Road Cycling - So, where exactly does the Specialized Roubaix fit in?

I'm in the market for a new ride and really like the feel of the Carbon Fiber Roubaix Comp. BUT, I was wondering where this bike fits in...It has a longer wheelbase and taller headtube than the allez and S-works bikes but is in the catalogue between them. The allez does not come in CF but the S-works of course does.

Is the Roubaix considered a racing bike?
If I buy one will I be considered a weenie when I take it on group rides because it's not traditional with a short wheelbase, short headtube?


What do you guys think?

PJBAZ

The Roubaix Comp has longer chainstays, shallower head angle, and more fork rake than the S-Works and Allez. These differences generally translate into a more comfortable and stable bike over longer distances, with the emphasis on the word comfortable. The front end(head angle/fork rake) appears to be well designed. The fork rake is well matched to the head angle.

This bike is designed for racing. If you are planning on using it for all types of road racing, centuries, fitness, and general all around riding it should be very well suited to you. If you are buying a bike to use only for criterium racing, this MIGHT not be the best choice, although I don't think it will hold you back.

If you showed up on a ride I was on with this bike, I would think you had made an intelligent choice in your bike purchase.

Thanks,

I plan on general riding, group rides, training (i.e.- stop getting fat) etc. But, I was confused as to where it fit in. Seemed strange that they would create a bike (seemingly) above the Allez but radically change the geometry.

PJ

Wasn't the Roubaix designed as an answer to all the Euro road racing bikes?

Wasn't the Roubaix designed as an answer to all the Euro road racing bikes?

Well it may have been, but it differs significantly from most "off the rack" euro frames in geometry. Eg. the Colnago C-40 or C-50 has significantly shorter chainstays and fork rake although the Colnago has a similar head angle in the midrange sizes. Most standard euro frames have a steeper head angle, shorter stays and shorter rake than the Roubaix. Many frame builders list their head angles as proprietary, so sometines it's hard to compare, but the Roubaix's fork rake and stays are definitely longer than most.

It is more like a bike that is designed specifically for the Paris-Roubaix race. If you read Cyclingnews.com reviews of these bikes, they will generally be described as having more rake and longer stays than regular race bikes. See their coverage of the Bianchi bikes ridden by Alessio this year.