Specialized Roubaix Feedback Wanted

Kurvenal

I have not bought a road bike in many, many years as have been only doing off-road cycling, but my girlfriend has a great new road bike that she wants to use so I have decided to take the plunge. We are not going to be riding at competitive level but will want to do some cycle touring holidays, so comfort will be more of a priority than speed. A friend has recommended a Specialized Roubaix, which seems to be at a price point that makes sense for me right now. Am looking for feedback on the Roubaix, either pro or con, and would also welcome alternative suggestions.

JohnnyAllez

Mine`s an `07 model Roubaix Elite. Great bike, built it up fairly light using some new Ultegra 6700 wheels, great set of wheels, light, seem to be strong and good price (£200) as no-one seems to be buying them (they don`t look as bling as some other makes) Seems to be a bit more comfortable than my Spesh Allez Elite (they are set up pretty much the same), the carbon frame definitely takes some of the buzz out of the road.

ajb72

I owned a 2008 S Works Roubaix and sold it early on in 2009 - I have regretted it ever since! It was a sublime ride, a great balance of comfort and performance.

I am no power sprinter etc but never noticed any flex, despite weighting over 14 stone at the time. The geometry is spot on for all day riding, although you could have easily raced the frame too. The build quality was also superb. I'm sure if you buy one you won't be dissapointed.

LazyBoycp

I have an '07 Expert and really like it. It's certainly more comfortable than I expected a road bike to be, but I've not ridden any other road bikes so it's difficult to compare.

Not sure how suitable it would be for touring though - there aren't any eyelets for racks or mudguards. If you're doing fully supported touring (i.e. you have all your luggage transported from point to point by van each day) then it would obviously be fine.

Alternatives? I'm sure there are loads of good bikes around that price point, but I haven't really been looking so am not going to be much help there either! You could even have a custom frame built by, say, Bob Jackson, Roberts, Brian Rourke, etc.

gkerr4

I have an 08 S-works with campag and I love it - great ride qualty and comfort.

but - I agree - you are going to struggle to use it for touring as it has no rack or mudguard mounts. It would get by with p-clips and a race-blades but realy it would be a waste - the roubaix is designed for sportives and long day-rides - and at these events it excels - but there are other bikes better suited to touring and multi-use stuff.

thexvw

Roubaix is a fantastic bike, get one you wont be sorry!

dgstewart

I have a Roubaix Comp 2009 and it really is a great bike - very comfortable but still pretty quick and responsive. I absolutely love it!

However, I agree wih some of the previous replies. As great as it is, I don't think it is suitable for proper touring. I have the new Crud roadracer guards fitted which work very well, but it's the lack of eyelets for panniers that might cause most problems.

Kurvenal

First of all, thanks to everyone for the feedback on the Specialized Roubaix. I am pleased that so many of you are saying such great things about the bike. As for the touring issue, we are only going to ride on self-guided tours where the luggage will be transported point to point, so I think it should work particularly as I can now see that road bike technology has changed so much in the past ten years that I would be denying myself a truly new riding experience if I did not go for a bike like this or something comparable.

I have started looking around at bike shops, and in addition to the Roubaix it looks like other bikes around the same price point include the Trek Madone 4.5, Bianchi Coast to Coast, Cannondale Synapse and a Wilier Mortirolo. The Trek is available from Cyclefit, which really does a good job fitting the bike which I am tempted to go for since I think it could be worth it in terms of what I avoid in terms of knee and back pain, etc, but I am also going to check out Mosquito Bikes and Condor as they also come recommended for good fitting, so may come back looking for feedback on some other options.

Thanks again.

Brocade

Have a Roubaix Expert 09. This is a fantastic bike. My Colnago CLX is a special thing but very focused, compared to that, the Roubaix is a much easier ride. In the high end, the Roubaix is the best choice in my opinion if your are not after a focused race oriented ride.

Like the previous posts, Ive noticed no flex. I am 175cm 78kg and ride a 54cm frame.

antfly

I got a Roubaix expert 2008 and I think it`s great, perfect for long rides but fun too.

KINGGARY

I have a 2010 roubaix , my first road bike for many years .
i'm used to comfort as my other bike is a trek fuel ex8 full bouncer , i have to say that i tried a few road bike due to having a rather dodgy lower back , the roubaix was for me the most comfortable.
The position is more upright than many frames however its easy enough to get low on the drops when required.
I am entering my first sportive 'the midland monster' such is my faith in the bike
I hope if you get one you enjoy it as much as i am

Heckler1974

I also have a 2010 Roubaix (expert) and the amount of road noise it dampens makes a big difference in the long trip comfort. Also entering my first sportive this year because of the comfort confidence I get from the bike.

Jaysus I sound like an advert.

gkerr4

Kurvenal wrote:

I have started looking around at bike shops, and in addition to the Roubaix it looks like other bikes around the same price point include the Trek Madone 4.5, Bianchi Coast to Coast, Cannondale Synapse and a Wilier Mortirolo. The Trek is available from Cyclefit, which really does a good job fitting the bike which I am tempted to go for since I think it could be worth it in terms of what I avoid in terms of knee and back pain, etc, but I am also going to check out Mosquito Bikes and Condor as they also come recommended for good fitting, so may come back looking for feedback on some other options.

Thanks again.

some good choices there - i would just say one thing - the willier is probably the only one which isn't designed as a 'sportive' bike and you might find that it is a little bit more racng focused than the rest - but yes the bianchi is goregous, the cannondale likewise - i'm not a huge trek fan (although I have one!) but the madone is well loved too.

dag_on_a_bike

Roubaix Expert 2008. Brilliant.

Trashed the frame and a few other bits about 18 months ago. Frame replaced with 2008 Roubaix S-Works, bar & stem with Ritchey WCS and since replaced crankset with S-Works carbon. Even more brilliant.