Roubaix Elite giving anyone flex or wobble issues?
05-13-08, 07:10 PM
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Roubaix Elite giving anyone flex or wobble issues?
Hi Everyone,
I recently purchased a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite (FACT R6 carbon frame) and have come to realize that the frame is flexing quite a bit, much more than I expected. Oh btw, I'm 6"1 and 205 pounds - a mini-clyde.
I noticed that if I start pushing it on flats at aroud 20-22 mph, the front end wobbles - makes it hard to keep straight - and the back end wobbles too.
Also noticed that on descents, say 30 mph, I have to engage the brakes because the frames wobbles so much it becomes almost uncontrollable. I checked and everything seems tight; the lbs will be looking at it this weekend.
Would like your opinions if you have the same issues with Roubaix products, and if you believe a Cannondable Synapse Carbon - same product range - would be a stiffer ride.
Thanks in advance
Michael
PS. I did do a search and found some threads but nothing conclusive about weight-specific riding for these models.
I recently purchased a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite (FACT R6 carbon frame) and have come to realize that the frame is flexing quite a bit, much more than I expected. Oh btw, I'm 6"1 and 205 pounds - a mini-clyde.
I noticed that if I start pushing it on flats at aroud 20-22 mph, the front end wobbles - makes it hard to keep straight - and the back end wobbles too.
Also noticed that on descents, say 30 mph, I have to engage the brakes because the frames wobbles so much it becomes almost uncontrollable. I checked and everything seems tight; the lbs will be looking at it this weekend.
Would like your opinions if you have the same issues with Roubaix products, and if you believe a Cannondable Synapse Carbon - same product range - would be a stiffer ride.
Thanks in advance
Michael
PS. I did do a search and found some threads but nothing conclusive about weight-specific riding for these models.
05-13-08, 07:49 PM
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I have the same bike and year, I'm the same weight and I'm 6'2' and I don't have anything that you mentioned. I would say that their is something wrong, somewhere. About the only thing I can think of, off the top of my head is, maybe your grip is a little to tight.
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05-13-08, 07:53 PM
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Hi Everyone,
I recently purchased a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite (FACT R6 carbon frame) and have come to realize that the frame is flexing quite a bit, much more than I expected. Oh btw, I'm 6"1 and 205 pounds - a mini-clyde.
I noticed that if I start pushing it on flats at aroud 20-22 mph, the front end wobbles - makes it hard to keep straight - and the back end wobbles too.
Also noticed that on descents, say 30 mph, I have to engage the brakes because the frames wobbles so much it becomes almost uncontrollable. I checked and everything seems tight; the lbs will be looking at it this weekend.
Would like your opinions if you have the same issues with Roubaix products, and if you believe a Cannondable Synapse Carbon - same product range - would be a stiffer ride.
Thanks in advance
Michael
PS. I did do a search and found some threads but nothing conclusive about weight-specific riding for these models.
I recently purchased a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite (FACT R6 carbon frame) and have come to realize that the frame is flexing quite a bit, much more than I expected. Oh btw, I'm 6"1 and 205 pounds - a mini-clyde.
I noticed that if I start pushing it on flats at aroud 20-22 mph, the front end wobbles - makes it hard to keep straight - and the back end wobbles too.
Also noticed that on descents, say 30 mph, I have to engage the brakes because the frames wobbles so much it becomes almost uncontrollable. I checked and everything seems tight; the lbs will be looking at it this weekend.
Would like your opinions if you have the same issues with Roubaix products, and if you believe a Cannondable Synapse Carbon - same product range - would be a stiffer ride.
Thanks in advance
Michael
PS. I did do a search and found some threads but nothing conclusive about weight-specific riding for these models.
05-13-08, 07:59 PM
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Curious... how would grip tension affect flex or wobble?
05-13-08, 08:23 PM
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It would make if feel like it was flexing and wobbling because of overcontrolling from tooo much muscle tension in your arms. It's like White Knuckling the steering wheel of the car. 
Same effect....oversteer and micromotions transmitted to the steering linkage.
Same effect....oversteer and micromotions transmitted to the steering linkage.
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05-13-08, 08:29 PM
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Okay, thats clearer now. Definitely not white knuckes, but i remember the whole bike flexing before i had a chance to tighten the grip or clapse the knees on the tube.
