I'm finally going to order my new bike in the next day or two, and I'm still bouncing back and forth between the 05 Specialized Roubaix Pro and the 05 Specialized Roubaix Comp.

The Pro has a carbon stem and full Dura-Ace including DA wheelset. The Comp is a mix of DA and Ultegra with FSA cranks, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, and an alloy stem. There will be a $600 difference (Important correction below - it's closer to 1K) in price.

On one hand, I don't need to spend that much extra money on a bike. On the other hand, I don't want to spend a bunch of money on one bike while still lusting after another bike.

I'm also wondering how many posts it will take before somebody posts a bunch of bikes that aren't on my short list above. I've been researching the Roubaix for a long time now--it will be either the Pro or Comp.

Thoughts?

I might be wrong, but I think the Comp and Pro use the same frame, fork and bars - the question is if you'll really notice the difference between partial Ultegra 6600/Dura-Ace mixture, and full DA? If you somehow dislike having Ultegra shifters, you can always upgrade and get a decent price for the old ones on ebay...

$600 can buy a lot of jerseys, shorts, extra tires, better shoes, GPS, etc etc...

I'd go with the Pro. You're already talking about wanting it if you get the Comp. Besides, in my opinion the Mavic Equipe wheels leave a lot to be desired. If the Comp had Elites I think I'd keep the 6 hundo. But there was a noticible difference in these two to me. Go Pro and ride the snot out of it. I don't think you'll be sorry.

I had the same debate with myself a year ago and went with the Pro. I'm not sure of other brands of wheels but the DA wheels are light, indestructible and stay true. I have 1,930 miles on them and they are still perfectly true. Yesterday at the end of a ride I was looking back for cars to cross a street and hit a pothole at about 15 mph that I thought broke my forks off…nothing happened, at all! I inspected the wheels and can find no sign of anything and they’re still straight as ever. And of course the rest of the bike performs flawlessly, I have recommended this bike before and still do, nothing has happened to change my mind. You won’t regret the extra money spent after you have it, I didn’t and still don’t regret it.

Thanks for the input so far.

Normally, I counsel people to go with the Ultegra for the savings, but in this case you are talking about a much better wheel set to go along with the DA. I bought my Pro rather than comp at the time, because the Pro was a 2004 leftover, and at $3150, I would have been a fool to buy the Comp. Knowing what I know now, and having about 6000 miles on the bike and wheelset, and being that it is only $600, your choice almost has to be the Pro.

I think you should ride them both...
If you can't tell the difference b/t Dura-Ace & Ultegra and the respective wheelsets.. You have the answer...
If you DO tell the difference... then is it worth $600 to you?
I'm not trying to shy you away from the Pro, but you have to look at what your body feels... know what I mean?

-Peter

At my LBS the difference in price is $1k. What is your LBS asking for both bikes? Your is San Antonio...may be worth my drive. I'm assuming you're also talking about the Comp Double.

I dont want DA. To dam $$ when its time to replace. 1K difference in price everwhere i've seen them. Gey the CD Synapse. All Ultegra with Elites.

I had a similar decision but with the Elite VS. Comp, I had read some reviews that the Alex wheels on the Elite were a bit flimsy. So I went with the Comp upgraded components and better wheels though some say the Equipes aren't that great. You know the saying "you don't know what your missing until you try it" well never rode the Pro so it may be great or not I never tried it. I think I would have been just as happy with the Elite but emotions took over and went Comp only a $500 diff for me. I vote Comp it is a nice ride if you are really unhappy with the wheels you can pick up some on Ebay.

The Equipes are ok but around 2000g. I would use them until i could upgrade to Elites or Curcuits unless i could work out a good deal with the lbs.

Other than the components, the bike's finish is also different. The Pro's got a "nude" carbon finish, and the Comp's got a "clear coat" over the carbon. When you get rock chips n stuff, it shows up very easily on the Comp, and it's a pain to touch up. My Comps got a gang load of chips... =(

I've got some news for you, repairing chips on the bear carbon is no breeze either unless you have some great tips you can share.

I don't have any chips in my frame yet but I've got a few on the DA cranks (more like divets from rocks or something).

DriveBy - what are you using the bike for? club rides, races, solo training?

I always assumed that the difference between the two frames was the Comp had a glossy clear coat and the Pro had a flat clear coat. Much like the difference in furniture finishes. I wouldn't believe that the Pro has no finish on it, does it???

I'm just guessing the clear coat is easier to chip and much easier to see than the "nude."
Repair-wise I'm sure it's a problem just as well, but I think it's easier to see the chips on the clear coat.

The 2004 Pro has a matte finish clear coat
The 2005 Pro has a slightly glossier matte finish
For the OP, it's a tough choice between the two. I bought the 2005 Pro and built it with all Dura Ace and Mavic SL's. You may ask your LBS if you purchase the comp if you can pay to upgrade the wheel set (there's nothing wrong with the Mavic Elites). Either choice you make will be a good one . Let us know which one you get and how you like it.

If you guys are worried about chips on your bike... I dunno... LOL
Should you have bought CF bikes in the first place?
They're bound to appear... esp. on carbon bikes...
It's an excuse to get another one...

Where did you get the worried part from? LOL

This is a little off topic, but have any of you had problems with the Zertz fittings coming loose. I was cleaning my bike last night and noticed that the Zertz fitting in the seat post is loose, I could probably push it all the way out if I tried. The velcro strap on my wedge bag will keep it from falling out, but I'm not sure how safe it is.

Not worried, but it may be a factor for DriveBy when making a decision for purchase.

Woah...
See that's something to be worried about... I would and am..
Hmm.. how long have you had your bike? where was your last ride?

-Peter

I have chipped my pro. Went to Sennik paint in Costa Mesa and got the
clear coat for CF. Mask off, build up with many coats, sand and rub. It
was gloss clear but you can't hardly tell the diff.

IMPORTANT CORRECTION: The Comp I was looking at was mispriced, and the difference is closer to $1K than the $600 I said above.

Having said that, I ordered the Pro today. I'm buying it from a bike shop out of town, and will pick it up on the 25th. I went out of town for reasons of loyalty - Plano Cycling has been really great to me, and it gives me an excuse to visit family in the area. It's a win-win situation: I visit with my family and my in-laws, and I get to pick up a sweet new ride. Plus, I found out my older brother has also gotten back into cycling, so I'm hoping to break in the new bike during our first ride together in 15 years.