Contemplating Specialized Roubaix - Any Alternatives?

cyclinghaggis

Hi everyone,

I currently have a 2008 Specialized Allez sport. Recently I've been going on longer rides at the weekends and I've been finding that the ride comfort is an issue when I've been out for longer than an hour or so. Because of this I'm contemplating purchasing a new Specialized Roubaix when the 2012 models are released (or possibly a 2011 model if there are any discounts avaialble and I can get the right size [54cm] ).

I realise Specialized also do an Aluminium fram version of the Roubaix (Secteur) but I've got a hankering to try out a carbon fibre road bike and I think it would likely make the overall ride more complient.

Currently I'm thinking of possibly going for a Roubaix Elite 2012 which retails for around £2000. What other manufacturers models should I be looking at for the same price which are equivalent to the Roubaix?

TIA

If anyone is looking to sell a Roubaix [54cm] feel free to PM me by the way! I'm in Aberdeen, Scotland.

vorsprung

I recently got a Specialized Roubaix

Here's some articles about how I decided, alternative bikes etc from my blog

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2010/09/0 ... -new-bike/

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2010/09/2 ... test-ride/

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2010/09/2 ... x-tuesday/

Wamas

If you find it uncomfortable after 1 hour, the answer is probably that the bike you have is not set up well for you. Does your current bike fit you correctly? Have you had it fitted properly?

Yes Roubaix's are comfortable bikes, but if you buy one and don't have it set up for you, then it too will be uncomfortable.

My recommendation (from personal experience) is to go and get a bike fit, set up your own bike first and see how you go. Then if you still want to buy a new bike, at least then you will know the size, geometry etc that you should buy.

Simple things like having too wide a bar, or too long a stem can give chronic back ache. Also saddle height and drop height to the bars can have a big impact in legs, arms and back pain.

EarlyGo

Hi haggis

Agree with Wamas, get a bike fit if you can. For £2000 you'll get a mighty nice bike though and a wide choice too. Scott CR1, Cube Attempt GTC, Cannondale Synapse as well as the Roubaix.

If you want something comfortable and are prepared to try something different, have a look at Titanium. It gives a lovely smooth ride, but still plenty of feel. (I am biased I have a Van Nicholas Euros and think that it's one of cycling's best kept secrets! It's amazing!!) Edinburgh bikes in Aberdeen have a guy called Alex who rides one and could give you all the info. They can also supply and build a Van Nich to your spec (although they are more expensive than other dealers like Fat Birds.) Have you looked in Alpine Bikes? They have some nice Trek Madone's in that price range.

Regards, EarlyGo

cyclinghaggis

EarlyGo wrote:

Hi haggis

Agree with Wamas, get a bike fit if you can. For £2000 you'll get a mighty nice bike though and a wide choice too. Scott CR1, Cube Attempt GTC, Cannondale Synapse as well as the Roubaix.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone. My Specialized Allez was my first road bike and I bought it before I even know such things as "bike fits" existed! In terms of frame size the Allez is a 54cm model so it is the recommended size for my height 5"9.

I take you suggestions onboard and I guess it's something I should really do before buying another one! I had a look at the Trek Madone's 4/5 but the impression I got was that they were more geared to racing rather than endurance? Mind you, from what you say perhaps the fit is more important in terms of comfort than the actual ride itself.

What does the fitting itself actually involve? Is it just a case of measuring your arm/body/leg lengths and recommending Bike size/geometry/stem length/height accordingly?

Do you know if either Apline Bikes or Edinburgh Bike co-op in Aberdeen offer bike fitting services?

EarlyGo

A bike fit varies from just measuring your limbs etc all the way up to high tech computer generated graphics using a special fitting frame. Cost £100 - £300. Edinburgh bikes don't offer this. Don't know if Alpine do. I think the nearest to Aberdeen is the Tri Centre in Edinburgh so it would be a bit if a hassle!

Where are you feeling discomfort on longer rides? Someone may be able to offer advice as to saddle height, stem length etc. But as you say, off the peg 54cm would be roughly the right frame for you. Don't forget that handlebar width & height, stem length, crank length, saddle height, wheel stiffness and tyre pressure as well as the individual frame's geometry all affect your comfort.

