This article first appeared on BikeRadar.
Third in the line of Specialized Tarmac Disc bikes — behind the two Di2 models — the Tarmac Pro Disc offers the same race-bike-meets-discs geometry as its top-end siblings, along with carbon clinchers, hydraulic braking and mechanical shifting.
If you want a race-geometry machine with disc brakes, and you're okay being locked into using the Roval wheels with proprietary spacing that allows for said race-bike-meets-discs geometry, then the Tarmac Pro Disc could be the perfect bike for you.
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I spent a number of months testing the top-end S-Works Tarmac Disc, and honestly the only thing keeping it from a full five-star ranking was the wheel issue. It remains the best disc road bike I have ridden by a long shot. For context, I prefer race geometry to the taller, longer endurance geometry that accommodates the extra hub width and necessary chainstay length for discs. The Tarmac Disc bikes handle exactly like race machines, with confident, nimble steering, efficient acceleration and a lively overall feel.
Only a few road disc bikes venture off the tall-head-tube, long-wheelbase map of endurance bikes. The Focus Cayo Disc bikes have shorter head tubes (but still longer wheelbases and somewhat slack head tubes). The Rose Xeon CDX 3100 Di2 gets closer to race geometry, with a shorter head tube and shorter (411mm) chainstays. This Tarmac Pro Disc, in a size 56cm, measures 160mm at the 73.5-degree head tube and 405mm and the chainstays.
Specialized uses unique rear hub spacing to keep the chainstay's short (405mm) for racy handling while still fitting in the disc rotor and keeping a good chainline. the total package is excellent, but it means you can't switch wheels: specialized uses unique rear hub spacing to keep the chainstay's short (405mm) for racy handling while still fitting in the disc rotor and keeping a good chainline. the total package is excellent, but it means you can't switch wheels
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