Specialized Roubaix Front End Tracking

Harry_Q

I have a Specialized Roubaix Elite, 2006, which replaced my old steel steed. It's a great bike but I find the front end does not track as well or predicatably as my old steel bike. For example I could happily take hands of the bars on my old bike but not on the Specialized. Also when out of the saddle it can feel like the handling is a little unstable.

The bike is still fitted with the as supplied Alex 298 wheels set, nothing special. My question is, is this a characteristics of carbon frame and forks / modern bikes or is it an issue witha front fork that has to much lateral movement of flexible wheels.

What upgrade advice can you offer if the fork or wheels are to blame.

Thanks

Adrian

Smokin Joe

Assuming nothing is crash damaged you have probably got steeper front-end geometry on the Spesh which makes it a lot twitchier than your old bike.

Monty Dog

The Roubaix was deliberately designed to run 'soft' so consequently it isn't very stiff and probably accounts for your problem. Steering geometry and castor angle can affect how the bike feels too - but you'll soon adapt. Apart from making sure your headets is adjusted correctly or fitting a stiffer fork, there's little you can do.

Harry_Q

Thanks for the feedback, however, due to simple experimentation I now know what the problem is. Went out this morning but put the front wheel in off my old bike. This is a 25 year old handbuilt wheel with Campag hubs, stainless steel spokes and Mavic GP4 Rims -still running true. The difference was huge - no stability problems any more and the ride even with just the front changed was much more sprightly.

So I knew the wheels fitted to the the Roubaix were cheap but today showed just how crap they are. Therfore I now need some new wheels. I've got a budget of up to £200, £250 if there is something significantly better for the extra money.

Should I get factory built wheels like Campag or Mavic or I'm I better getting a handbuilt set for this sort of money?

Thanks

Adrian

simbil1

£200-£250 gets some nice hand built wheels - mine were around £220 and are the best I've ever ridden in terms of reasonable lightness and solidness.

Gussio

simbil1 wrote:

£200-£250 gets some nice hand built wheels - mine were around £220 and are the best I've ever ridden in terms of reasonable lightness and solidness.

+1 for handbuilts. On my Roubaix Pro 2006 frame, I have Mavic Open Pro rims built on Ultegra hubs. No complaints.