2018 Specialized Roubaix Elite or 2017 Roubaix Comp/Expert?
 

I'm looking at the 2017 Specialised Roubaix, and had decided that I wanted at the least the "comp" level to get hydro disk brakes and a mostly Ultegra groupset. I was told at my LBS that 2018 Elite will move from Spyre mechanical disk brakes to Shimano hydros, which puts it in the running again.

But....the 2018 bikes (when they arrive) will have a higher list price (AU$3800 for the 2018 Elite vs AU$3300 for the 2017), and are unlikely to be discounted at the beginning of their release cycle.

I can probably find a 2017 Comp for the same price, or maybe a little more (for some reason the "Comp" isn't discounted as often - maybe it's too popular!)

The LBS also had a discounted 2017 Expert (from AU$5300 RRP to AU$4600). Would a AU$500-600 premium be worth it for the better brakes, shifters and a a couple of extra Ultegra parts vs 105/Praxis parts?

Any thoughts from Roubaix owners?

The RS685 on the '17 Expert are some of best hydraulic levers available. They're worth the difference at this price range (and perhaps the upgraded wheelset, though it's hard to tell without more information from Specialized). If the Elite model moves to hydraulic, it'll probably be to the inferior (and enormous) RS505 levers.

Not inferior, they work perfectly. Not enormous, comfortably plump. The most comfortable levers I've ever used in fact. And yes, the 2018 Elite will have the RS505 levers.

-Shin

2017 Comp's are hugely discounted right now if you can find one. When new, I believe they retailed for 3200 USD. My LBS has one right now for 2800 USD. $400 off Bikeradar.com's 2017 Road Bike of the Year is a great deal. But it sounds like your market is different than mine. Are 2017 Comp's still available in your area?

-Shin

Disagree. The action isn't as sharp. I, and most reviewers it would seem, find the shape of the RS685 preferable. I'd hope the bar would be a little higher than 'it works' at $4K.

Yes, there still seem to be a few Comps around, many (but not all) with some discount (the list price is AU$4100 here).

I've had a look at the Expert spec, and it really only seems to differ in the RS685 brake levers & Ultegra callipers, an Ultegra cassette & crank, and a slightly better saddle. Assuming I could get maybe AU$200 discount on the Comp (AU$3900), then the Expert I've seen costs AU$700 more for the above. I'm not sure whether the component difference is really worth it, but maybe the Ultegra brakes are a lot better?

I test rode a 56cm Roubaix Expert today, and really liked it! It felt much better to me than the 54cm frame version of the same bike, probably because it only had about 2cm of handlebar drop.

I rode over minor obstacles like drains, man-hole covers and cracked pavement, and the Future Shock just ate them up. Riding on a rough grass path or smooth gravel was very composed too. It really is an amazingly smooth ride - better than my carbon CX bike with fat tires.

It does feel a little bit less sure footed when climbing out of the saddle, but this may just be because I'm not used to 26mm tires (I normally ride 32mm touring tires).

But the bike just an incredible "get up a go" feel to it - really responsive, without feeling fragile.

I am sorely tempted!

Shin,

That's a great discount. I have spoken to several LBS in the North East and they won't budge from the list which is $3400

Surprising news. You would think that they would blow out the 2017 models to make room for the incoming 2018 models. I guess they think they can sell them at retail price.

-Shin

Same in Australia - particularly for the Comp, which I think has been popular. I can see the Elite discounted quite heavily for AU$3300 to AU$2800. I guess they think that if they can sell them for full price, then why not? The 2018 Comp isn't out yet, so this may change once it become available.

Perhaps I should wait and get myself a deal!

Any idea when the 2018 Comp is due? The Elite is already available, as is the new Future Shock Diverge.