The Madone 4.5 should be alright on the comfort front cos it's got a longish head tube (which generally equals a more upright and comfortable position) and has "Tour De France DNA" according to this years bike of the year review!

My first bike was a Specialized Secteur and it was very comfortable (just a bit of frame buzz). The Roubaix is generally acknowledged as the ultimate 'magic carpet' ride but some people think that it leaves you feeling a bit remote from the road. A test ride would obviously help you make your decision. However, IMHO, as you go up the Specialized range you start to pay a big premium for the Specialized name and other manufacturers I feel are offering better value for money. (Cube, Rose, Canyon, Van Nicholas etc).

Hope some of this is some use!!

Regards, EarlyGo

PS: Go Titanium, you know it makes sense!!

Ciclicasati

Evans are doing ultegra Cervelo Rs for £2k at the moment - worth looking into if you ar elooking at roubaix.

cyclinghaggis

EarlyGo wrote:

A bike fit varies from just measuring your limbs etc all the way up to high tech computer generated graphics using a special fitting frame. Cost £100 - £300. Edinburgh bikes don't offer this. Don't know if Alpine do. I think the nearest to Aberdeen is the Tri Centre in Edinburgh so it would be a bit if a hassle!

I had a feeling that Edinburgh/Glasgow might be the only options for a fitting service unfortunately. I think what I might do it go for an hour long test cycle on the Roubaix and see how I feel afterwards!

If there's still any discomfort then a fitting service is probably going to be my best option!

In terms of discomfort I guess the main thing I'm finding is in my hands/wrists feeling sore after riding for a while. I always feel like I'm putting too much weight on them. I've tried flipping the stem which helped quite a bit but it's still not quite resolved it. Possibly a shorter/higher stem might be an optinon but in general I'm finding the the Allez is a bit too "twichy" for my liking on the pothole ridden roads/lanes of Aberdeen hence why I'm contemplating changing it!

solboy

i went from an allez to a Van Nicholas Mistral (basically the same as a euros) and think its so much more comfortable to ride but also has a lively feel.

I have been riding a while now and i am currently looking to get a second road bike that gives a more racing position because i feel i have become more flexible, lighter and fitter.

cyclinghaggis

I've phoned up the local Edinburgh Bike Co-op. They don't do 'professional' fittings as such but they will offer to put you up on a Bike trainer and offer advice on position , stem/spacer adjustments and different saddle choices so I'm booked in to to that next week. That way I can at least see if it's possible to make the Allez a bit more comfortable for me as even if I do get another bike I'd like to keep it as a winter/spare ride.

Riding home tonight I think the main issues are my saddle just doesn't seem comfortable however I angle/adjust it (as though it's digging into my nether regions rather than actually supporting my sit bones like it should).I also feel like I'm too stretched out and putting too much weight on my hands/wrists though that could be a side effect of the saddle not being comforable. With any luck perhaps a change of saddle a slight stem adjustment might make all the difference.

The new 2012 Roubaix range isn't in until the end of the month and they dont have any 54cm models in just now to try out so there's no much I can do until then anyway! Might venture down to Alpine Bikes and see if I can try out a Trek just for a comparison in the meantime to see how it compares to my current bike. Ed Bike co-op seem to sell the Euros frameset but I don't know if they have the full bike to try out. Would like to give titanium a go as there seems to be a lot of love for it around this forum

cyclinghaggis

Ciclicasati wrote:

Evans are doing ultegra Cervelo Rs for £2k at the moment - worth looking into if you ar elooking at roubaix.

Looks right up my street actually but none of the local shop sell them by the looks of it and I don't think i could spend 2k on a bike without riding it first!

DrLex

No substitute for a trial at that price; I've just joined to post here about my joy at buying a Roubaix Expert test bike from my LBS- £1K off list for a demo model that did 2 trips round the car park prior to sale, yet full first owner warranty. I had thought of 56cm L, as per sizing chart and my height (6'), but preferred the 58cm XL after trying both.

Having had a hard tail Trek for the last 12 years and a basic urban Saracen for the decade prior, the bike is an utter revelation and I'm now contemplating an appropriate Roubaix-Paris ride next year.

carrock

Very often changing a stem is all that is required, as saddle height and reach are the 2 main adjusting points. Saddle fore-aft to an extent.

