I'll message to keep it from clogging thread.
Going to apologise as thought I'd replied - but can't see it now. Much of what you asked me is all down to Fit (
which I've had multiples of from a local well regarded fitter - so really unnecessary for me specifically if you're spending time on it for me!) but others here may find the information useful & why certain things are done to improve a fit - so in my opinion keeping things in the thread here is a bit more useful, but also a bit more 'explainy' than doing a digital fit on me rather than face to face...
For me specifically I've always thought I had 'short legs for my height' (so I've got a long torso), much of my fit supports that (as does position on the bike - very minor saddle-bar drop). I've always been quite 'rocky' on the saddle and have done various bits of mobility/pilates/strengthening to try and even it out over the years - with very little success. I've pretty much gave up on trying to fix it - 'just one of those things'. So was not too surprised when a Fit flagged up the leg imbalance. I think I 'knew' without being told, if that makes sense? Matt (my fitter) explaining how riding a narrow saddle for my sit bones, on regular 172.5 cranks with the imbalance was causing me to move quite a bit and can/would cause sores. Then demonstrating it in the videos of the RETUL fit - pausing at various points of a side on shot (both sides), then using the system to show the ankle angle differences between the two sides.
So much of his fit recommendation/changes on new bike was changing to shorter cranks - to promote more ankle rotation, with a wider saddle for more stability. The only other thing was narrower bars to make me more aero. He was happy with my position & flexibility on the 54cm frame. I'd gone in fairly convinced I should be on a 52cm Tarmac due to the leg length and it being more aggressive a geometry compared to the Diverge I was riding, but seems not!
Websites show them as this:
https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=5fa5ad268b2b9d00174aae5a,608740a65e818400218b08fe,
The new Tarmac is designed to go fast, there's no if's, and's, or but's about that—but it represents so much more than just aerodynamic prowess. With a ...
www.specialized.com
So actually not that far apart - the -31mm stack different being probably the biggest (not a problem for me as brings me further over the top of the bike anyway - with good flexibility I hunker down more frequently making me more aero).
Gratuitous photo at pit lane at Albert Park GP track on a Melbourne Winter morning below.
Good to see you still lurking and thank for the picture! Mega bike & deal - well done, but even more so - great speeds & power. Strong stuff!
You're that good on the bike then that's also why the change to the S5 feels so good for you - it's a big modern step up from what you had before (although the Madone would have been no slouch), so you're reaping the benefits of that modern stiffness and aero frame upgrade (unlike the rest of us hunting for marginal ones on what we have!)
Happy to answer any questions but I just truly believe mechanical offers the better experience so I'm sticking with it...
Edit: Though in what could be positive news the solicitors believe our house we are trying to sell abroad should hopefully sell this side of Christmas. So if that's the case hopefully I'll be able to join the cool-bike-club by the Spring... One can hope!
Not sure what took you to that opinion, other than denial?!
Good news on the house!
Have to admit I'm a Di2 convert after riding mechanical for many years (8), but it is a hard sell when costs are involved for new bikes/groupsets. It's an expense, which if you're trying to get a better bike/wheels for the money you can save some money by going mechanical to invest it in other things. Providing you can these days (getting harder to do!). But the performance you get, the reliability, the 'fit & forget' of it I'd recommend electronic. I wouldn't say going electronic has improved my riding that much, but it has certainly increased the enjoyment. The only reason I would encourage someone to go mechanical would be to save money and get a 'better' bike than they would have otherwise, but always with the advice to upgrade it at a later stage.
As soon as you're into the realms of looking at 'good' bikes (with less focus on saving money) then electronic all the way. Certainly with it now down to 12s 105 level on many manufacturers it's the only option with only the 'bottom end' bikes not being electronic. So the price divide is even bigger!
It was on my list with
Canyon endurace
Trek domane
Specialized Roubaix
BMC teammachine
Elves avari
Cheers
Great list, add the Cannondale Synapse into there too. You really can't go wrong with any of those but also consider if this is going to be a 'do everything' bike what tyres you'll be running and if you'll be also running full mudguards so get one with clearance/mounting points for them. Endurance you'll be riding 28mm at least, all modern frames should have clearance for guards with them, but if you're heading towards 32mm things can get tight very quickly for full/fitted guards.
Saw some bloke faffing with his earlier and just thought the benefit was far outweighed by the messing around. Rather just have a small saddle bag.
Hopefully new roadbike should turn up this week. Went for the giant tcr advanced pro with rival axs groupset in the end. Hopefully shouldn't be too much of a departure from my felt FR1 just with the benefit of the removal of untimely death if it rains mid ride and I have to break.
Posterior man satchels all the way! Screw The Rules! Maybe I'm a traditionalist but spending £12000 on a modern aero bike and the best aero wheels you can get, to then compromise it with the aero drag of a handlebar bag to 'look cool' rather than using pockets and a saddle bag. Idiots!
Great news on the bike & good choice with the TCR, you'll love it!
Your other half still doing things with shoes? I've a pair of
Fizik Powerstrap R5 in 'Coral' with a big scuff on the inside heel (bought them like it). I'm not going to wear them any more (too narrow for me - end up with sore little pinkys every time!) just wonder if getting a repair/coverup done on them is worth it to flog them.
