Upgrades for my Specialized Roubaix Comp

mwroberts
mwroberts Posts: 2
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
In the end bought a 2 year olld Specialized Roubaix Comp and by going for second hand am left with £600 for upgrades. Currently has Shimano 105 groupset and Mavic Open Pro wheels.

What would be the most effective use of my £600?

Comments

  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    hmm..

    £600 is a lot to spend on upgrades!

    firstly does it 'need' anything replaced - chain, cassette etc - only two years old but if it has a few miles on it then it could be worth a service.

    Is it full 105 - or does it have unbranded items? - brake calipers and crankset are the usual suspects here - i'd bring it all up to 105 if need be.

    Are you happy with the saddle bars and pedals? - make changes here if you see fit although not really an 'upgrade' they will make life more pleasant over a long haul.

    other than that - usual suspects - wheels and tyres!! - not sure what I would get for £600 - if it's a shimano bike then possbly some high range shimano wheels - can you get anything with a dura-ace badge for that money?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I wouldn't rush to upgrade anything till you've been riding it a while. By then you'll know what you're not happy with.

    As gkerr4 says, if the drivetrain is OK, contact points are the usual suspects for upgrading, since that's where you and the bike meet, or wheels and tyres.

    If it was me, I'd be happy to have saved £600, and treat myself to some new bibshorts and a Garmin 705.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    £600 = 2nd "winter bike"
    Cycling weakly
  • barbej
    barbej Posts: 23
    My wife has one and I would say they don't really have any really weak components. The brakes are not quite as good as normal Shimano 105, nothing I would loose sleep about though. You could get more aerodynamic wheels if you do races and time trials, but the ones they come with are perfect for club rides. I would make sure you had some really decent clothes etc first. Gore do excellent waterproof and windproof jackets that will allow you to ride well in winter without feeling cold or getting sweaty.
  • sjeffer
    sjeffer Posts: 47
    I upgraded the wheels and tyres - Bontrager RaceLites and Michelin Pro Race 3. No noticeable degradation in comfort with a marked increase in speed and robustness (the Shimano RS10 it originally come with would vibrate above 40mph).
    'I am an optimist. It does not seem to be much use being anything else.' - Sir Winston Churchill.
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    (the Shimano RS10 it originally come with would vibrate above 40mph).

    Hmm! And as you must spend at least 5% of ride time above 40mph!!!! (unless we are addresing Mr Wiggins, or Mr Armstrong?) They must be a good investment eh?
    regards
    Dave :shock:
  • sjeffer
    sjeffer Posts: 47
    It happened while descending Holme Moss in the wet, not an experience I want to repeat (the wheel wobble not the descending :wink: ).
    'I am an optimist. It does not seem to be much use being anything else.' - Sir Winston Churchill.
  • bicyclerubber
    bicyclerubber Posts: 13
    contact points would be top of my list

    saddle / shorts - SMP4Bike by Selle SMP and Assos work well for me

    shoes / pedals - sidi / look are great for me

    bars / tape / mitts - not really settled on a brand of bar yet (25 years on a bike and still changing, lol / want to try lizardskins dsp but £25 for bar tape! / I go through mitts at 3 pairs per summer and have Sealskinz in wet / winter

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