Road Cycling - 04 Trek 5200 vs 04 Specialized Roubaix

Has anyone test rode both and which dampened road shock the best. I recently bought the 04 5200 ,as where I live here in the Mojave desert, the roads are so bad that there's cracks every 12". They cold patch the asphalt and do a lousy job at it. I can feel every bump and crack and it slows me down considerably. If I would have known about the Specialized Roubaix I would have at least test rode it. Just wondering I guess.

Has anyone test rode both and which dampened road shock the best. I recently bought the 04 5200 ,as where I live here in the Mojave desert, the roads are so bad that there's cracks every 12". They cold patch the asphalt and do a lousy job at it. I can feel every bump and crack and it slows me down considerably. If I would have known about the Specialized Roubaix I would have at least test rode it. Just wondering I guess.

You just bought your bike dude..... isnt it a bit late to change your mind? Whats the point in the what if's? you going to dump your new bike on another one already? I have the same bike and its a great road bike and very plush. Sounds like you need is a suspension seat post (does anyone do that on a road bike?). Or get a cheap mountain bike and put road tires on it? and pump them up to 30 psi?

I'm very happy with the 5200,just curious on the Specialized Roubaix, going to get some phat gel tape and upgrade to carbon bars. I really like the 5200's ride. Liking the sport very much, I'm always seeking input on other type of brands. Not including if it does dampen road shock i'll uprade to the Specialized 04 C3 Zertz Composite Fork. :)

I agree that it's too late to change your mind, unless you have a lot of $$$$$$.

But, I rode both (one after the other) Thursday afternoon and really hated the 5200. It felt really stiff and seemed to transfer the road right through the saddle. I really liked the Roubaix Carbon (right now in the top three of my future purchase plan) and felt it dampened the road great. That being said, I had ridden 12 bikes in two days so my butt was sore (rode without padded shorts for the 1 mile loops on each) and it was getting hard to tell the difference, frankly.

So Friday I rode several more bikes including an '03 Allez cro-mo and the Roubaix (non-carbon) right after that. They felt almost the same. The cro-mo and the zertz bike really ate the road.

I like the Roubaix (probably go for the carbon one) and the allez cro-mo...but I need to ride a leftover 853 Lemond before I buy anything.

Regardless of what I like, you are a different person and your bike should be what you like. Not everyone here likes the Roubaix I bet.
I can guarantee there are alot of people out here who LOVE the 5200.

PJBAZ

I rode the carbon Roubaix and the Trek 5200 one after the other on two different days. I knew I was going to buy one of these bikes, and just wanted to be sure. The Roubaix is a much smoother ride. The difference is very noticiable. I ended up buying the Roubaix not only because of the smooth ride, but because it seemed handle better, but that is more of a personal thing.

Steel and ti do an incredible job smoothing out rough roads...

I rode the 5200, and the specialized. I thought the specialized wa sway too soft for my taste. I really liked the ride on the Trek. I wound up buying a Specialized Allez Comp (alum).

Throw on a set of 25mm or 28mm tires. They won't slow you down that much and you will roll over the cracks a lot easier.

I've got a Trek 5220 (triple) & a new Roubaix pro. I find the damping of high freq road vibs similar with a slight edge to the Roubaix. Not enough to make me rethink my purchase however if i just bought the trek. As mentioned above, the biggest payoff per dollar invested is a 25c tire run at less pressure. The Bar phat is nice if you ride on the tops much.

P.S., the Roubaix is definitely a stiffer frame than the 5200 when your talking about BB flex.

