Meet The Bikes

By Mark Heggestad
Here we are.  From Left to Right: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Me (Blessed Beyond Measure), Specialized Roubaix Expert

Brian and I are each bringing two bikes – primarily to have a second option should something happen to the other.  As much as my bikes may look alike they do serve different needs.  Meet Bike 1: a Specialized Tarmac Expert I have owned for four years.  Meet Bike 2: a Specialized Roubaix Expert I just bought a month ago.  Both bikes are made out of carbon, which provides a much lighter bike than those made of steel or aluminum.  A carbon bike also absorbs more road vibration than steel or aluminum thus making it a wee bit more comfortable.

When I purchased the Tarmac I wanted a true “road-racing” bike made for performance, and that is exactly what I got.  It is more efficient, but not as comfortable, as the Roubaix.  The Tarmac is designed so I ride in a flat aerodynamic position.  I have also mounted aerobars to the Tarmac so I can really stretch my body out and optimize my wind resistance.  The Tarmac will be my go to bike when we are on flat ground and just want to grind out some miles fast.  It will definitely be my go to bike when we are facing strong headwinds.

My new Roubaix is also a high performance road-racing bike, but it provides more comfort than the Tarmac – hopefully without giving up too much efficiency (its all a balancing act between performance and comfort).  The Roubaix is actually named after, and designed for, a famous bike race which ends in Roubaix France.  It is one of the oldest professional bike races (first raced in 1896) and is by far one of the “bumpiest” bike races, with the majority of the race on rough streets and cobblestones.  Whereas most race courses have endeavored to make the surface as smooth as possible for the riders, the Roubaix has gone through great pains to assure the course is true to its original surface (primarily cobblestone).  Accordingly, bike manufacturers have gone through great pains to build bikes for their professional riders that provide a higher degree of efficiency and comfort when racing the Roubaix and Specialized has named it’s bike “The Roubaix”.

Verses my Tarmac, the Roubaix has special “shock absorbing” mechanisms in the handlebar stem and seat stem to remove some of the vibration that normally punishes the body – especially this old body.  It also is slightly shorter from seat to handlebar and the handlebars are marginally higher thus forcing me to sit in a slightly more upright position.  End result - a little less aerodynamic and a lot more comfortable.  In addition the wheels are slightly wider (28mm vs. 22mm) which means they absorb a little more vibration, and finally it has a wider range of gears than the Tarmac so I will have access to lower gears when climbing the mountains.   The Roubaix also has disc brakes, thus making it much safer in rain and on mountain descents.  So, the Roubaix will likely be my primary bike, especially in the mountains.

When I was young and senseless all I wanted was performance, so I bought the Tarmac.  Now that I am older and oh-so-much wiser I have learned to sacrifice performance for comfort.  Thank goodness I have wizened up!

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 24, 2017 at 6:45 AM

    Loved about the bikes and how you plan to use them during your ride. Very thoughtful and well planned. I have also found that wider wheels make a huge difference on comfort. Love to hear what you will be monitoring as you ride: will you track heart rate, speed, cadence, power....any other vitals to keep track of your health?

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