Road Cycling - Specialized Roubaix

Has anyone seen or ridden this bike? I just did a test ride on the Comp and thought it was absolutely incredible. It's a full monocoque frame, Ultegra groupset, with an FSA Carbon crank. The wheels are Mavic Equipes. I thought they would put a higher end set on but again, the price was only $2390. I rode my Allez Elite and the Roubaix back to back and noticed just a huge difference in the amount of vibration difference. The bike is "dead" on the road, but still feels very nimble and stiff. I'm actually considering purchasing this bike so any input would be appreciated.

The Roubaix has a more relaxed geomtry than the Allez. Make sure that is what you want. It has a slacker head tube angle and a longer wheelbase than the Allez. I found the descriptions on the Specialized site very uninformative when I was searching for a new bike. You have to dig into the geometry pages to see what the differances are.

Not to sway you. But, if you find carbon to be "dead" but like the smoothness, you might want to test ride a titanium bike. You get that smooth ride but still get sharp acceleration and steering.

I didn't get to test ride the Roubaix. Not many shops around here seem to stock them. Nice bike either way.

Now that you mention it, the head tube does appear a bit taller. I'm not sure if a little less aggressive geometry would really bother me or even make a difference. What specifically do you see the impact being? That said, I have been contemplating a Serotta Fierte TI and I do have to say that the ride was still noticibly "quieter" and vibration free on the Roubaix, though the Serotta is certainly a fantastic bike. I just don't know if it's that much more fantastic to justify the additional expense.

Technically you would be giving up a little speed with a less aero riding position. The handling would be less twitchy due to the head angle and longer wheelbase. Maybe not as good on climbs with the long wheelbase???

More comfortable on the long rides though. Of course, that is what it is designed for.

You could get into a Litespeed Ti for less than the MSRP of the Roubaix. If you like the Ti ride that is. There are a couple models under the $2500 mark. I am biased though.

What kind of riding will it be used for?

Actually for triathlons. I find I'm better off with a more traditional road geometry than an actual tri-bike. I feel I get more versatility. I would say this is still more of a traditional road bike than say the Sequoia.. correct? What Litespeed are you looking at for that price? I've been thinking about the Vortex but can't seem to convince myself to part with the money.

The Firenze has traditional geometry. MSRP $1995
The Teramo has compact geometry. MSRP $2295
The Solano has traditional geometry. MSRP $2795

The Vortex is some serious cash. The Sequoia is probably more of a fast touring bike.

The Roubaix has a more relaxed geomtry than the Allez. .

I don't think so- I compared the geometry of these 2 frames recently, and while I don't have the numbers in front of me, I believe the only significant geometric difference was the Roubaix had about 1" longer chainstays, otherwise the frames were very close to identical. Now, the BIKE as a WHOLE might be slightly more relaxed- but only because the stem has more rise to it than the Allez' stem does. They are the same stem- a Specialized flip-flop model, I think. On the Roubaix, it's simply "flopped."

You could also find a nice triple butted steel frameset and build it with whatever parts you want for around $3k, depending on the builder. You'll save some weight with ti, but you'd be able to make up for most of the gained weight with lighter parts.

For tri stuff, I'd think that a more lax geometry would be a disadvantage, though, regardless of material.

I don't think so- I compared the geometry of these 2 frames recently

The head tube angle is different as is the wheelbase.
I got my info off of the Specialized web site.

The head tube angle is different as is the wheelbase.
I got my info off of the Specialized web site.

Yeah- me too. And you're right- those 2 are different. But the "other 2 important" omeasurements are identical:

Allez
TT 548mm Seat Angle 73.5 Head Angle 73 WB 978mm

Roubaix
TT 548mm Seat Angle 73.5 Head Angle 72 WB 1000mm


...I was just trying to say that they aren't VERY different, that's all. As far as the "comfort" claim of the Roubaix and it's carbon inserts/different geometry, it seems to me that the rise stem and 25mm tires probably have more to do with the comfort factor than the small changes in geometry, that's all.

