Originally Posted by
IANative
Campag, I already have the SL2 Roubaix Rival, and I love it. I don't NEED another bike; just exploring some options should I decide I WANT another bike. I've only been on a road bike for eight months, so I'm still learning, but my limited knowledge thus far tells me that the shorter wheelbase would (should?) = quicker power transfer and faster acceleration, and that the more aero position achieved in a racing geometry frame would = better speeds on the flats and downhills, although the advantage gained from both factors may be minimal.
I understand your post above, and it makes perfect sense. My flexibility is such that with little or no warm up, I can get about halfway btwn fingertips and palm in your flexibility test. With a thorough warm up and good stretching, I can just get to full palm.
I certainly wouldn't want both bikes set up exactly the same, geometry-wise. I agree that kind of redundancy would be foolish. My thought was to get something like the Tarmac for my solo 20-mile after work "hard" rides, and continue to use the Roubaix for longer rides and events like RAGBRAI. Also, I'd continue to ride the Roubaix while riding w/ my wife on her Roubaix... usually a very easy spin for me.
Just thinking...
No foul in considering other bikes for sure. More bikes is better.
The thing is, many will come on here and share their experience but it is that...their and not your experience. The only true way to know is to have it be your experience. I believe you have to own several bikes to learn about fit and the best formula for 'you'. Again to look at pros, they are VERY different from average guys...even average guys out training on a road bike. Even within pros there is a pretty good range of fit...but you see more conformance than not because to be an elite rider you need it all really and that means riding very areo. Top riders literally fall to the handlebars. You see many in the peleton riding with their elbows over the bars. Most can ride that way comfortably but there are notable exceptions. Danno and Solo Assassin come to mind on here. There are pictures of their position on the bike in the archive if you look hard enough. They both have world class flexibility. No comfort bikes for those guys...they don't need 'em. No doubt there are many others here than don't need them either and don't ride them for good reason. But I would say more than not benefit from a taller head tube and why they are wildly popular.
So first things first. First slam your Roubaix position if you haven't already...purchase a long -17 deg stem. A common mistake is to lower the handlebar without ample reach. Pros do both for good reason. More drop is much easier to ride if you can stretch out. Danno has a good instructional on this if you can dig it out. If slamming your Roubaix works, I suggest you pick up another bike or start riding your friend's bikes to see how they feel. Again, I don't think you know until you own and live with different bikes. A test ride around the block isn't very telling.
Hope that helps.