ello,

I've been mountain biking since 1998 and I just bought a Rocky Mountain Instinct planning to take part in cross country racing. In order to become better, I am considering purchasing a road bike to do more training in order to become more fit overall. I also plan to do a mini-triathlon event next year, so a road bike will be nice. Keep in mind the reason I am purchasing this bike is to train, not to actually race. I dont expect to do very well in the triathon or my cross country races since it is my first season.

What I am looking for in a bike:
This bike should be geared towards fast riding and training. I am not a weight weenie, so weight is not my number 1 goal. At 190 pounds, durability, strength, stability, and good handling is at the top of my chart.

My favouriate shop carries

Specialized
Cannondale and
Devinci

Since I get big discounts and excellent service for being a royal customer, I am pretty sure one of those manufacturers will have a product that will suit my needs. Please only recommand one of these 3 brands.

I plan on spending $1600 before discount or taxes, and this is the absolute max amount because it is my first road bike.

Someone on Roadbikereview forums suggested a Specialized Allex Comp Triple, and I was thinking about the Specialized Roubaix Elite Triple.

If I do go from the Allez Comp Triple to a Roubaix Elite Tripe, I go from a Ultegra/Durace group set to a 105/Ultegra group set. Also, I think I get inferior wheelset as well. The question is, how much worse at these two wheelsets in comparison?

RIMS Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 700c
RIMS Alex ALX-295, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls

Also, would the carbon frame last as long as the aluminum frame? Disregarding this being my first road bike, I am still spending a fair bit of money, and I do intend to use this bike for a while.

With all the factors considered, which one would you go with and why? Is it better to have a better frame with worse components, or is it better to have a lesser frame with much better components??

Ming

PS. I'm about 5'10". Should I be looking at a 56cm or a 57cm frame??



Full Bike Specifications

05 Allez Comp Double
FRAME Specialized compact race design, E5 AEROTEC, fully double-butted, heat-treated Columbus tubing, FACT advanced composite seat stays with Zertz inserts
FORK Specialized Carbon Speed Zertz, bonded carbon fiber legs, carbon crown, carbon steerer
HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8” integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings, carbon cone with 2 each 5mm spacers
STEM Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable (+16, +8, -8, -16 degrees), 4-bolt
HANDLEBARS Specialized Pro, carbon racing drop, 31.8mm diameter
TAPE / GRIPS Body Geometry, thin Bar Phat, cork ribbon
FRONT BRAKE Shimano Ultegra
REAR BRAKE Shimano Ultegra
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Dura-Ace, STI
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull, double
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Dura-Ace, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Dura-Ace, STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed, 11x23t
CHAIN Shimano Dura-Ace
CRANKSET FSA G-2, hollow 2-piece, five arm, super high polished arms
CHAINRINGS 53Ax39A
BOTTOM BRACKET FSA G-2, alloy super light, exterior bearings (integrated)
PEDALS Composite body, Cr-Mo axle
RIMS Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 700c
FRONT HUB Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 20 hole, Mavic QR
REAR HUB Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 24 hole, sealed freehub, Mavic QR
SPOKES Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, stainless steel
FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead
TUBES Specialized Turbo Ultra Light, presta valve
SADDLE Body Geometry Alias, carbon Fiber base, hollow Ti rails
SEAT POST Specialized Pavé, advanced composite, 27.2x350mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized, forged/CNC, double wedge




05 Roubaix Elite Triple
FRAME Specialized compact design, high modulus advanced carbon composite monocoque frame, advanced composite seat stays with Zertz inserts
FORK Specialized Full Carbon Zertz, monocoque high modulus advanced composite legs, high modulus carbon threadless steerer
HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8” integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings, alloy cone and headset spacers
STEM Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt
HANDLEBARS Specialized Zertz Roubaix, racing drop, 31.8mm diameter
TAPE / GRIPS Body Geometry, thin Bar Phat, cork ribbon
FRONT BRAKE Shimano 105
REAR BRAKE Shimano 105
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Ultegra, STI
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull, (triple)
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra, long cage (triple)
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Ultegra, STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE Shimano 105, 9-speed, 12x25t. Note: running change to 12-27.
CHAIN Shimano HG 73
CRANKSET FSA CK-8680, hollow carbon 2-piece, five arm, super high modulus unidirectional fiber arms
CHAINRINGS 52Ax42Ax30A (triple)
BOTTOM BRACKET FSA CK-8680, alloy super light, exterior bearings (integrated)
PEDALS N/A
RIMS Alex ALX-295, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls
FRONT HUB Alex ALX-295, 20 hole, sealed bearing, silver
REAR HUB Alex ALX-295, 24 hole, sealed bearing freehub, silver
SPOKES Alex bladed stainless steel, alloy nipples
FRONT TIRE Specialized All Condition Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead
REAR TIRE Specialized All Condition Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead
TUBES Specialized Turbo Ultra Light, presta valve
SADDLE Body Geometry Avatar, microfiber, hollow Cr-Mo rails
SEAT POST Specialized Pavé, advanced composite, 27.2x350mm
SEAT BINDER Roubaix, forged with Cr-Mo binder bolt