Fifty Plus (50+) - I've gone plastic!

My brand new Roubaix SL3 Expert, size 58. I just brought it home today and only had time for a very short ride before dark. The ride is amazing. I have a few tweaks to make before it fits just right, but it is close. I may need to get a shorter stem, especially if I take off the spacers. I can't wait to take it out for a long ride.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/6.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/7.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/5.jpg

You'd feel better if you put some barcons on it. I know you would. Think of Ribby.

Wow! Plastic, indeed. But not like a Bic pen.182599

All along I thought you were a mtn biker, and - voila - a brand new road bike. It looks great, even for plastic.

Wowsers, BD! Congratulations.:thumb:

Juxtapositioned as it is, against those walking sticks in the first pic, makes this story quite profound.

:beer:

Sweet!!:thumb: ENJOY!:D

I see some very fast rides in your future....Awesome machine.

Great looking machine. The Zerks smooth out the ride?

Congratulations! Black Specialized bikes are fast and love to climb. :thumb:

I now believe that any change is possible. Nice bike!

I like to see pictures of bikes in the living room.
Only thing better is a bike on a workstand and a little grease on the carpet in the living room.

Enjoy the new ride.

I remember you saying you were building up a bike but never realised that it was going to be this quick.

Nice build and hopefully you can get the bugs out of the fit after your first ride.

Ride report required now.

Mmmmmm

mm







Scuse me, I have to get a towel, I've drooled on my keyboard.






good one BD. Congratulations.

A real Black Beauty!! :thumb:

I remember you saying you were building up a bike but never realised that it was going to be this quick.

Nice build and hopefully you can get the bugs out of the fit after your first ride.

Ride report required now.

I changed my mind about doing the build with the Pro frame (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52865&scid=1001&scname=Road). I decided just to go with the Expert (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52870&scid=1001&scname=Road).

Juxtapositioned as it is, against those walking sticks in the first pic, makes this story quite profound.

My thought exactly. That photo should become iconic of the 50+ forum.

Plus, of course, the big CD rack. Straight from the 80s.

Welcome to the dark side. After all, you did get the stealth version. Very cool looking ride.

Congratulations. The more you ride it the more you will love plastic!

Folks offer congratulations for new bikes as if you'd just become a parent. This may not be so far from the truth so I will add mine as well. You may find that people feel black bike ominous and that now they will fear you - this is good. I think it is amusing that you are buying a new bike while I'm waiting for snow to ski. on.

I'm curious about your selection process. What were you looking for in a new bike? Did you do test rides? What does it weigh? (Like babies, the weight should always be provided.) My Specialized is black also and I really, really like it.

Pretty bike, BD. Good times ahead!

Exactly the model and color I test-rode, except for size. Amazing ride, huh?

Congratulations, BD! Ride the hell out of it!

The Pro and the Expert use the same frame which is about the same as the sworks frame from the past two years (which I have for sale, in a 58, lol). It's hard to beat the Expert though as a complete bike for the money. Have fun on it!

Really nice bike, congratulations. I recently started riding a Cervelo RS, similarly equipped with Ultegra 6700, so I know you are in for some nice rides. The performance of the front derailleur is especially good, shifts so quick and smooth you almost don't notice it. Here's hoping you get some good riding weather now.

Congratulations on the beautiful piece of plastic. I'm jealous, but conflicted. Assuming I ever had the disposable income to reasonably consider such a purchase, part of me covets this bike very much, while the other part worries that such a beautiful machine would be wasted on the likes of me (old and slow.)

Keep us up to date on the course of your relationship with the black beauty.

Bah, congrats are overrated, I'm just glad you ditched the pie pan and lawyer stickers! :D

Have fun w/ the new addition:thumb:

I'm jealous, but conflicted. Assuming I ever had the disposable income to reasonably consider such a purchase, part of me covets this bike very much, while the other part worries that such a beautiful machine would be wasted on the likes of me (old and slow.)


Just because only one horse will win the Kentucky Derby each year doesn't mean all the other horses get shot.

The one word I suspect would apply to that bike's ride is: PLUSH. I bet it would ride well even over crappy chip-seal. At our age I think we deserve it, nay, are entitled to it.

