Modifications to 2005 Roubaix
08-28-09, 10:35 AM
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Modifications to 2005 Roubaix
I have the base model 2005 Specialized Roubaix (aluminum frame, carbon forks and stays). It has Shimano 105 Triple (52-42-30) and 12-25 cassette. I'd like to get a few opinions on whether I should do the following, or say the hell with it and get a new bike. The collective wealth of knowledge you guys have is pretty impressive even though there are different opinions on how or what.
First of all, I'm 5'7, 185, 60 years old, fairly decent shape for my age. I ride every day for 6-10 miles (damned work gets in the way, but that's another subject), 15-20 each day on weekends . I live in the Sacramento foothills, and struggle on some of the hills, especially the one going up to my house. It's not a long hill, but fairly steep, and at the end of a 15-20 mile ride, I'm pretty much done. I haven't had to walk up the hill yet, but have come close (which probably bothers my ego more than anything else).
So I've been thinking about some changes.
1. I'd like to add a 27T to the rear in exchange for the 12 on it now. I know I'd have to get a new 13T for the 12T in order to tighten everything up, and add the 27 to the back (spacer required, I'm guessing?). It would give a me lower climb gear, and eliminate the 12 that I don't use anyway. I like the 21-21-25 spacing it has now, and a 27 (or maybe a 28) seems like the best addition for me.
Another option for the rear is the Century Special at Harris (13-30). I think just adding a 27 to my cassette wold give me better gears for my needs, but it's an option, and maybe a simple option. May be too much, though, but I've heard it will work without any modifications. Any truth to this?
2. Change the mid-chainring to a 39. I find the 42 a tad tall more most of my riding, and the 39 would space out the ratios better. I see most new Roubaix triples have 52-39-30, so what's involved in this? Is it as simple as getting a 39 and replacing, or am I missing something?
3. Get a new bile. I like the Cervelo RS a lot, but is it worth the extra $$ for an old fat guy who's riding to get into better shape? I also like some of the new Roubaix's with the full carbon, nicer stuff, ....
Hope this is enough info for some guidance. I like my Roubaix (except for the color-"Dream") but it's very comfortable, and actually works pretty well. I do like the RS, though, but probably way above my current and future levels of competence.
Thanks.
First of all, I'm 5'7, 185, 60 years old, fairly decent shape for my age. I ride every day for 6-10 miles (damned work gets in the way, but that's another subject), 15-20 each day on weekends . I live in the Sacramento foothills, and struggle on some of the hills, especially the one going up to my house. It's not a long hill, but fairly steep, and at the end of a 15-20 mile ride, I'm pretty much done. I haven't had to walk up the hill yet, but have come close (which probably bothers my ego more than anything else).
So I've been thinking about some changes.
1. I'd like to add a 27T to the rear in exchange for the 12 on it now. I know I'd have to get a new 13T for the 12T in order to tighten everything up, and add the 27 to the back (spacer required, I'm guessing?). It would give a me lower climb gear, and eliminate the 12 that I don't use anyway. I like the 21-21-25 spacing it has now, and a 27 (or maybe a 28) seems like the best addition for me.
Another option for the rear is the Century Special at Harris (13-30). I think just adding a 27 to my cassette wold give me better gears for my needs, but it's an option, and maybe a simple option. May be too much, though, but I've heard it will work without any modifications. Any truth to this?
2. Change the mid-chainring to a 39. I find the 42 a tad tall more most of my riding, and the 39 would space out the ratios better. I see most new Roubaix triples have 52-39-30, so what's involved in this? Is it as simple as getting a 39 and replacing, or am I missing something?
3. Get a new bile. I like the Cervelo RS a lot, but is it worth the extra $$ for an old fat guy who's riding to get into better shape? I also like some of the new Roubaix's with the full carbon, nicer stuff, ....
Hope this is enough info for some guidance. I like my Roubaix (except for the color-"Dream") but it's very comfortable, and actually works pretty well. I do like the RS, though, but probably way above my current and future levels of competence.
Thanks.
08-28-09, 10:57 AM
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1. A cheaper option is to replace the 12x25 with a 12x27 entire cassette. The only differences are the 12x25 is 21/23/25 and the 12x27 is 21/24/27. Yeah, you still have the unneeded 12 but it's not as expensive as the Harris replacement.
1A You can get a significantly lower low gear even cheaper by replacing the 30T granny ring with a 26T. This works very well and I've done it on many cranks.
2. 39T chainrings are available and easy to substitute. Shimano says they "match" their big rings to the middle ring so a 52T meant for a 42T middle ring may not shift quite as crisply as a big ring intended for a 39 but I expect the difference will be minor.
3. The Cervelo RS isn't geared any better than your current bike. It has a 12x25 cassette and a compact double crank with a 34T small ring. You already have a lower gear than that with your current 30T chainring. Buy it if you like it but don't expect any improvement in the gearing, and actually, it's more limited as delivered.
3A. The RS, or any other bike, isn't "way above" your level of competence. It's a bike, for heaven sake. If you like it and can afford the cost, by all means get one. By that standard nearly nobody would ever own a BMW, Porche or Corvette and there are plenty of drivers of little to no skill who have them.
1A You can get a significantly lower low gear even cheaper by replacing the 30T granny ring with a 26T. This works very well and I've done it on many cranks.
2. 39T chainrings are available and easy to substitute. Shimano says they "match" their big rings to the middle ring so a 52T meant for a 42T middle ring may not shift quite as crisply as a big ring intended for a 39 but I expect the difference will be minor.
3. The Cervelo RS isn't geared any better than your current bike. It has a 12x25 cassette and a compact double crank with a 34T small ring. You already have a lower gear than that with your current 30T chainring. Buy it if you like it but don't expect any improvement in the gearing, and actually, it's more limited as delivered.
3A. The RS, or any other bike, isn't "way above" your level of competence. It's a bike, for heaven sake. If you like it and can afford the cost, by all means get one. By that standard nearly nobody would ever own a BMW, Porche or Corvette and there are plenty of drivers of little to no skill who have them.
08-28-09, 12:15 PM
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Thanks HillRider.
I've thought about the 12-27, and even the 11-28. The 11-28 gives me 2 gears I would use, although the spacing is not really all that bad.
Not sure I need to go as low as a 26 on the small ring. Except for the hill to my house, I'm OK. Maybe just ride the thing so I can get better at it.
As far as the Cervelo, I know I would have to change the rear to a 12-27 to get the gearing I have now. I think most shops would do that to sell an RS.
I like the analogy though. My Roubaix is a Chevy, the Cervelo is more "exotic" if you will. I drive a 2006 Corvette that even though is a Chevy, it's a pretty neat Chevy. Only professionals can drive it to take advantage of the car's potential. Certainly can't do it on the street (although I had a little fun at 3 times the speed limit in Nevada last year in it-but that's another story).
I've thought about the 12-27, and even the 11-28. The 11-28 gives me 2 gears I would use, although the spacing is not really all that bad.
Not sure I need to go as low as a 26 on the small ring. Except for the hill to my house, I'm OK. Maybe just ride the thing so I can get better at it.
As far as the Cervelo, I know I would have to change the rear to a 12-27 to get the gearing I have now. I think most shops would do that to sell an RS.
I like the analogy though. My Roubaix is a Chevy, the Cervelo is more "exotic" if you will. I drive a 2006 Corvette that even though is a Chevy, it's a pretty neat Chevy. Only professionals can drive it to take advantage of the car's potential. Certainly can't do it on the street (although I had a little fun at 3 times the speed limit in Nevada last year in it-but that's another story).
