Believe I've got the bug... Considering buying another one already!!
 

So I've been riding my new Trek DS and I love it, great ride and does both the trails and the roads perfectly (for me anyway).
Well I started looking at some road bikes on CL, and I found a Fuji Roubaix 3.0. Anyone have opinions on that bike? I know us Clydes have some special considerations when it comes to road bikes, so is there anything I should be concerned about with this bike? Also, it's a medium size and I'm 5'8.5" tall, from what I've seen that should be the right size.
As much as I love the Trek, I want something that's going to take me on a century ride sometime. I want to keep pushing faster and farther, and the price is right on this one ($400).
Anyway, just wanted fellow Clyde's opinions on the bike!

Thanks all.

I don't know anything about that bike but the bug hit me hard. New bike on Wednesday makes 3 in 7 months and 4 total now. Quit now before you buy another one :).

I started out on a mountain bike and soon decided I wanted a road bike. After investing in a road bike I found it didn't suit me. To make a long story short I've found Hybrids suit me very well. So to avoid ending up with several bikes I would take your time and figure out what you like/want in a bike.

I don't get the fascination with multiple bikes.

I have my main ride and I ride it to the exclusion of all my other bikes. Its a Specialized roubaix that I built up from parts.
I have a perfectly good steel Bianchi that hasn't seen pavement since ... don't know.
I have a Merlin Road frame that I pillaged for parts for the Roubaix. I need to sell both of them, they're not doing me any good.

Unless you have different types of bikes, like a cross bike, mountain bike etc. Why would you want 4 bikes that do the same thing in the same way? One of them is probably best and that's the one I ride. :)

Hmm.

Touring
cross
tri
mountain
Road

That should about hold me

My 4 bikes, one single speed, one mountain, one road climber and newest is because I can bike. :)

according to www.bikepedia.com the fuji roubaix 3.0 was made in 2010.2011.&2012. the 2010 model is blue and white (11 is black, 12 white). alum frame w/carbon stays/carbon fork/sora shifters/compact crankset/$875.
This appears to be a beginner level offering but probably not the lowest. the carbon fork will help at smoothing out the road, theoretically the stays should help also however that is a topic of some debate, some maintain that the point of connection between the two different materials is a weak spot prone to failure (I have no direct experience with carbo/alum frames).
the sora shifters are the lowest shimano offering and are undesirable by most but competent to say the least and of course upgradable.
this bike should be plenty fine for longer road trips and a good starter. If the bike is in absolute perfect condition I think $400 is a good price. you may be able to talk him down $50 or so based upon condition of the little stuff like tires, brake pads, and griptape.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...03.0&Type=bike

See? All different purposes. I get that!

Only problem with my theory is if all those bikes show up in my garage, my wife is going to leave ;)

Ah, the S-1 counter theory.

I have that issue as well.

Thats funny riiiite thar ...I don't care who you are

Well the bike I was looking at sold, so I started looking around again, and I found a Madone 3.1.... But the guy is asking $1800!!!!!!!! The little research I've done I've seen it on clearance for $1600, so I'm thinking more of $1,000 to $1,200. That sound about right?

Alright all, I need your help. I have only one small bike shop in town, and their fitting consists of "yeah, that looks right," or "maybe a little bigger" type fitting. So that also puts Craigslist out as far as multiple options. Well, I still want to get a road bike and work my way up to century rides, so I've been looking on ebay and I found this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Trek-Ma...item43af831685

Worth it? Not worth it? Issues you can see? I'm 5'8", and have always had a "stocky" build. The money for it is pretty much my absolute high limit, but I want something I'm not going to have any upgrade issues with for a few years. If I lose some wight and have to adjust sometime down the road, I'm fine with that.
So, I guess to my real question, am I overdoing it with a Madone 4.5? Or is that still a good "starter" road bike? I have a Trek DS that I've been taking on 10-20 mile rides, but I really, really want to to some century rides and work up my endurance.

EDIT: Well, apparently it sold in the time I took to make this post!!!! Oh well, on to looking again!!!

I just bought my son a bike off bikes direct. It has a full apex group and I have to admit I was impressed with th build quality. It was 800 delivered to my door.

I see no reason that bike wouldn't meet your needs. If in a year you find you want something "better" I am sure you could sell that bike n Craigslist and then get what you wanted.

It was the winsor falkirk if I remember correctly.

as vesteroid mentions above, www.bikesdirect.com may be exactly what you need. assuming you can assemble a bike from a box, if not your local shop will do it for a price ($100?). its a great way to learn bicycle mechanics and get a great deal on a brand new ride. I like the motobecanes. heres 3 and half the cost of the trek that will easily get the job done.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ventnoir_x.htm $700
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...sprint_xii.htm $900
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...strada_xii.htm $900

If you want to spend up to $1800 look at these

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rtalpro_xi.htm $1300
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...arbon_6600.htm $1400
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rtal_ice_x.htm $1800


GOOD LUCK

Welcome to N+1 :)

If you can assemble a bikesdirect bike you should be checking craigslist for something nicer at about half the price.

Fail to see the issue

(forgot the sarcasam smiley deal):innocent:

The 2200/2300 level stuff is below Sora. Sora doesn't have the "bling-factor" that Ultegra and Dura-Ace does, but you are right, it is definitely a competent line.

Road bikes really don't have special concerns for big people. As with all bikes, though, the wheels are something we can be hard on. I wouldn't buy a used carbon bike on the internet, though.

I feel pretty much the same way. I'd even go a step further: once you start preferring that one favorite bike, you get used to the way it handles, and other bikes feel weird by comparison. (Full disclosure: I have two road bikes, a CF one that I love, and a metal one that I use for commuting, and other errands that need me to lock it up.)