Northern California - New Bike on a Long Ride?

I finally bought a new bike. Its a Specialized Roubaix Expert Compact with full Ultegra components. I am very excited! I pick the bike up tomorrow. Should I attempt to ride in my first century on May2nd? I will only get a couple "shake down" rides on it before the 100 miles. One of them being a 70 mile ride this weekend. Or should I stick with my "dialed-in" Specialized Sequoia for the big ride.

How do you guys break-in a new bike?

My $.02 worth.

The 70 mile ride should be a great shake down for the Roubaix, assuming you had your shop fit you to it, or at if least you are copying all the set up measurements over from the Seqouia. After the 70 dial in the Roubaix with any minor tweeks and then ride the 100 on it.

The Roubaix is after all considered a bike for comfort on longer rides and tough roads.

The first ride on my bike I built last summer was about 70 miles, about 4500' of climbing. It was terrible, by far the worst ride I've ever done. It was fitted, whereas my old bike was not - the changes in geometry were enough to cause problems I believe. By the third ride though, it was fine and now is incredibly comfy.

As Lanceoldstrong said, if your old and new bikes are set up with pretty similar fit, I think you should be fine. If not, I wouldn't jump into 70 miles with a new fit...

nice bike btw, I saw one of the 2010 Roubaix on the road today, it's a good-looking ride!

I finally bought a new bike. Its a Specialized Roubaix Expert Compact with full Ultegra components. I am very excited! I pick the bike up tomorrow. Should I attempt to ride in my first century on May2nd? I will only get a couple "shake down" rides on it before the 100 miles. One of them being a 70 mile ride this weekend. Or should I stick with my "dialed-in" Specialized Sequoia for the big ride.

How do you guys break-in a new bike?

The two biggest unknowns to me (assuming that the shop can mimic the fit on your Sequoia) will be the saddle (important) and possibly pedals. If you're already clipless and have pedals to switch over then it's just saddle.

For my money, I'd consider switching the *exact same saddle* over from your current bike prior to the century. I ride a Roubaix and it's a great bike, but the wrong saddle will make it a nightmare.

FWIW, just don't go clipless for the first time on this -- apologies if that's a ridiculous point to make, but it's worth stating as a bad fit there could also scupper your chances of bagging a century.

Enjoy the ride.

I would ride the old dialed-in bike for the century, and for the last few rides before it. Too much of a chance that the new bike will put you in a different position and cause injury or soreness for, or during, the big event.

I make it a rule to not change anything position wise before an important race or especially hard ride.

For the first few rides on a new bike I bring extra adjusting tools (a multi tool) in my jersey pockets so I don't have to fish in my tightly packed seat bag and use the micro tool I carry. And I make the first ride or two a relatively short ride in case there is a problem (like the BB that came loose on the first ride of the last complete bike I bought).

The saddle on the Roubaix is the exact same saddle I have on my Sequoia and even the same size (143) so I think I will be OK there. I am switching pedal systems for the Roubaix. I have SPD mountain bike pedals on the Sequoia because I was learning when I bought it and thought they would be easier to clip in. Now I am ready to move to a real road pedal and got Look Keo's for the Roubaix.

I agree with ericm979 to not change anything before a major ride, but the I am also having a hard time resisting the need of riding my new bike!

BTW, I got the White/Black color scheme. The blue/white seemed a little much to me.

Eric is the voice of reason here. If your old saddle is quite worn, a new saddle might still seem different, given that you'd also be changing pedal/cleat system I wouldn't do it, YMMV.

I rode Solvang double on a new bike built up on the Wednesday before the event. 1 Quick 14 mile ride on Thursday then the double century on Saturday. It worked out really well for me as the bike shop mimiced the setup to match my existing bike. I wouldnt reccomend this though :)

I have decided to train and ride with my old bike. Thanks for the feedback. Its only one more week and I figure I will be spending a lot of time on my new carbon wonder so why rush things. Although, it did look sad this morning when I grabbed my old bike from the garage.

I'm thinking about doing something similar. I've only had mountain bikes for the last 15 years or so.
I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a Fuji Cross Comp tomorrow and using it Sunday on the Napa Tour de Cure. I'd be doing 50 miles which is what I've done on my MTB previously. It should be an easier ride for me if I do it. I just don't have road bike setup to compare to.