Not sure when the 2018 Comp is due out but I am dropping off my commuter at the LBS for some work next week. I'll ask. Last time I visited, two weeks ago to order some parts, neither the 2018 Comp or the New Diverge were available yet. Small market where I live. Only 26k people in my town so everyone knows everyone's bike. :D

BTW, here is my 2017 Comp:

http://i.imgur.com/lWLeYuH.jpg

-Shin

Sweet looking ride! I prefer the orange frame to the blue one, but I guess it depends on what the LBS has in stock. Do they make the Comp is just these two colors?

There is a third color, orange and naked carbon I think. Ah, here we go:

https://i.redd.it/n18hlmmnl8iy.jpg

-Shin

Told today that my 2018 Red Roubaix Expert will not be available until October. :cry: Was hoping to have it before Six Gap in September.

Do you have the specs for the 2018 Expert? Are there any significant changes from the 2017 model? I'm also curious to see the specs for the 2018 Roubaix Comp. I'm considering either the Diverge or Roubaix, the 1x11 in the Diverge Expert sounds very interesting.

One of the stores I went to said October for the Comp in the US

Thanks! This makes sense because I read that Specialized have moved their annual launch event from July to September this year. October availability would align with this.

I'm still debating whether the upgrade to the Expert level (for $AU500 more than the Comp) is really worth it, but I may find that can't even find a 2017 Comp if they are no longer producing new ones and old stock is sold off.

Component delays causing manufacturing delays according to LBS.

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

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Sp...Bike-2018/G1EP

-Shin

Any thoughts on Ultegra 6800 vs 8000 components? I haven't seen many reviews yet.

I haven't seen or read any reviews of the new 8000. Nice looking groupset. I'm sure it will be another quality product from Shimano.

-Shin

Thanks for posting this - doesn't look they will be available until November / December in this UK store.

I still can't see how the upgrade pricing from Comp to Expert can be justified. It's even less than the 2017 model (where it could be argued the difference between RS505 and RS685 brakes and levers could be justified).

Here are the differences for about AU$1000

• STEM: Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
• HANDLEBARS: Specialized Comp Hover Bar, 6061 alloy, 70x125mm w/ Di2 hole
• CASSETTE: Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t
• CHAIN: KMC X11EL, 11-speed w/ Missing Link™
• CRANKSET: Praxis Zayante, 6061 alloy chainrings, alloy bolts
• FRONT WHEEL: Roval SLX 24 Disc, sealed cartridge hubs, DT Swiss Competition spokes, 24h, clincher
• REAR WHEEL: Roval SLX 24 Disc, sealed cartridge hubs, DT Swiss Competition spokes, 24h, clincher
SADDLE: Specialized Body Geometry Phenom Comp, Adaptive Edge design, Hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

vs

• STEM: Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt
• HANDLEBARS: Specialized Expert Hover, alloy, 75x125mm
• CASSETTE: Shimano 11-speed Ultegra 8000, 11-32t
• CHAIN: Shimano Ultegra 8000, 11-speed
• CRANKSET: Shimano Ultegra R8000
• FRONT WHEEL: Roval SLX 24 Disc, DT Swiss 350 hubs, DT Swiss Competition spokes, 24h, clincher
• REAR WHEEL: Roval SLX 24 Disc, DT Swiss 350 hubs, DT Swiss Competition spokes, 24h, clincher
• SADDLE: Specialized Body Geometry Phenom Expert, Adaptive Edge design, hollow titanium rails, carbon fiber base, 143mm

Really not sure whether an Ultegra cassette, crankset, chain and a different wheel hub is really worth the money. Saddle, stem and bar spec differences are probably very minor.

Hmmm - now I need to decide whether it's worth waiting for the 2018 models with Ultegra 8000 or not....

Yeah, if it was me, I'd go with the 2018 Comp. Seems like a better value Although, I'm not crazy about the color. Prefer the color of the Expert. That red is pretty nice.

-Shin

RED for me all the way!!!! :love:

2018 Expert:
https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net...-Bike-2018.jpg

2018 Comp:
https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net...-Bike-2018.jpg

-Shin