I know this has been asked before but I am deciding between the 2020 roubiax and tarmac. I recently had back surgery and I think the roubiax might be a more comfortable ride. I signed up for Ironman Arizona 2021 so I want a bike that gives a bit of comfort on the 112 mile ride. I am keeping my blue traid for shorter races so not looking to replace a bike. Any thoughts specifically for people with lower back issues would be great. I also know that fit is important but let’s assume that I can get a good fit on both.
I would think that it would make sense to get fit before you purchased a bike.
The Roubaix will offer more comfort, and that would be my pick. Yes, fit is the most important but, if you are riding uneven, broken or rough pavement the Roubaix smooths it out nicely. If you are intending to race crits later on, I would recommend the Tarmac. It is a sharper handling bike and it climbs beautifully - something the Roubaix does well but not as beautifully.
Are you looking at the new SL7 for the tarmac or an SL6?
I went into a shop ready to buy a roubaix and then spotted a sleek tarmac SL6. I took them both for a ride and loved the tarmac. My thinking if the tarmac over roubaix did include the possible issues with the shock/spring system in the roubaix. I was nervous something could go wrong it it would likely cost a fortune to replace and tune etc.
However, I also did t have a back surgery to factor in. I’d recommend riding both on the road to compare. And be sure to ride on rough junky patches to get a true sense.
Let us know what you decide.
I would think that it would make sense to get fit before you purchased a bike.
This.
There is a pretty big difference in fit between the Roubaix and Tarmac.
I find it hard to believe that a Tarmac would be comfortable after back surgery unless you had some weird body shape (ie medium legs, short torso and very long arms that allowed you to still sit rather upright with a decent saddle to bar drop)
Hi.
My N=1.
I have damaged disc in my neck (ok so the other end of the spine to the lower back !) and currently a lower back problem (not needing surgery, just muscular, though I’m getting out of bed and up from a chair like a 97 year old arthritic at present).
I looked at both Roubaix and a Tarmac this time last year. (SL6 for the Tarmac. Not sure what model number the Roubaix was, but ‘the latest’). The Roubaix was defo a bit shorter on reach / bit higher and more relaxed.
I ended up going with the Tarmac.
What I can defo say is that having come from an aluminium Trek road bike (that had many years of use and plenty on century rides on), I feel a lot less beaten up on the Tarmac than from the Alu Trek.
I did have to shorten the reach a bit (shorter stem) as I have a long leg + shorter torso and shorter arms. That was easy with a bog standard stem (vs getting the Specialized future shock specific stem).
The frame is a little longer than my previous bike. But Spesh used a relatively short reach handlebar. So the two nearly cancelled out. (The original stem was still the length preferred by luddites and knuckle-draggers so needed to be shortened).
I also decided I didn’t want the Future Shock as its another bespoke Specialized thing that may make the bike obsolete long before I want to replace it. The Tarmac SL6 is all standard fittings inc threaded BB, normal internal headset, round seat post, etc.
If you like Specialized bikes ( I do too) and are planning on doing a full distance race on a road bike, you might consider the Venge. You get a nice aero road bike that is going to be on the firm side of things like the Tarmac.
My tri bike is too aggressive for this distance so going to use a road bike. Thank you for the tip. I will look at the venge
test ride them both. you will feel the difference. Roubaix is like driving a nice luxury Mercedes and the Tarmac is more like a series 3 BMW. Both great cars and both are great bikes. I would go with what your most comfortable on.
If comfort is the main factor for your bike leg, and then the Roubaix is the obvious choice. From a frame aero perspective, I believe Specialized has stated the latest Roubaix performed better in the “win tunnel” than the SL6.
If you do decide to get the Tarmac, I would definitely look at the SL6 over the SL7. I own both, and love the SL7 for myself. But considering your back, there is a difference in feeling the road in the rear end, with the SL7 being noticeably stiffer.
