Roubaix Expert -too good a bike for leisure rider?

AndyK2479

I'm thinking of buying a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Expert 2011, I'm a fledgling MAMIL and enjoy getting out on the road and doing some nice long leisuely rides, thinking about doing some sportives next Spring /Summer.

I'm currently on a Secteur Comp and am doing a London To Paris on it but love the look of the Roubaix and will possibly get one as a reward to myself

My question is a bike like the Roubaix at £2800 a too good a bike for a enthusiastic amateur like me?

The carbon is supposed to be really stiff, FACT 10 in Specialized catalogue, and I've been told that I might find it too unforgiving and it really is designed for the (younger) pro's, even on a comfort bike like the Roubaix.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

danowat

Buy the best you can afford, and if you can afford it, why not.

Omar Little

If you can afford it get your dream bike rather than something which -even if it was equally as good - will always feel a bit lesser simply as a result of it not being your dream bike!

HamishD

It's a lovely bike (I had one a couple of years ago) even if the price has gone up by 40% in that time.

Not too unforgiving at all and quite an upright position compared with most road bikes, yet it is plenty stiff enough in the areas where needed.


If you can afford it, and if it makes you happy, buy it.

antfly

Why not get the 2010 version and save yourself about £900 ?
I did that in 2008 with a roubaix expert. Mine's Fact 8, if it makes a difference, but it's pretty comfortable.

porker33

It makes sense to me..that way, you have a very capable machine, the only potential weak link is your good self, so you know it is up to you, to put the effort in....no excuses!

As an aside, personally I am not a fan of the "Daily Mail" acronym MAMIL, I feel MAMAL is far more appropriate, where middle aged men are abusing lycra.

AndyK2479

This will sound really shallow, but the 2011 model is blue and white, with a little bit of black on the frame. I'm a Sheffield Wednesday fan, its same colours as they play in and more than anything it's lovely to look at.

I'm an Owl, I need something to keep me smiling!!

giant_man

No bike is too good for a leisure rider, not least a Specialized! Get it, ride it and enjoy it, that's what cycling's about for heaven's sake.

Mr Dog

I have news for you my friend.. your addiction to all things shiny will only get worse. If you can pay the piper.. why not. I bet your mum would would disagree with your analysis, nothing is too good for her son. 8)

ugo.santalucia

Leisure riding is the noblest form of riding... the one where you need the best possible bike. A bike can be too good to race on, as you will be scared to damage it... but no bike can be too good to be parked outside a cafe'...
Peer approval is 50% of the enjoyment for a real leisure rider...

And remember, the bigger the belly, the bigger the Logos you need...

vorsprung

AndyK2479 wrote:

My question is a bike like the Roubaix at £2800 a too good a bike for a enthusiastic amateur like me?

The carbon is supposed to be really stiff, FACT 10 in Specialized catalogue, and I've been told that I might find it too unforgiving and it really is designed for the (younger) pro's, even on a comfort bike like the Roubaix.

I've just bought a Roubaix Comp to replace a broken titanium bike

I've only ridden it about 100 miles so far but first impressions are that the frame is stiff- it responds well to power but the ride is comfortable

Compared to a steel or Aluminium bike the ride is better
Compared to a Ti bike, there is more high frequency buzz from the road but is it much better at absorbing larger bumps.

The stiffness on an ideal carbon frame is supposed to transmit all the power to the road but none of the noise from the road to the rider.

benno68

Take one out for a test, if it feels good - get it! If it doesn't feel 100%, find one that does and go for it. If your spending that sort of money, make sure you have a thorough bike fit and a decent test ride!

I'm nearly 42 and just picked up a good deal on a 2010 Cube Agree GTC Race after riding an aluminium Giant Defy 2 for the last 2 years after a long break from cycling.

Although not in the same league as the Roubaix Expert I find that the Cube encourages me to ride harder, I'm hoping that this will help me improve my fitness and cycling ability.

Good luck with the London - Paris, hmm, maybe a good idea to get a new bike for that ride rather than as a reward for doing it.

bhickey

I have the Expert 2009 and it's great - extremely comfortable to ride and it seems to absorb the bumps on the road. I looked at lots of different types but was eventually persuaded to to go for this one and never regretted it (both tyres went v quickly though, which has been my only (minor) gripe).

The price seems to have gone up though - I paid £2000 for mine a year ago....

carrock

AndyK2479 wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Expert 2011, I'm a fledgling MAMIL and enjoy getting out on the road and doing some nice long leisuely rides, thinking about doing some sportives next Spring /Summer.

I'm currently on a Secteur Comp and am doing a London To Paris on it but love the look of the Roubaix and will possibly get one as a reward to myself

My question is a bike like the Roubaix at £2800 a too good a bike for a enthusiastic amateur like me?