Now you need to post photos and stories about how much you love your new ride. You do, don't you?
PHOTOS.
REVIEW.

Rumpled, I would think moving from a mountain bike to a road bike would be a bigger change than moving to a bike with similar geometry. BTW, I am doing the 100 mile route in the Napa Tour de Cure. However, after a while you will wonder why you ever road a mountain bike.

As for photos and reviews, I am sure you have heard enough stories about how great bikes are. It will also be a couple more weeks before I get to ride it. I promised the wife I would not ride my bike for a week or so after the tour and spend time with the family. She thinks I like the bike more than her. ;-)

Well, I did it. I know have a 2009 Fuji Cross Comp.
Rode it about 7 miles when I got home. If rain stays away, I should get another ride or two in.
Hills might be tough. I'll be going from an 18 gear inch bike to a 38 inch bike. And I loves my granny gear.
Wall-e,
No fears of me wondering why I ever rode a MTB. For a long time, I've only been able to affor one bike and I've finally gotten a bit selfish and got another bike. If my wife can have her quilting, then I can have a bike. It does mean a new MTB is probably 2 more years off.
I enjoy the MTB and will continue to do so. Now, on the roads I go attempt more than a metric century and will give CX racing a try in the fall. In ;une, I'll probably try a couple of XC MTB races.
If you're out at the Napa TdCn say hi.
I'll be the guy on a new black Fuji with a white/green Bio-Rad jersey. My screen name is on the license of my tuck to make it even easier to find me.
Enjoy the ride all, hopefully my new bike will treat me well.

Hey Rumpled, I will keep my eye out for you. Although, I will be riding the 100 so if I run into you it will probably be a sign I am not riding fast enough.

I just picked up my 2010 Roubaix Expert Triple. I got to ride it about 3 minutes before the big rain hit. I am stoked.
I plan a ride up to the Diablo Junction on Sunday, and expect to do the Davis Double on it.

My 2 cents: How's your bike feel? If it feels "normal" I'd just go for it and do the century. If you have any sensations that are less ideal than exactly what you like, wait.
I did immediately swap the saddle. It was just too squishy and heavy. I'm trying out a toupe.

Hey Rumpled, I will keep my eye out for you. Although, I will be riding the 100 so if I run into you it will probably be a sign I am not riding fast enough.

Or you're blowing by me in the later stages near the last rest stop. LOL

I would ride the Roubaix! That is a killer bike and is made for 100+ rides. At the Amgen Breakaway ride, they let folks demo Specialized bikes for the ride. I have three different bikes I ride. All with different saddles, gearing, pedals, etc. I can ride either them long and it is not a problem. If you can go 70 with out any issues, I would go for it.

I would ride the Roubaix! That is a killer bike and is made for 100+ rides. At the Amgen Breakaway ride, they let folks demo Specialized bikes for the ride. I have three different bikes I ride. All with different saddles, gearing, pedals, etc. I can ride either them long and it is not a problem. If you can go 70 with out any issues, I would go for it.

After riding a roubaix for well over a year, I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter about the bike/frame. Fit is WAY more important.

Agreed - fit is paramount. If the fit appears good from the initial trial rides, ride the Roubaix on for the century.

I finished my first century on the Sequoia and I think I made the right decision. It was one less unknown on the ride. I will admit it was tough regardless of the bike. Physically, I was fine but the last 30 miles were mentally rough. It was a good way to retire my first real road bike. I have put thousands of miles on that bike. Now, it will be put to good use hauling my son around on family rides.

Well, I finished the TdC 50 on a warm, windy day. My time was only 7 minutes faster than on my MTB last year in the rain.
I was hoping to be more faster.
Fit was fine for me, the gearing was a bit tough for me on just the little bumps for hills on the route.
I guess I'm broken in for semi-long rides on this bike and will keep it going.

Way to go finishing the centurty Wall-e.
Don't think I saw you, but how would I know?

Rumpled, glad to hear you finished. it was an awesome day for a ride. I was the guy that was swearing on the last 5 miles. That wind at the end was not necessary!