Specialized Roubaix alternatives

inconsequential

Hi, looking to get myself a road bike to get some more miles in when I'm pig sick of dragging my mtb through the gloop. Now the Specialized Roubaix really appeals, nice carbon frame and more comfortable geometry than the out and out racers out there. While the bike really appeals Specialized the brand do not (a bit silly I know but there you go). Who else produces a bike in the same vein as the Roubaix, my LBS has a lovely looking Wilier Mortirolo - but only in a teeny tiny size - is this a "Roubaix" equivalent. Thanks peeps.

Aidocp

When I was thinking about a Spesh Roubaix I also decided to check out the Bianchi C2C 928 range. I think the latest C+ mag gives a review on one and compares it to a Roubaix

bladerider

Have a look at the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Its 'relaxed' and comfortable while still being stiff and responsive. I preferred it to the the Roubaix and bought one. Done about 1000 miles on it and its going great. Definitely the right choice for me.

Steveorow

I second what Bladerider said . Tried the Roubaix before plumping for the Cannondale Synapse . The roubaix flet a but dead and unresponsive . Personal choice though see if you can try them both and then decide .
I think the Cannondale won C+ and the Cycling weeklys performance bike of the year against the Roubaix and others last year .
Could not get a test of the Willier when in the market . Its supposed to be equivalent and gets good write ups . Jashbraum on the old C+ forum has a Mortirolo and raved about it

Others to think about

Speciaized Tarmac
Giant Pilot series
Kuota Kharma ( Gets gret write ups )
Felt F55( its aluminium and Carbon )
.

inconsequential

Thanks for all the head up lads.

Aidocp - is that a Bianchi C2C 928 in your pictures. Whatever it is it's bloomin lovely. Oooo Bianchi also do a Titanium framed C2C *ponders a life of debt*

What was the gen in the latest C+ about the bikes mentioned - can;t seem to find a copy locally.

Aidocp

Yeah thats the C2C, I was partial to the Titanium frame too at the time

grape72

I have a mortirolo and it's very nice, feels really fast and great on the hills, I've got mine set up similarly to how a roubaix would be, fairly upright.

richa

grape72 wrote:

I have a mortirolo and it's very nice, feels really fast and great on the hills, I've got mine set up similarly to how a roubaix would be, fairly upright.

grape72,

I'm really fancy getting a mortirolo, but have been told that the frame doesn't suit all and they have quite a low front end. I want a sportive set-up so roubaix-esque sounds great. Have you had to use many spacers to get the bars up to a comfortable height for long rides?

Cheers,

acorn_user

You can get some stems with decent rise if you look *really* hard. My LBS managed to get a Ritchey which does well. I have the fork maxed out on spacers and the rise on the stem, and it's still a bit lower than I'd like. If you got a frame with a threaded fork, you can raise the bars far more easily. If you are looking at Sportive bikes, why not consider Audax type bikes too?

Speck

I have been riding a Specialized Sirrus and for my 60th Birthday I have treated myself to a Wilier Mortirolo. I looked at the Roubaix and the Bianchi C2C but the Wilier seemed to be better kitted out. As I live in the Mendips and 60 years old I wanted compact gearing, couldn't get any sense out of Bianchi and most of their dealers, they all wanted to charge me for the change.

I ended up going upto Epic Cycles in Worcestershire and they spent 3 hours with me and upgraded the wheels to Racing 5's and were still £60 under list.

They are in a wonderful Tythe Barn with loads of space, they set the bike up, put on some "demo wheels" and said see you in half an hour!

Keeping the Sirrus for winter.

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/index.htm

Lucky Luke

"................they set the bike up, put on some "demo wheels" and said see you in half an hour! "


sounds like you just rode of with it :shock:

Mark Alexander

If you're going for a carbon frame, Felt F4 (i love mine) or for Alu '- Felt F55 which is very wll equiped.

http://www.feltracing.com/default.asp

gkerr4

Mark Alexander wrote:

If you're going for a carbon frame, Felt F4 (i love mine) or for Alu '- Felt F55 which is very wll equiped.

http://www.feltracing.com/default.asp

surely the 'Z' series is the roubaix equiv - the relaxed geometry bikes in Felt range.

quite nice actually - I didn't know they existed until I followed your link

PeterMolloy

I've had a Trek Pilot for 12 months now, and it's been excellent. However, you might like to check out the new Trek Madone range....they are doing both a Performance and a Race version. The Performance version is said to be the equivalent of the Roubaix i.e higher front end and more sportif oriented. The initial reviews i.e C+ are very positive.
Strikes me that after Armstrong left, Trek have gone for the more 'normal' shaped compact frame i.e top tube slopes backwards, based more on the Pilot style.

digitaria

I don't suppose a Trek will appeal to the OP any more than a Spesh.

For a nice Italian, carbon, sportive-orientated bike that looks a million dollars but doesn't resemble everything else out there - have a look at this

There is a very complimentary magazine review available on their website.

richa

That very same site describes the Mortirolo as follows:

"A carbon race bike that is perfect for fast sportive riding. Light, responsive and comfortable, with outstanding handling."

So should be fine for sportives/long rides...

keebo

Felt? - I've ridden an F65 for a couple of years; same frame as F55 - great bike but a little bit low in the front. Solution? a Salsa Stiff Upper Lip stem with a fair ammount of rise - this raised the bars enough to avoid the dreaded "head down arse up" position.
Roubaix? - I have now changed to a Roubaix Comp and have found it to be better than my beloved Felt. I can ride much further before feeling any discomfort - it definitely is an all-day bike - I love it!!

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allaction

I have the Cannondale Synapse Carbon and it is fantastic at longer rides and is plenty quick for me too. I recently bought a mates crashed one for the bits too and are transplanting them on to this frame http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=005 got great write ups and am waiting from it returning fully rebuilt with 105 Shimano and Mavic Aksiums. If you're interested in the frame you could try calling the number and haggling, as I did, you could get a real bargain. Frame only weighs 1100 grams which is lighter than Specialized Comp frame I think.