Your Advice: Specialized Tarmac Elite Rival Mid Compact vs. Trek Madone 4.5

speschka · Aug 19, 2012

Hey all, I'm just an average rider who's looking to get my second bike after about 6 years on a Specialized Tarmac. I'm looking at the new Tarmac Elite Rival Mid Compact ('cuz Specialized has like ten thousand models) - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmaceliterivalmid-compact#specs versus a Trek Madone 4.5. They seem pretty similar in a lot of ways, the biggest difference being between the new SRAM components used by Specialized versus Shimano for Trek. I've read lots of things that ultimately make me believe I just need to ride them both to compare, but one of the things that I haven't really seen is a comparison of the Apex level for SRAM compared to the Ultegra and 105 used on the Trek.

I'm sure there are other differences of course, which is why I'm curious what you all might think about "similar" models in general between Specialized and Trek. Any thoughts?

Steve

alienator · Aug 19, 2012

speschka said:
Hey all, I'm just an average rider who's looking to get my second bike after about 6 years on a Specialized Tarmac.Â I'm looking at the new Tarmac Elite Rival Mid Compact ('cuz Specialized has like ten thousand models) - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmaceliterivalmid-compact#specsÂ versus a Trek Madone 4.5.Â They seem pretty similar in a lot of ways, the biggest difference being between the new SRAM components used by Specialized versus Shimano for Trek.Â I've read lots of things that ultimately make me believe I just need to ride them both to compare, but one of the things that I haven't really seen isÂ a comparison of the Apex level for SRAM compared to the Ultegra and 105 used on the Trek. I'm sure there are other differences of course, which is why I'm curious what you all might think about "similar" models in general between Specialized and Trek.Â Any thoughts? Steve

Follow your instinct and ride both bikes. The quality differences between comparable gruppos from different manufacturers are essentially non-existent. Your impression of a gruppo is a function of personal preference and ergonomics, neither of which are influenced by others. The Apex is interesting in that it allows for a very large gearing range on the rear, so if you try it and like it, that could be a bonus if you ride a lot of big hills/mountains.

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Your Advice: Specialized Tarmac Elite Rival Mid Compact vs. Trek Madone 4.5

speschka

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alienator

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