The carbon is supposed to be really stiff, FACT 10 in Specialized catalogue, and I've been told that I might find it too unforgiving and it really is designed for the (younger) pro's, even on a comfort bike like the Roubaix.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

The more portly and unfit the more a rider needs to spend

Thus a fat middleaged unfit man on a roubaix s works or trek madone 6.9 will earn the respect and undying admirartion of his peers. especially if he has to get off and push up hills, while sweating profusely and gasping for air. team replica kit helps as well....must include jersey, team shorts and socks.

northpole

My instinctive reaction is that £2,800 is getting into silly money for a Roubaix Expert - there really seems to have been a huge price hike on middle/ upper range bikes in the last two or three years.
If you have this money to spare, I had a quick look on cycle surgery's site where they are offering a 2010 Roubaix Pro with dura-ace for just under £3k. I haven't checked the Expert spec but please do consider what groupset (often a mixture on Specialized bikes) and wheels come with the Expert vs the Pro.
I've heard it said that the top model frames tend to trickle down through the range in subsequent years as the top range ones get the latest carbon technology - not sure if that is correct but it kind of makes sense.
I have a Roubaix Pro from 2007 which has served me very well and will continue to do so for another couple of years (accidents permitting). Whilst the 2010 model will no doubt have a stiffer frame and the 2011 may have an even better frame, at my level of fitness I don't suppose it will make the slightest difference.
If the 2011 Expert happens to just tick all your aesthetic boxes then be assured it will be a good bike and absolutely go for it. Do have a ride on it and consider some alternatives incl last year's Pro model before deciding.
Best of luck.

Peter

AndyK2479

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning towards the Roubaix, but also considering these alternatives, and the reasons why they slightly lower down the list, but only slightly!

Bianchi Infinito Ultergra, lovely looking bike, comfortable but maybe a bit too "blingy"

Cube Agree SL PRO, geomatry not quite as relaxed as others, although significantly(300 quid) cheaper

Scott CR1 Pro, lovely to look at, understated, comfortable, not best warranty on frame

Various Ti framed bikes from Van Nichoolas, Enigma, Sabbath, only researched online, dont know what thr ride would be like compared to carbon. But like the idea of a

I want this bike to be a joy to ride and a bike I smile at when I open the garage door.,

By the way, as anyone got a specific secure bike shed, I want one of the metal ones by Trimtals or Asgard,that you usually have outside the house, this will be going in the garage as an extra security measure, planning permission decision for a travellers site less than a mile from our house is imminent, I dont like sterotyping but........our local council looks like giving the go ahead.

benno68

As said earlier, I recently bought a Cube Agree GTC Race and I love it. I find it more comfortable than my Giant Defy which has a more relaxed geometry.

If you are considering Ti, have a look at:

http://www.burls.co.uk/index.php

I was very tempted.

ugo.santalucia

AndyK2479 wrote:

Thanks for the replies, I'm leaning towards the Roubaix, but also considering these alternatives, and the reasons why they slightly lower down the list, but only slightly!

Bianchi Infinito Ultergra, lovely looking bike, comfortable but maybe a bit too "blingy"

Cube Agree SL PRO, geomatry not quite as relaxed as others, although significantly(300 quid) cheaper

Scott CR1 Pro, lovely to look at, understated, comfortable, not best warranty on frame

Various Ti framed bikes from Van Nichoolas, Enigma, Sabbath, only researched online, dont know what thr ride would be like compared to carbon. But like the idea of a

I want this bike to be a joy to ride and a bike I smile at when I open the garage door.,

By the way, as anyone got a specific secure bike shed, I want one of the metal ones by Trimtals or Asgard,that you usually have outside the house, this will be going in the garage as an extra security measure, planning permission decision for a travellers site less than a mile from our house is imminent, I dont like sterotyping but........our local council looks like giving the go ahead.

Sheds get very cold and humid in winter... I find that steel parts (bearings, chain, cassette etc... ) age very quickly in bikes left in humid cold environment. I can normally tell where you store your bike just by looking at your headset. If you invest 3K on a bike, you should really try to keep it in a better environment (at least a garage attached to the house, if not indoor). At least October-March

dag_on_a_bike

I have, sort of*, a 2008 Expert. Paid £1450 new in 8/07. At £2800 the 2011 Expert is nearly twice what I paid. Still, I bought mine because I wanted to, regardless. So, if you want it, get it.

I have no regrets and I'm sure you wont either.

*My 2008 Expert is now slightly modified - S-Works Roubaix 2009 frame, Dura-Ace 7850CL wheels, Ritchey WCS bar/stem, Romin SL saddle, S-Works carbon crankset, Dura-Ace 7800 STi. The only originals are the Ultegra brakes & F&R mechs. Replacements mainly as a result of a bit of an incident, and paid for by insurance.

AndyK2479

Saw the Scott CR1 Pro today in the flesh, it has put a right cat amongst the pigeons regarding my big purchase bike, really like the look of it and just by sitting on it, I felt 'at home'
Couldnt take it for a ride due to the seasonal weather but it has now leapfrogged Roubaix in the wish list (and it's £350 cheaper), just need to give one a spin, anyone got one and if so, whats your thoughts?

Andy

antfly

But is it in Sheff Wed colours? :?

AndyK2479

Finally, after testing quite a few bikes, I've put a deposit down on the Roubaix Expert. Went to my local bike shop, Thomas Cycle Revolution in Colchester, very helpful and will always get my custom.

They also have 1 of the very limited edition Roubaix Expert in vivid red/black, I'm told only a run of 50 of these, but I love the blue/white scheme so going for stock colour.

Need to sort garage space out and hopefully get the bike in March, the shop could get it within a week or two but I need to create room!!

Roll on decent weather and road repairs!