Originally Posted by cerfsud

I'm looking to buy or build up a new bike. I don't race and I'm not very flexible, so comfort is my top priority, with speed and such still close runner-ups. With that said, does anybody have any fresh perspective and insight into how the following three bikes/frames compare:

Trek Madone 6-series
Specialized Roubaix (Pro, possibly S-Works)
Giant TCR Advanced SL

All 2010. If I go with the Trek, I'll probably buy the bike whole, but with the other two I'll most likely buy the frame and spec the components myself.

I'm obviously going to test ride all of these, but until that happens, I though I'd seek some advice here.

Some quick background: My current bike is an old Schwinn Varsity with relatively fat tires and a fat saddle. The thing is on its last leg, getting unrideable, and I don't want to put any more money into it. I'm on a holdover Schwinn Tourist hybrid right now. So, quite obviously, I'm looking to splurge.

I took a 2008 Madone 5.2 out for a weekend about two months ago and had a blast with it (first carbon bike I've ridden), but I had to stand up for even minor road/path irregularities. I still need to try a 2010 Madone 6 (with the new OCLV2 frame); maybe comfort has improved.

I just recently rode a 2009 S-Works Roubaix and also found it exhilarating. The bike was incredibly comfortable; I took it over every crack and bump I could find, dirt paths, and maybe even a set of concrete steps. I was in the saddle for most of that and the bike seemed like it was on suspension. I'm writing a little bit of this off to placebo effect, but it was still great. Road handling/grip seemed great, but 'steering the cockpit' for whatever reasoned seemed a little mushier than the Madone, maybe because the fit wasn't quite right (it was a quick test ride).

Lastly, I haven't touched a Giant yet, but I've heard great things about the TCR Advanced SL's comfort/compliance as well.

Thoughts? Thanks.