I have setup time to do test rides with both bikes from a specialized shop here in Colorado. I am also doing retul fit in February. I am hoping between those that I will be able to decide. From the car descriptions, it seems like one will be a good fit 
My tri bike is too aggressive for this distance so going to use a road bike. Thank you for the tip. I will look at the venge
I’ve owned both (MANY MANY tarmacs over the years) my 2020 Roubaix has a bit more comfort in the saddle with the redesign of the seat post and seat post clamp on the current frame. The frame itself is not any less stiff than the Tarmac (SL6) and it’s VERY easy to match your position from one to the other, you just have to compare the geo charts and buy accordingly. I ride a 56 Tarmac but go with a 54 Roubaix and I have the same saddle to bar drop on both and I use a 110mm stem on the Roubaix vs a 90mm stem that was on my SL6.
I personally did not like the future shock (tried both versions) so I had a buddy who is a machinist make an adapter that matched the profile of the future shock to drop in the steerer tube so the suspension and it’s associated weight is no longer there (my Roubaix is 16.5 lbs now). I did put the S-Works aerofly 25mm rise bars on to improve the vibration dampening and it’s all I need on the front of the Roubaix.
As far as ride quality that really comes down to what wheels and tires you run and to me this is where the differences in the 2 really are. My SL6 was always set up with 25’s, it probably could have gone 30s from certain brands but not sure who as I never tested it. However I decided to see what the Roubaix was capable of a few weeks ago and tested it out with a 35c PanaRacer Gravel King which fit front and rear!
If you like the idea of running wider tires or having a swiss army bike the Roubaix is a really good option. If you wanna go fast, never really get on rough roads or gravel and run 30c or less tires then the Tarmac is a really good option. However after making the changes I have made to my Roubaix I was faster on it on the same route than I was on my SL6 (rode both bikes with the same wheelset to eliminate that as a possible factor)
My tri bike is too aggressive for this distance so going to use a road bike. Thank you for the tip. I will look at the venge
What do you mean by “too aggressive”?
I meant being in an aero position. On my blue triad, I had it built for short courses. I since learned after visiting many bike shops that I can’t raise the bars any higher. This has been very hard on my back on rides 40+ miles.
I meant being in an aero position. On my blue triad, I had it built for short courses. I since learned after visiting many bike shops that I can’t raise the bars any higher. This has been very hard on my back on rides 40+ miles.
It sounds like you should get a proper fit on your tri bike.
I have been fit twice. After I hurt my back (had surgery last year), it turns out the bike can’t be fit to my new needs. I am fine on short rides but long rides require a different position. Post surgery, my needs have really changed.
I meant being in an aero position. On my blue triad, I had it built for short courses. I since learned after visiting many bike shops that I can’t raise the bars any higher. This has been very hard on my back on rides 40+ miles.
It sounds like you should get a proper fit on your tri bike.
Can you post pics of your bike or you on your bike?
I bought a Roubaix Expert in July. I bought it because I wanted an alternative for road riding other than my TT bike (BMC TM02). I wanted the alternative to be comfortable to ride and current with newer bike technology (DI2, disc brakes, wider tires). My new Roubaix has satisfied those needs. I’ve also found that it may just replace my gravel bike (Diverge) due to the ability to run wider tires. I’ve been able to swap my Diverge wheelset to the Roubaix and have successfully tested this possibility. I think what I will do is buy a nice(er) Roval wheelset for road and use the 38s that came with it for gravel. I do have lower back issues from time to time and I’m pushing 65 so the Roubaix’s relaxed geometry made sense for me. I’m sure it will be the last road bike I ever purchase.
I recently got the 2020 Roubaix and its designed for comfort, between the shock technology in front and the recessed seat post in the back. And its GREAT! With that said, I went for a fit FIRST and was told that i can only fit into a Roubaix or Trek Madone (Tarmac doesnt work for my fit specs). Good luck!
Having owned both bikes. This is the perfect analogy.