Long Distance Cycling - specialized wheel builds--mavic durability

I have been looking at the Specialized Roubaix compact ($1900). I was wondering about the wheels that come with the bike (specialized hub and mavic rims). Are they durable? how flexy? If you find them unsatisfactory, what recommendations can you make? Do you typically run a wider tire and on what rim? Do you recommend entirely different bikes within that price point?

I guess my concern is that I don't want crappy wheels on an entry level carbon/105 bike that are just going to be needing replaced fairly quickly (likely, I will swap them out within 1.5 years anyway). I would like to own a carbon framed decent long-distance ride--all my other rides are aluminum.

I am a lightweight (6ft. and 148 lbs.) climber that logs consistently 18-25 hours on the road/week. As a college student who is on a limited budget--aftermarket wheelsets more than 700 dollars and bikes >2000 are not really an option right now :rolleyes:

You could build yourself a wheelset consisting of Ultegra hubs and Velocity Aerohead wheels for less than US$300.

I have been looking at the Specialized Roubaix compact ($1900). I was wondering about the wheels that come with the bike (specialized hub and mavic rims). Are they durable? how flexy? If you find them unsatisfactory, what recommendations can you make? Do you typically run a wider tire and on what rim? Do you recommend entirely different bikes within that price point?

I guess my concern is that I don't want crappy wheels on an entry level carbon/105 bike that are just going to be needing replaced fairly quickly (likely, I will swap them out within 1.5 years anyway). I would like to own a carbon framed decent long-distance ride--all my other rides are aluminum.

I am a lightweight (6ft. and 148 lbs.) climber that logs consistently 18-25 hours on the road/week. As a college student who is on a limited budget--aftermarket wheelsets more than 700 dollars and bikes >2000 are not really an option right now :rolleyes:

What is the model of the Mavic rims?

Sidenote: Careful with the Spec Roubaix, it has a very flexible bottom bracket; it will flex like crazy when you stand on the hills. Other than that, very smooth ride.

CXP22 is the rim model but with specialized hubs--I have heard the CXP22 rims are bombproof. My main concern is with the hubs and a question of their durability/seal.

105 hubs use the same bearings as Ultegra, use them and build some wheels.

I'm sure the rims and hubs are more than up to the task. The main issue I'd have is whether the wheels were built by hand or machine - not sure what Specialized does with bikes in that price range.

Other bikes to consider in your price range are the Orbea Onix TDA, Jamis Xenith Comp, Fuji CCR3, Giant Defy Advanced 3. Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6 is a little less expensive but has cheaper components.

Not sure if 28's will fit on any of these bikes. I'd be careful about running rims that are too wide, due to clearance issues.

Keep in mind that $2,000 may be "entry level carbon," but all the components will be head and shoulders above a $800 entry-level road bike.

Re: Bottom bracket flex:

The Roubaix bottom bracket was redesigned for 2009 (per Tom Boonens request) and is MUCH stiffer now.

Crap: didnt notice this was an old post. Sorry!