Originally Posted by
waitforme
LemondZurich, great looking bike and just what I have my eye one!
I had more or less settled on a 58cm Specialized Roubaix until I saw the Le Champ Ti recently. On their website BD present the carbon Le Champ as a semi-relaxed geometry and compare it to the Specialized Roubaix. I'm getting a little longer in the tooth (47) with some upper back and neck issues, so comfort has a priority over an aggressive race orientated geometry/fit. Do you find the Le Champ Ti fits that description. Or even better have your ridden a recent Roubaix and can you make a direct comparison?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Kevin
I haven't ridden a Roubaix so I can't really comment on a direct comparison. Have you been able to compare the geometries of the bikes based on specs alone? The only thing I can think to remark on is that the Le Champ seems to ride pretty similar to my old Lemond except it's stiffer. And from a handling standpoint as far as turning goes, it seems pretty close (not twitchy but does turn on a dime). On the other hand, I rode a Titus a week ago, and I nearly lost the front end because it was so sensitive. I think the head tube angle on the Titus was 74 and the Le Champ is a 73 so that explains that.
Otherwise, one thing to note is that you won't be able to raise the bars much as the bike comes with the fork tube already cut down pretty short. So if you wanted to add spacers, you'd have to buy a new fork to accommodate them.
Hope that helps!