Originally Posted by
Mberlin74
Hi all. I’ve just joined this forum and I’m looking forward to learning lots while here.
I’m currently waiting on the delivery of a 2022 Specialized Roubaix Expert. I’ve been informed that I may also have the opportunity to pick up a Pro instead. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on the differences and I’m not all that sure that the price difference would be worth the gain in bike specs.
The pro has Fact 11r carbon vs. 10r, carbon bars vs. aluminum, Roval Alpine CL carbon wheels vs. Roval c38 carbon wheels, Force etap vs. Ultegra Di2.
These are the main differences that I can see. Do the upgrades make the Pro that much better of a bike? In your opinions, is the difference in price (about $2600 CAD more for the Pro) worth the upgraded parts and materials?
Thanks in advance
The Specialized website shows Roubaix Expert and Pro using the same frame (Fact 10R). You have to step up to the S-Works Roubaix to get the Fact 11r frame.
The USD price difference between Expert and Pro is $700 ($8000 for the Expert, $8700 for the Pro). Maybe things are wildly different in the Canadian market? Or are you talking about comparing an S-Works Roubaix to a regular Roubaix?
Otherwise you seem to have highlighted the differences bertween the Expert and Pro, which (beyond drivetrain) is really just the handlebar & wheels. It also looks like the Pro is spec'd with a slightly different saddle (hollow titanium rails instead of solid titanium rails, so probably a few grams lighter).
In terms of the wheels - The Roval C38 wheels seem pretty good on paper. Carbon, 38mm depth, 1560g, tubeless 21mm internal and regular DT Swiss 350 hubs. The Roval Alpinist CL's are 200g lighter carbon and have straight pull DT Swiss 350 hubs. Retail cost difference on the wheelsets is around $600 USD ($1100 for the C38 and $1700 for the Alpinist CL's).
So, if you really want carbon bars and the fancier wheels, I'd say the Pro is a good buy if the cost difference is $8000 to $8700 (or the Canadian equivalent). I personally would choose the Expert and maybe just buy a carbon handlebar, keeping the stock alloy one around as a backup.
Beyond that, it's SRAM Force AXS 12sp vs Ultegra Di2 12sp. Both are fantastic drivetrains and I don't think I'd be unhappy with either and would value them the same.