Nice..... very very nice. I really like the pic of it leaning up against a tree-very stealth like. I know you're going to really enjoy that maching on longer rides once you get the setup the way you like it. You've certainly earned it!

I was really hung into the "steel is real" thing until I picked up my first carbon bike..no going back now

Congrats!!!

My brand new Roubaix SL3 Expert, size 58. I just brought it home today and only had time for a very short ride before dark. The ride is amazing. I have a few tweaks to make before it fits just right, but it is close. I may need to get a shorter stem, especially if I take off the spacers. I can't wait to take it out for a long ride.

OH THE HORROR!:eek:

Seriously cool ride BD!:thumb:

Well you finally did it. I don't think you'll be sorry about that ride. Very good looking bike.:beer:

Beautiful bike.

Will be interested in your riding impressions once you've used it more.

What is your current stable -- this replaces the RB-1, and then you have a Salsa Casserrol and a mountain bike as well?

Wow! If it rides half as nice as it looks, it will be an awsome ride.:thumb:

While I would never have a reason to own a bike like this it sure is a mighty sweet looking ride!!

Congrats BD! I love riding plastic, sure you will also.

Wow! Nice looking bike, BD. Congratulations:thumb::thumb:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/4.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Roubaix/A3.jpg

Just because only one horse will win the Kentucky Derby each year doesn't mean all the other horses get shot.

The one word I suspect would apply to that bike's ride is: PLUSH. I bet it would ride well even over crappy chip-seal. At our age I think we deserve it, nay, are entitled to it.

Hey, thanks, Weak Link. You've given me my new pat answer whenever I indulge and am questioned about it. :thumb:

I hope your weather is good so you can get out and ride the "new" off of it before New Years!

You had also wanted SRAM. I think you will love the Ultegra. I wish I could have waited for the 2011 Expert, but I really love my 2010. Let us know about the Fulcrum Racing wheels. Does it have the Avatar saddle? I hated it and swapped it for a Toupe.

You also didn't want the 11-28 cassette. Did you swap it out? I think you will really like the 11-28 if you didn't swap it and give it a chance.

You'll love it! I picked up a new Roubaix Elite this past spring and got it properly fitted before I left the bike shop. It's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned! Made for a great riding season. It's amazing how well the "plastic" absorbs the road shock!

I forgot to ask if you use a Camelbak. I saw no water bottle cages. I hardly use the cages on mine, but have needed them on some occasions. I also put my MagicShine battery in a water bottle and use a cage for it.

Those "comfort" road bikes feel pretty good, don't they? Nice looking ride.

What else is there to say, but PLASTIC IS FANTASTIC!!!

First ride report.

It was a perfect, cool day for a ride. The bike is amazing! I rode 34 miles, grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time. The Roubaix smooths the rough roads like nothing else I've ridden and it simply sails on smooth roads. I don't think "plush" is the right word to describe the ride. It seems like magic that one bike can be so smooth and yet so stiff at the same time. Not a hint of flex in the bottom bracket when standing on a climb. This could be the start of something big! :D
I goofed up on the route and had to ride 1.5 miles on a dirt road where I had planned to only do about a third of a mile. The bike handled it fine, but it's not something I'll want to do much of on this bike.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/148028

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157625494793819/show/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5275013365_381b542dab_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275013365/)
101 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275013365/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5275622490_833cc07aeb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275622490/)
103 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275622490/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5275623384_95a4f5e17f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275623384/)
105 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275623384/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5275017191_06ee6d6156_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275017191/)
108 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5275017191/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Awesome bike, BD, and well deserved. Your ride report (along with great pics) makes my heart ache because I have been sidelined (not riding) because of family and home construction issues - combined with snow/ice. My 1990 carbon wrap Miyata bike is one of favorites - while I have a lot of old and modern steel frames, she's still a joy to ride.

Wow, BD, that's a beaut!

Beautiful bike, I'm sure you will have many happy miles together. The local Specialized rep let me ride his Roubaix one day in early '09...life hasn't been the same for me since. :)

Dawg,
Nice bike, what a neat early Christmas gift to yourself. Ride on!

Bill

Congratulations, I just love a black bike!

Does anyone else think it looks like he had beer in that water bottle?

Looks like you made a great choice, BD. Gratz again.