since forever…just turned 50 in August and got myself my first drop bar bike in the form of a Specialized Diverge about 5 weeks ago…,also based in Auckland so lot of this resonates with me…running Continental 32 mil slicks and Loving the bike so far….but will look at at enduro bike once better bike fit and confident…subscribed
Thanks for watching and subscribing. I had an older diverge which was comfortable but only had road gearing which was hard work but I am in the market for a gravel bike for sure. Conti’s are good! The main reason for this bike is trying to keep up with th group, if I ride alone I often do it on my MTB. See you out there.
"Will I keep the bike?" Maybe. If you keep it inside and locked up. Count on it getting ripped off otherwise.
@@roadracer1593 inside and locked up it is!
Nice rich man 👌👏
Not rich but not poor either.
50s are the new 30s mate, of course you should keep it. And slam that stem. 😂
Ha ha. That would cripple me.
We are similar ages.
I have a Tarmac too…
For more comfort I ride my Scott Addicts which feel fast, & are aéro.
I also recommend thé Scott Foil. The geometry on the tarmac is aggressive. So I would recommend thé Scott addict, get a bike fit…
Don’t stop riding… stay safe!
Thanks. I think I might keep the Taramc and get a Crux for gravel and a spare wheel for road when I do longer solo rides. I agree I should get another bike fit but it is hard to find a good fitter than you can trust. If it was $100 and not 300 then I would do it regularly.
@@jaselikesbikes I find that I mostly know by now what size fits. However, the stack of the Tarmac is lower, more aggressive so always felt more racy… whilst the addict has a different geometry. Look at geometrygeeks. The new crux looks nice.
Buy a Aethos pro it's better for you
I have bought a crux, so not far off.
Crux is perfect for you.
Disappointing that you've gone to the dark side Jase . I bought a gravel bike a while ago , but , at 62 yrs of age (then) it just wasn't me .
I have had a Specialized Roubaix for a few years. Being in Auckland it is just more convenient to ride during the week.
I'm in my 60's and I find a gravel bike with two wheel sets to be ideal for me. My background is in XC MTB.
Get a crux
I almost pulled the plug this week on a Crox, the only thing that is stopping me is it might be upgraded to have a UDR this year and I can use transiition.