Most pros, for example ride a size too small frame with the saddle right back and a 130mm stem.......

EarlyGo

Haggis,

Didn't know that Edinburgh bikes would do that. Hopefully that'll sort out your discomfort. Although a new bike will obviously still be needed!!

I'm definitely not an expert but it sounds to me like you've diagnosed it yourself; I think you're too stretched out. Hand and wrist aches and sore nether region are the same symptoms I had. The sore man bits are caused by you effectively rotating from your sit bones onto the peranium (sp?) because you are stretching for the handlebars. When you are on the hoods and look down, where is the front wheel hub in relation to the handlebars? I was told that as a general rule of thumb it should be obscured by the handlebar tops. I suspect that your hub will be clearly visible to you in front of the handlebars. I moved my saddle forward a couple of mills and bought a stem that was 20mm shorter. Problem solved!

Good luck!

Regards, EarlyGo

guity

Other thing to look at may be saddle angle. If it is too nose down you will be slipping forwards and resisting that movement with your hands/shoulders. As above, see what the bike fit comes up with before buying a new steed. That said, there is always a good argument for a new bike, even if you dont really need it! I have a Canyoun CF ultimate which has a long head tube similar to a cervelo, but as you say you would want a test ride, that probably isnt a valid option.

unixnerd

After trying a few others I found a Charge Knife saddle worked well for me.

As for the Roubaix the main difference between the Elite and slightly dearer Comp seems to be that the former has a normal aluminium seatpost whereas the latter has one with a Zertz insert, just like the forks. It seems silly to buy a comfort oriented bike and skimp on this feature. Wheels might be different too, can't remember.

You might also look at the Cannondale Synapse, I think Alpine Bikes stock them but the Edinburgh Bicylce shop may too. The RRP prices are a bit of a joke though.

Pay attention to the wheelset. Neither of these bikes has one that has any place on a 2000 quid bike in my opinion. If buying from a dealer I'd be looking at upgrading to something better / lighter at purchase time.

Paul E

I have a mate with a roubaix elite compact and it has a CF seat post with the zertz insert and that came with it. I think they changed the groupset and upgraded the wheels for the comp over the elite.

Yeah the standard wheels (spesh own hubs and 32 spoke mavic cxp 22 rims) on the older roubaix are pants, heavy and lifeless

unixnerd

They've maybe changed the spec on the current model to save money. I'm only so clued up because I happened to look up this very point on the Specialized website last night. Fancying a Cannondale Synapse or Six carbon but they're a bit over priced and my LBS sells the Roubaix so it's second choice. I may end up buying just the frame and building it up myself.

warrerj

At that price point (i.e. £2k) I'd look down the custom build route. That way you can spend the money on the areas that are important to you. The norm is spend the money on frame and wheels first then groupset then the rest.

For a good guide to the correct size (no substitue for sittign on a bike) you could use this site:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

And for tips on bike fit this may be of use :
http://www.bikedynamics.co.uk/[/url]

niblue

I swapped one of my mountain bikes for a Specialized Roubaix and, now I've adjusted a few things to fit me better, I'm finding it noticeably more comfortable than my Boardman Team Carbon (which is itself fairly comfortable).

cyclinghaggis

Thanks for the replies everyone. Been riding on my bike again trying to work out what's not quite right and i'm definitely starting to feel that the saddle just isn't supporting my sit bones however I angle it regardless of my position on the bike. Not sure if I need a larger/smaller one, or just something shaped slightly differently..

Can hopefully try a few when I'm there with my bike and see what feels right. I'd halfway contemplated taking the saddle off my Mountain Bike just because I know I've never had any comfort issues with it!

cyclinghaggis

Well went for a quick bike measurement/check/ Tried a couple of different saddle/stems and decided I'm going to go for a 75mm stem in place of my current 100mm one. Think I'll keep the same 12 degree angle as the height seems OK. Just the reach that's annoying me.

Frustatingly though, due to it being the end of season for specialized kit, everywhere I've tried is out of stock of the 75mm comp stem.

If anyone know where I can get one please let me know!!