05-15-08, 08:42 AM
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if not over tension on the grip then something is loose.
If your LBS can't figure it out and you still have problems take the bike to another LBS. if still problems call specialized.
Oh and by the way I rode a buddy's synapse carbon 1 before I bought my allez, and loved the synapse, but i felt like it would snap in two with my 6'1" 225lb frame when i was taking some hills. The thing is nice and light, jsut I didn't have confiednce that the frame would hold up to my size for very long.
JOE
If your LBS can't figure it out and you still have problems take the bike to another LBS. if still problems call specialized.
Oh and by the way I rode a buddy's synapse carbon 1 before I bought my allez, and loved the synapse, but i felt like it would snap in two with my 6'1" 225lb frame when i was taking some hills. The thing is nice and light, jsut I didn't have confiednce that the frame would hold up to my size for very long.
JOE
05-15-08, 08:52 AM
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Two thoughts..
one pro replaced the fork on his Roubaix with a stiffer one. Another is that sometimes you can reduce or cure a wobble with needle bearings. They have a little more resistance before they start moving.
Stronglight.
Are you sitting somewhat forward on the bike? Can you give us a pic of the way you sit on the bike? That might help.
one pro replaced the fork on his Roubaix with a stiffer one. Another is that sometimes you can reduce or cure a wobble with needle bearings. They have a little more resistance before they start moving.
Stronglight.
Are you sitting somewhat forward on the bike? Can you give us a pic of the way you sit on the bike? That might help.
Last edited by late; 05-15-08 at 09:00 AM.
05-15-08, 09:45 AM
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I also have the same exact bike. I never used the stock wheels, so that may be different from yours, but I've never noticed any flexing or wobbling on my bike even at the speeds of 30+ MPH. In fact, a few weeks ago I was going down a hill and mentioned to my buddy riding with me how safe I feel on the Roubaix because it felt so stable and handled so well even at high speeds. I'm 6'3 and 260# using the 61cm frame.
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05-15-08, 03:40 PM
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if not over tension on the grip then something is loose.
If your LBS can't figure it out and you still have problems take the bike to another LBS. if still problems call specialized.
Oh and by the way I rode a buddy's synapse carbon 1 before I bought my allez, and loved the synapse, but i felt like it would snap in two with my 6'1" 225lb frame when i was taking some hills. The thing is nice and light, jsut I didn't have confiednce that the frame would hold up to my size for very long.
JOE
If your LBS can't figure it out and you still have problems take the bike to another LBS. if still problems call specialized.
Oh and by the way I rode a buddy's synapse carbon 1 before I bought my allez, and loved the synapse, but i felt like it would snap in two with my 6'1" 225lb frame when i was taking some hills. The thing is nice and light, jsut I didn't have confiednce that the frame would hold up to my size for very long.
JOE
05-15-08, 03:42 PM
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Two thoughts..
one pro replaced the fork on his Roubaix with a stiffer one. Another is that sometimes you can reduce or cure a wobble with needle bearings. They have a little more resistance before they start moving.
Stronglight.
Are you sitting somewhat forward on the bike? Can you give us a pic of the way you sit on the bike? That might help.
one pro replaced the fork on his Roubaix with a stiffer one. Another is that sometimes you can reduce or cure a wobble with needle bearings. They have a little more resistance before they start moving.
Stronglight.
Are you sitting somewhat forward on the bike? Can you give us a pic of the way you sit on the bike? That might help.
Thanks for the insight on the parts, I will have the lbs check all of this out.
05-15-08, 03:44 PM
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I also have the same exact bike. I never used the stock wheels, so that may be different from yours, but I've never noticed any flexing or wobbling on my bike even at the speeds of 30+ MPH. In fact, a few weeks ago I was going down a hill and mentioned to my buddy riding with me how safe I feel on the Roubaix because it felt so stable and handled so well even at high speeds. I'm 6'3 and 260# using the 61cm frame.
I did replace the stock wheels with Shimano Ultegra's, very stiff, nice ride. It would be interesting if THEY turned out to be the problem, but I doubt it. I did notice a clanking noise in my crank, comes from both sides, get it every time i apply more pressure than usual. Now i dont spin when i go down hills at 30+ mph so i dont think that would be the problem.
Stay tuned! and thanks again.
