Smartweld Allez or Tarmac SL4, what would you do?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am having decision issues. I have 2 framesets, a 2012/2013 Specialized Allez E5 Smartweld or a 2012 Tarmac SL4 Pro

Background:

I have to sell one of the frameset to finance the purchase of some more goodies.

I bought the Allez new and rode it as my road race, training bike and had it decked out with Sram red and other carbon bits, it only weighed 14.8lbs as a I rode it with all accessories. I just bought a 2014 Spec. Secteur Expert Disc and took off all the stuff from the Allez and put it on the Secteur. I want to use the Secteur as my trainer, grand fondo, gravel, multi use bike.

Then I got a Tarmac SL4 Pro frameset about 6 months ago off of Ebay… almost new condition, and picked up a used S Works SL4 fork too.

I have NEVER ridden a Tarmac, so don’t know how much better the frame will feel. Will the bottom bracket feel more stiff? Will it soak up more vibration? IDK… ???

So, I plan to build one of them but not both… the Allez or the Tarmac, but I like the idea of building a sub 14 pound aluminum bike for road racing, and I know the Tarmac would be a little bit lighter still… what would you guys do?

2

You’ll probably get a lot more $$ out of the Tarmac.

3

I think the Tarmac will be a very noticeable difference over the Allez. Stiffness and comfort wise.

I’d go for the Tarmac all day every day and not even think about it.

4

Using the same components and tires I would guess you won’t notice much difference. But people have different tolerances. Some people can notice the smallest changes to frames. The Tarmac is a higher-end frame and a little lighter. So really you just need to decide what you want out of the bike. For someone that does road racing and crits, the Allez is a smart choice as the frame replacement cost is significantly cheaper.

5

I would get the Allez, because there will be absolutely zero difference stiffness and comfort wise or performance wise between the two.

Paying a lot for aero makes…a little…sense. Paying a lot for carbon…crazy.

6

Will second this after having spent a month on an E5 I just built. Its quickly become my favorite bike to ride. I also have an S5. If that matters.

7

You’ll probably get a lot more $$ out of the Tarmac.

…and because of that, you’ll have more to spend on tricking out the Allez :slight_smile:

Despite what some may say, the actually “noticeable” difference between the Allez and SL4 built up identically will be less than what you could influence by just varying your tire pressures by 5psi or so. Seriously.

I vote for super tricked out Allez vs. moderately tricked out SL4.

8

Friend of mine had the SL4, sold it and bought a Smartweld Allez. Never looked back.

The paint on the Smartweld is such that you can’t really tell it’s not a carbon bike until you’re a foot or two away. Great looking machine.

9

I’ve got the Smartweld Allez and have owned a few carbon bikes. The Smartweld is great bike, one of my favorites ever. I don’t think you are giving up anything versus the Tarmac except a few grams.

I’d agree with the others and say you could get more cash for the Tarmac and allow you to take care of your finances better, while not giving up anything on the road.

10

I just built up a 2014 Smartweld Allez and love it -there’s a pic in my profile, prior to cutting the steerer tube. It is very stiff and fast! I did a century a few weeks ago and didn’t feel any more beat up than if I had done it on my R3, which has been collecting dust the last month or so…

CJ

11

Wow, I’m surprised by all the Allez luv. I know the Allez since I have used one for a while, I had got the Tarmac as I thought it might be a step up. Then I switched gears and got the Secteur after I sold my Epic Carbon since I wasn’t using it. I guess that I’ll hang on to the Allez frame. The Tarmac is sexy though, they’re both sexy in their own way. I got the Secteur as I thought that riding on the roads that I do, it was a little tough to take beyond 3 hours… get all shook up. It’s going to be hard to part with the Tarmac frame though, since I never got the chance to ride her.

12

The difference in ride between the smartweld allez and the tarmac is so small as to be unnoticeable. Ride the Allez and sell the tarmac for more money.

13

It sounds like you want to keep the Tarmac.