Otherwise guess I'll just have to wait until the 2012 kit starts arriving in another month or two .....

thecm

cycling haggis...I've had a Roubaix Expert since 2007 (when it cost £2k - some inflation since then, eh?) and it does posess a smooth ride (helped by the Spesh Armadillo 23/25 tires) and the fancy frame bits, mine has zertz in the seat stays, fork and seat post and a comfortable riding position. As another poster stated in comparison to a razor sharp 'racing' bike it feels a bit distant from the road as I've discovered in comparison to my new Canyon Ultimate CF. I'm sure you'd have many miles of comfortable riding on one but if you get one sort the stem, bars and saddle out, the BG saddles come in 3 widths for different arse sizes so get it measured! There's also a sportive/comfort frame from everyone these days the Principia in this months C+ @£2.5k looks a great ride and deal.

paul64

An alternative you might want to try is a Bianchi C2C 928 or successor, an astonishingly comfortable ride. I did not buy one as I preferred the handling of one or two other bikes but the comfort on that test ride a couple of years ago still sticks in my mind.

rjgr

+1 for the Cervelo RS.

I'm not experienced in ownership or years on the bike to compare objectively against most of the other contenders mentioned here, but I did a side-by-side comparison with the Roubaix and decided that for me the RS was very close in terms of comfort, but won hands down in terms of a stiff frame, in all the senses that you want. i.e. feel and no undue flex when you are climbing hard or descending at speed.

£2K for an Ultegra equiped package looks a good deal when the frame RRP is around £1500.

Carlm90

I recently bought a Specialised Roubaix SL3 and it's very comfortable. If you can push a little bit more and save, go for it, Ultegra here ya go, read here - http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52870&scid=1001&scname=Road

cr1000

Hi,
I have just bought a new 2012 Roubaix comp and I must admit I am really impressed. Prior to this i have been riding an alu frame and carbon fork cx bike on the road and feeling quite a lot of vibration.

I took a test ride on the 2011 Roubaix pro SL3 which was seriously good, before placing my order.
So far i have had the bike for a week and have done 3 rides, about 25 to 30 miles each, felt really comfortable, really smooth and it felt responsive and quick for me .
I am 5'10" and the 54 is a really comfortable fit.

I dont know if this is any help but I have been really impressed with the Roubaix, the zertz really seem to take away all the vibration.

Have a test ride and see what you think.

cyclinghaggis

Just thought I'd post an update as I finally managed to find a retailer with a 75mm specialized stem in stock and it arrived earlier this week. So far I've done my daily 5 mile (each way) commute with it and it's so much more comfortable now with the shorter stem. I can now sit in the saddle and reach the hoods without having to put weight on my hands and it makes reaching the brakes/gears easier too. The saddle itself now feels a lot more comfortable aswell as I think I was sitting on it at an awkward angle as a result of being too streched out.

I've also flipped the stem back down since I didn't really feel like it made much difference in terms of comfort whether it was flipped up/down. So far no noticeable handling difference from dropping from a 100mm to a 75mm stem as some mentioned this may be an issue. In fact in terms of handling I think flipping the stem had a worse effect as this seemed to put the bike off balance and made cornering feel much less stable IMO. So all round it's a definite improvement now this is back to it's 'correct' position.

I'm still a bit puzzled by the sizing as dropping 25mm on the stem would suggest that I should maybe have gone for a smaller frame but at 5"9 according the the size guide I should be between a 54cm and a 56cm? Regardless of what the guide says the 54cm Allez with a 75mm stem feels about right. Just need to get out at the weekend for a couple of hours so see how it feels after being in the saddle for a bit longer 8)

cyclinghaggis

cr1000 wrote:

Hi,
I have just bought a new 2012 Roubaix comp and I must admit I am really impressed. Prior to this i have been riding an alu frame and carbon fork cx bike on the road and feeling quite a lot of vibration.

I took a test ride on the 2011 Roubaix pro SL3 which was seriously good, before placing my order.

How did you find the Roubaix Sl3 compared to the comp. Would you say it was worth paying the extra to get the SL3 frame?

vorsprung

A few years on now I have another bike. Here's a comparison of the Genesis Datum with the Specialized Roubaix

https://audaxing.wordpress.com/2016/07/ ... -distance/