OldTryGuy

But the RED looks faster.

Masque

You left the SWAT box off your list of differences. That's not free!

3LionsCT

Can you even buy a SWAT box these days? Everywhere I look it says they are out of stock....

Masque

They can be ordered. When we Frankenbuilt my Expert Di2 off a Comp frame, it took 2 months for the kit to arrive.

By the time it arrived, I was convinced I didn't need it, and I loved the flexibility of mounting cages lower than usual... and then I saw it, filled it up, used it for a couple of rides, and now I'm not sure how to convince myself to ride something without it. It's like a saddlebag that you don't have to dig through, and that doesn't waddle 'neath yer nethers when climbing. The new Diverge has mounts for it also....

dpw420

Hello all, I was trying to make the same decision myself over the past few weeks, and ended up ordering the 2018 Elite Roubaix in the matte black. I live in US, ordered the bike on Saturday and it is due in this Friday. I have a 2017 Diverge DSW, but wanted an upgrade, and the hydro brakes were a must. I have mech brakes on my Diverge, Hydro on my MTB and can tell a huge difference. Was looking into the 2017 Comp Roubaix, but they arent discounting them at all around me yet. Was going with the comp until I saw the 18 Elite had the brakes I wanted. When comparing the 18 comp and elite, I also could not justify the price difference. Plus the 18 comp colors are not so good looking to me. I love the yellow/orange 17 comp, but that one is no where to be found, and unable to order anymore through specialized.

johngwheeler

Well, I made up my mind, or at least had it made for me by seeing a very good offer.

I've ordered a 2017 Roubaix Expert UDi2 which had a whopping AU$2100 discounted from its list price. This was $100 cheaper than an already discounted mechanical-Ultegra Expert, and only slightly more than the 2017 Comp, which is also hard to find with any discounts (or relatively small ones).

I really hadn't thought that Ultegra Di2 bikes were going to be in my price range, so I jumped on this after only a brief pause to consider the wisdom of getting such a nice bike. The underwhelming spec of the 2017 Elite, the lack of discounts on the Comp and the marginal improvement between Comp & Elite (even discounted by AU$600) left me feeling like none of them were a particularly good deal.

If I hadn't found this bike, I would probably have waited for the 2018 Elite or Comp.


I'll need to thin the herd with my other bikes to justify this (and help pay for it!), but I'm looking forward to it - might even arrive today!

dpw420

wow that's a really good deal, congrats, monster green?

johngwheeler

Thanks! It's the charcoal black one - very subdued and understated, and hopefully doesn't shout "steal me!" next to more colourful bikes :-) I think I recall reading that the yellow/green one was only available in USA?

Should be arriving today, so I'll have time to set it up and have a test ride during the weekend.

Interesting how my expectations have changed in less then a year, when I thought my first bike (costing a third the price) was "a lot of money for a bike". I guess it's like any addiction...it becomes easier to justify getting the "good stuff".

Hunterdog

I am thinking of upgrading to Roubaix Expert Di2. I am of the opinion that with the 8000 Ultegra series coming out I should wait until that groupset comes with the bike. Does anyone know if the Ultegra 8000 series components will come with the 2018 bikes?

johngwheeler

Yes, I understand the Comp & Expert will have Ultegra 8000 components. I was going to wait for the 2018 Comp, but go t a very good deal on the 2017 Expert UDi2 (only slightly more than this year's comp), so I went for this. The 2018 models of Elite, Comp & Extra will all get price hikes, or so I am told. The '18 Elite is already several hundred dollars more expensive.

dynawolf

The Texas shops are selling all 17s at $3400(US). No discount because the demand is still high.

3LionsCT

I ended up getting a good deal on a 17 Comp in orange and yellow. Took it on my first ride yesterday. 72 miles from Brewster NY to NYC. Got a lot of comments on how sharp it looked. Even had a guy in Grand Central station come up to our group of 10 bikes and ask if he could take a picture of it 😊

Thanks for all the help

Masque

Congratulations. Welcome to the orange team. Post a couple of photos when you've got it all dialed in!

vinuneuro

I couldn't own something that bright, but over the weekend I saw the orange/yellow Comp at the LBS. It looked magnificent with the sun falling on it. One of the best looking bikes I had ever seen.

Dean V

I have to admit that I think it is not a good looking bike. The colours are nice but even a slammed stem isn't slammed due to the shock and the seatpost is truly ugly.

johngwheeler

I guess "beauty is in the eye of beholder" applies! You can't see the seat or notice the stem angle when you're riding it :-) I have the charcoal black model, which looks pretty nondescript - just like any black road bike. But I don't mind this and it certainly doesn't draw attention to your bike, which can be a good thing sometimes! For visibility, I wear lots of fluro clothing, so at least car drivers see me if not the bike :-)

af2nr

My LBS is showing a 2018 Expert Di2 in the shop but it is the same bike as the 17, saw this online and haven't actually been in to verify it's an 18 or the 6800, but from the pics and specs it is the same. The fact that Specialized has not updated the site makes it hard to know what the plan or deal is with the lineup? I know the same shop also has an 18 Tarmac Expert in that has the new Dura Ace but it seems many bikes have been held up with waiting on the new Ultegra. I have yet to see any bikes on the road with it, or in the shops for that matter...

OldTryGuy

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Sp...Bike-2018/G1KH

2018 Expert with Ultegra 8000 shown on Sigma Sport. This is what I have ordered.

LainfordExpress

I visited Cynergy Cycles in Santa Monica yesterday, and their computer showed no availability of 2018 Roubaix Comp until "early November" and an MSRP of $3200.

Erwin8r

Love the color--great looking bike!