There is no "a little" different. It's different or it's identical.
All the tubes inter-releate. Change one thing and it changes other things. Head tube is a big deal. Alot of makers used to not publish that.
You mention it's only 1" on the chainstays but 1" is a HUGE difference!

If you want a road bike to do tri on, you want one with more classic road-race geometry and not a "crit"bike. With aero bars, you will have alot of weight over the front wheel and you want a rock steady bike, not something that is going to twitch and sap your energy trying to keep it straight.

It seems more and more triathletes are using road geometry (meaning non-tri bike) Kona was one on a Secialized S-Works E5 frame. Treks TT bike isn't really tri geometry either. The Roubaix seems to have a more relaxed geometry, but wouldn't the comfort factor translate into better performance? Maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into this bike.

Unfortunately, the comfort factor (relaxed geometry) is the other end of the scale from performance. The Roubaix is only a little towards the comfort end, though. I would say the Roubaix is designed for centuries and fast touring.

I don't know anything about the Tri world, so slap me if I'm wrong. Aren't you looking to do the highest speed possible over a relatively short distance with no drafting allowed? You also want to expend the least amount of energy possible to get this done. This lends itself to a full aero tuck, lightweight very stiff frame. Comfort is out the window in this situation.

There is a reason that tri specific bikes look like this:

The reason road racing TT bikes are not "tri" geometry is because of UCI regulations. They have very specific requirements, for example the nose of the saddle cannot pass the centerline of the bottom bracket.

In tri, there are no such rules so you can go wild.
Bringing the saddle way forward, like tri bikes do, keeps your running legs fresh.
That is why Litespeed has the Blade (UCI legal) and the Saber (tri bike).
You can certainly use either in tri but you have to keep in mind that tri/TT bikes are designed for the front-heavy aero tuck.
Standard road bikes are not. That doesn't mean a regular road bike won't work- it certainly does for many on a budget- it's just that you should be smart in what you choose.
Fit is going to be crucial for you.

I don't know anything about the Roubaix so I can't help you with that one.

edit: I should replace "Saber" with Quintana Roo (Litespeed's tri company) in the above comments

Good point RacerX.
Itschris,
Choosing a bike is a huge and very confusing process. I just went through it myself a few weeks ago. Maybe looking at the bike choice this way will help. Figure out what "job" or "jobs" you are trying to accomplish. You said that you are doing tris. Are there any other "jobs" that you want to accomplish on the bike? (touring, racing, recreational, centuries) Look at the bike as a tool. If there is only one job that you are going to use this tool for, it can be very specialized (no pun intended). If the tool needs to perform a range of functions, a more generic tool should be chosen. Unless, of course, you will be buying several.
Be very thorough and honest with yourself about how the bike will be used. Is it tri only? Or are there other "jobs" for this new steed?

I compete in tris, but also just ride like everyone else does. Like I said before, I've noticed an increase in road bikes setup for triathlons not just in the locals but in the pro races as well. I can afford two bikes, but I've found no appreciable difference in my running capabilities from a pure tri position. In fact, I find that regardless of how I'm riding my legs have better power and endurance in an in-between setup. I'm not saying a Litespeed Blade wouldn't yield better overall results, but it'd probably quality of the bike and components just as much or more so than the geometry.

I'm just not sure what I want to do at this point since I have a fairly nice bike that I already like a lot. In considering the Roubaix, I'm already playing that "just a few more dollars will get me..." game.

I'm already playing that "just a few more dollars will get me..." game.


OH, I know THAT game. It cost me about $400 recently.

If a bike fits you well, you ride better, happier, at least you believe you are. In tri riding you've got a lot going on and you just need to 'feel' you have enough to attack the course. Bikes make you think you are faster but at the end of the day it's the stopwatch that tells the tale. You'll SEE a better time with better training, nutrition and rest. You want to perform much better in triathlons? Transitions can save you a ton of time on shorter distances. The rest is really about your will. Work on your fortitude and ride hard.