dkyser

I recently moved from Northwestern Pa to the Lexington Kentucky area and going from 3 bikes to 2 or possibly even just 1.
I am no longer doing any mountain biking so need 1 good road bike. I had some good wheels built in 2015 so will probably not go disk brakes.
I am considering these so far and would love some advice. I have been to both LBS and both seem to be great.
Émonda ALR 6
Specialized Roubaix SL4 Comp

Jarrett2

Easy.

Fairdale Goodship

jsigone

the Emonda is a bit more racer geo and the roubaix is a bit more relaxed fitting and can fit larger 28c tires. The trek domane with H2 geo would be a better rival to the roubaix. Another contender would be the Cannondale synapse carbon also has a taller headtube if you like how those are
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bik...9-d0d717b8725a

dkyser

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.
I love the AWOL and believe that has more of a relaxed geometry so will lean towards that style.

dagray

Orbea Orca with either the 105 or Ultegra groupset. I am now 360 and have about 1000 miles on mine. I did go and put tubeless tires on and that made the ride even better. I run a 60cm frame.

Joeyseven

What are you looking for A more Endurance or slopping racer type bike
or ?And lots of great brand and models out their for us buyers.
And do you have A favorite LBS and what do they sell?

I really like a lot of bikes that Specialized have to offer.Not sure what bicycle I would get if I had 3k to spend.
Myself would want something different.Like the online only Rose bicycles look like A great bike and good value.

SClaraPokeman

I rode a rented Roubaix last week and was impressed with the amount of tire clearance in the rear. It was running a 25 but appeared that it could handle a 28 of any brand with ease (a 28 on my Cervelo RS is a super tight fit and not ideal).

TrojanHorse

I have 28s on my Roubaix and there's probably room for more if I were so inclined.

Rollfast

I weigh 244 and a standard brazed Schwinn frame takes a lot of weight...it's the RIMS that will be the deal.

I don't know much about road bikes...but this is still one of the strongest frames out there.



I weighed nearly 300 lbs. twice with mine. If you want a road bike, you need a good frame and also need strong rims. Bumps are going to bend your rims regularly and broken spokes are a warning sign.

chaadster

Hahaha! That's just silliness! I mean, you're not seriously recommending a 50 year old single speed to a person looking for a $3k road bike, and pitching it as the strongest frame to boot??? Hahahahaha!

To the OP, I think there are lots of options, but I would suggest that a bike with the capacity to take a 30c tire on a wide rim would be a good way to start winnowing the field. Quality, larger, tires in that 30-40c range will be a real boon to riding comfort, ease, and handling.

dkyser

I am looking for a more relaxed geometry. I will probably keep my AWOL which has some wider tires and a steel frame.

Jarrett2

Check recommended weights on those bikes. Last time I checked, 240 was the max on a Roubaix. Same with the CG-R seatpost. Meaning if you did develop a warranty issue with the bike, they could deny the claim based on rider weight.

As mentioned above, I'd highly recommend a steel road bike for someone at 300 lbs. Also, if you're used to riding steel already and move to an aluminum or carbon road bike, you might not enjoy the ride as much.

Here's a link to the bike I mentioned above: Goodship | Fairdale Bikes

There are lots of other steel options, but that's one bike that is ready built and easy to order.

bfs2

Very jealous of your budget! I drool over the higher end Roubaix, also think the Cervelo R2 is really nice. I'm trying to test ride 2015 versions this weekend so can give more input then.

dr_lha

Weight limit on a Roubaix is 240lbs. Not to say it won't work, but as @Jarrett2 says, your warrantee may be affected. You have wheels at least, so you can toss the stock.

https://static.specialized.com/media/...0000057489.pdf

Same may be true for the Trek.

Jarrett2

Definitely no go on the stock wheels. I bought that same model of Roubaix in late 2014 when I weighed around 250 and the rear wheel was horribly out of true in just a few hundred miles. So definitely plan on better wheels if you go that route. Also the BB creaked terribly under my weight and likely caused some shifting problems I battled the whole time I owned that bike. Those bikes just aren't put together with a 250+ lb rider in mind.

This is coming from a guy that has owned the Roubaix you are looking at and owned an AWOL as well. The AWOL is a great Clyde bike and possibly the only Specialized road bike that makes sense for someone over 250 lbs. I tried the carbon road bike thing, but ended up going to steel road bikes in the end. I have too many friends that are much lighter than me with cracked carbon and I just didn't want to be waiting on the other shoe to drop.

I didn't enjoy worrying if every creak and pop (and there were a lot) I heard on the Roubaix was the point where the carbon bits that were designed for a 165 lb rider finally gave up on me. Moving to steel, I found a much more quiet and comfortable ride with peace of mind and that's a huge positive for me.

dkyser

Thanks, and you probably saved me some time and money. I am down a considerable amount but worrying about a bike keeps you off the road so going to look at steel bike options including the one mentioned above.

ColaJacket

What width tires do you have on your "good wheels"?

That may be the determining factor on what bikes you can get.

Since you already have good wheels, it might be more cost effective to buy a frame, a groupset from a UK dealer, and pay your LBS to put the bike together. You can also get your favorite seat for the bike, without having to worry about the one it comes with.

I've heard of some people getting ~$500 CF frames from respectable places in China (e.g. Workswell, etc.).

GH

Leastbest

I'm a serious Clyde around the 280 mark so i chose a Specialized Secteur and plan on staying on that until I get to 200 or below. Then I will upgrade to the Roubaix.

jla1974

i ride a cervelo r2 and im in the 290 range. i had a set of hed belgium + built, 32 spoke front and rear with 25mm tires. have had it just over a year no problems.

bfs2

I just bought the SLR 4 Roubaix 105 after riding Cdale Synapse aluminum, Fuji Sportif, and a closeout Cervelo R2. Cervelo R2 is a hell of a bike but seemed more suited for racing. That thing flew up hills.

The Roubaix was like riding a cloud on all the chipseal in our downtown. I'm 300 lbs but spoke at length w the bike store owner about carbon and its reliability. He stood by the frame even at my weight. If you can afford it the ride was really superb on carbon. If it assploads on me I may have different opinions but for now I'm comfortable and love the bike.

dkyser

The Trek dealer I dealt with in New York was like that, saying the bikes are rated low, mostly due to the wheels and for safety reasons.
I guess if its a reputable dealer and he stands by the frame carbon can still be an option.

Rollfast

Actually, it's stronger than your carbon frame, the brazed joints are some of the strongest (prior to 1996) and I've NEVER had one come apart.

So don't laugh, even if it's not a road bike. I've taken mine out as my daily driver for at least 9 years and as long as the bottom bracket is okay that thing won't quit. If you take the multi-speed versions you still have some nice gearing.

I've been over 300 pounds and do not forget that our beloved late leader Tom Stormcrowe once weighed over 200 lbs. more and bikes helped save his life back then... I'm not saying it's foolproof, but this 1995 Schwinn Classic Cruiser I have is 21 years old, they had to figure out the brazing process by themselves after Schwinn changed hands because the Chicago equipment apparently went to Murray, and they did it right for the 100th anniversary. I've owned two of those models (a springer as well) and there is a Black Phantom repop around here as well, still going strong.

You don't have to be stuck with a 'diamond' frame. You can have some FUN. I've taken it across the border to the next county (10 mi RT) more than twice and I used to take one 24 miles RT to visit my dad's gas station or shop at the mall when I was a teen back in the early 80s.

dkyser

Still looking into steel bikes, although aluminum has never let me down yet as long as I have a good set of wheels.