Originally Posted by
dstrong
Now that I've settled on a Roubaix, I've been looking over the used market. I looks like I can pick up a 2-3 year old in the same carbon level as the Expert I rode and save substantial money. THEN...I can buy the Ultegra 6800 groupset, a new set of wheels and transfer everything off the used Roubaix onto my other steel bike for a complete upgrade, while upgrading the Roubaix frameset to the latest groupset.
...
If I buy the 2014 Roubaix, my other bike remains the mutt that it is for at least another year.
Did you check if the frame specs changed from 2-3 years ago? I know the entry level 2012 Roubaix is fairly different than the current one - slower handing mostly (which for me is actually a plus, I don't like the ultra twitchy handling on the latest Roubaix, but for you it might be a drawback).
I also think the latest Ultegra is better at shifting than the older Ultegra, based on the shifting quality from bikes I've been test riding recently.
If it was me, I'd just buy the newest one that I was head over heels for, knowing that it was exactly what I wanted right now and not risk getting different handling/geometry.