I've got a Specialized Roubaix Pro frame now, because of a warranty with the original Comp frame I bought last summer. The 2d week I had the Comp, one of the water bottle screw anchors in the carbon frame came loose. The dealer said Specialized gave me 2 choices--let them epoxy the the anchor back in because it wasn't structural and they agreed to send me the new, more expensive frame at no charge. It was a no brainer.

I can't tell that those inserts do a thing. It is probably either a gimmick or such a slight difference that a normal human being could not perceive it.

I would not use my Roubaix frame without the inserts, gimmick or not. The material in the fork and other places where the Zertzes are placed is kind of thin and I can see how the insert could help dampen and reinforce the movement of the frame in that place under stress.

Only my thought without any proof. I prefer to use things that I need to trust going downhill at 40+mph the way they were intended to be used

I also don't know how much hype is in the inserts, but here is a review from '04 Cycling News by someone who took his Roubaix to the cobble stone roads of Roubaix France to check it out. I assume he compaired the Specialized Roubaix to other bikes. :
"Admittedly, I was rather skeptical about the Zertz concept and how much of a difference some clear elastomer blobs in the frame could make to really damp shock. I'm pleased to report, they live up to the hype. While nothing will save you from the Arenberg Forest, riding on most sections of pavé was a considerably less jarring experience. We're not talking full suspension here; you'll still feel all the bumps. The difference is that the vibrations become more of a series of steady thuds than harsh knocks to the frame/body."

So at least this "expert" was convinced.

Don't want to start an argument, but I keep hearing these horror stories of people's fears of collapsing carbon seatposts. Has anyone here actually HAD one collapse, or really KNOWN someone that had one fail, or is this just another "urban myth".

Personally, I ride a Thomson AL seatpost on a TI frame, so I don't have a "dog in the Hunt" anyway....

Probably should start another thread for this....sorry.

You can't put a price on bling.

What kind of epoxy did you settle on?

Oh, I'm only kidding

Steve

I emailed specialized about the zerts and suggested to go to a specialized dealer to order the inserts.
Person added that the zertz did not provide structural strenght and the frame can be ridden without them. hmm....