Specialized Roubaix or Soma Smoothie ES or other?
05-12-05, 12:28 PM
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Specialized Roubaix or Soma Smoothie ES or other?
hi all-
i'm in the market for a road bike (already have a mountain bike) and was hoping to get some advice or comments. i'm NOT going to be racing and am instead looking for a bike that has the best combination of "plushness" and performance -- and ideally also versatility (in terms of being able to accept 28mm tires, fenders, and maybe even a rack).
of the ones i've ridden (including a couple of jamis bikes, a redline bike, and lemond/felt cyclocross bikes), the two that seem best suited are the specialized roubaix or the soma smoothie es (didn't get a chance to try the regular soma smoothie). i noticed some difference between the roubaix and the roubaix elite, but not tons. the attractive thing about the soma smoothie es is that it can definitely take the 28mm tires and has braze ons for full fenders and front/rear racks.
it seemed to me that they were both about equally comfortable/plush, but that the smoothie es was slightly more versatile and that the roubaix was slightly better performing. does that seem like a fair assessment?
and if so, any suggestions on which way to go (including other options i haven't considered)?
i'm looking to spend up to about $2,000. i'll be using it for weekend recreational rides (i live on an island near seattle and want to explore it via road cycling), a short commute a couple of days per week, and maybe over the longer term some riding with others. i'm NOT planning to do any serious touring and about the main thing that i will carry is a laptop computer, and maybe a few groceries here and there if i run errands.
i was originally looking at cyclocross bikes, but it seems to me that i won't really use much of the function that's built into those, since i won't be racing, and since i won't really use it much off road.
thanks!
kully
i'm in the market for a road bike (already have a mountain bike) and was hoping to get some advice or comments. i'm NOT going to be racing and am instead looking for a bike that has the best combination of "plushness" and performance -- and ideally also versatility (in terms of being able to accept 28mm tires, fenders, and maybe even a rack).
of the ones i've ridden (including a couple of jamis bikes, a redline bike, and lemond/felt cyclocross bikes), the two that seem best suited are the specialized roubaix or the soma smoothie es (didn't get a chance to try the regular soma smoothie). i noticed some difference between the roubaix and the roubaix elite, but not tons. the attractive thing about the soma smoothie es is that it can definitely take the 28mm tires and has braze ons for full fenders and front/rear racks.
it seemed to me that they were both about equally comfortable/plush, but that the smoothie es was slightly more versatile and that the roubaix was slightly better performing. does that seem like a fair assessment?
and if so, any suggestions on which way to go (including other options i haven't considered)?
i'm looking to spend up to about $2,000. i'll be using it for weekend recreational rides (i live on an island near seattle and want to explore it via road cycling), a short commute a couple of days per week, and maybe over the longer term some riding with others. i'm NOT planning to do any serious touring and about the main thing that i will carry is a laptop computer, and maybe a few groceries here and there if i run errands.
i was originally looking at cyclocross bikes, but it seems to me that i won't really use much of the function that's built into those, since i won't be racing, and since i won't really use it much off road.
thanks!
kully