I talked to a Trek Rep. and he mentioned the 25c tire, I have no intent on ridding of this fine ride. I had a Giant TCR-1 and didn't care for the compact geometry, my personal take. Seem's the Specialized is on the compact and it's geometry is more relaxed which is not a desirable style for me but I have to tell you all,the Trek Rep. did not have kind words on the Specialized Roubaix and it's reliability, Enough said. Recently injured my wrist and traveling down this really harsh road yesterday really aggreviated the injury again ( reason why I started this topic) .Appreciate the input.Thanks again

I talked to a Trek Rep. and he mentioned the 25c tire, I have no intent on ridding of this fine ride. I had a Giant TCR-1 and didn't care for the compact geometry, my personal take. Seem's the Specialized is on the compact and it's geometry is more relaxed which is not a desirable style for me but I have to tell you all,the Trek Rep. did not have kind words on the Specialized Roubaix and it's reliability, Enough said. Recently injured my wrist and traveling down this really harsh road yesterday really aggreviated the injury again ( reason why I started this topic) .Appreciate the input.Thanks again -

OK, thats not fair, what exactly did the Trek rep say about Roubaix reliability? You've got to back up that statement! I haven't heard of any problems & I hope you called the guy out & made him explain. Got any specifics? NOT enough said!

"I'm very happy with the 5200,just curious on the Specialized Roubaix, going to get some phat gel tape and upgrade to carbon bars."

Oh yeah, carbon bars will solve your problem. Buy the most expensive ones you can.

*rolls eyes*

I'm surprised the Trek rep was bashing the Roubaix, NOT!

Come on, go to a Chevy dealer and listen to them bash Ford and vice versa. You can bet your a$$ that if that rep changed jobs the next company would be cat's a$$. In fact, I met a former Felt rep who now does Orbea and he seemed to think Orbea was better...big surprise.

Specialized has a lifetime warranty, albeit limited lifetime, on their bikes. Of course, most companies have that too.

PJ
No, I don't work for Specialized and don't even own one of their bikes, yet.

I've got a Trek 5220 (triple) & a new Roubaix pro. I find the damping of high freq road vibs similar with a slight edge to the Roubaix. Not enough to make me rethink my purchase however if i just bought the trek. As mentioned above, the biggest payoff per dollar invested is a 25c tire run at less pressure. The Bar phat is nice if you ride on the tops much.

P.S., the Roubaix is definitely a stiffer frame than the 5200 when your talking about BB flex.

Just curious, why would you own two bikes that are so similar?

Between the two, I like the Roubaix much better. I don't know anything about reliability of either bike though, strictly from a performance/feel/fit point of view.

But if you already have the Trek I don't think it's worth the change.

i road the roubaix and bought a 2300 instead. you definately made the right choice because the 5200 is completely carbon and the roubaix only has a carbon fork and rear stay. the roubaix's components might be a tad better, but you still made the right choice. have fun.

My 5200 in nude carbon is a sweet ride, the pic's don't do it justice, in person it's a stunning bike and excellent finish( I must a got lucky).I'm looking into IRD B2 carbon bars and 25c tires will be the next possible add on's. As for the Rep's thoughts,I'd rather not mention it as I do not repeat here-say and should have never posted it initially- I apologize.

Shimano_Cranker-

The Roubaix does come in a FULL Carbon version as well as the carbon stays, fork.

PJ

Just curious, why would you own two bikes that are so similar?

The 5200 is a triple (ultegra) & I was frustrated with constantly having to trim the deraiuller. It would never stay in adjustment either - similar to constant cable stretch. I was originally going to swap over to double components but new bike lust won over common sense. I was then going to sell the Trek, but decided to keep it for Winter/rain riding etc. Since I still have more money than brains, I'm now toying with the idea of building an ultralight fixie out of the Trek ;-) I still think the Trek is a great bike - just had to get away from the triple.

The 5200 is a triple (ultegra) & I was frustrated with constantly having to trim the deraiuller. It would never stay in adjustment either - similar to constant cable stretch. I was originally going to swap over to double components but new bike lust won over common sense. I was then going to sell the Trek, but decided to keep it for Winter/rain riding etc. Since I still have more money than brains, I'm now toying with the idea of building an ultralight fixie out of the Trek ;-) I still think the Trek is a great bike - just had to get away from the triple.

I ride with a couple of people in situations similar to yours. They have fully tricked out ti Litespeed bikes that are now down graded to their rainy day bikes. It's a nice problem.