MulliganAl

I started using my Rivendell Hillborne more so my wife convinced me to sell the Tarmac, bad decision.

I’ll be turning 60 soon and the wife said, “go ahead and buy yourself a really nice road bike”, so here I am with about $4,000+ burning a hole in my pocket and too many choices. I liked the Tarmac but it was beginning to kill my back so I’d like something that is fast, light and reasonably comfortable.

I had my eye on a Specialized Roubaix but I’m sure there are many others that I may not have considered that could fit the bill.

I’d appreciate any suggestions you guys can offer.

McBTC

… I've been looking at Trek's Domane

tagaproject6

I am currently checking out the Wilier GTR-SL or the Colnago CX-Zero. I am trying to look for a more relaxed geometry and these 2 caught my eye.

vtje

What about Cervelo R3? Seems like right in the middle of Roubaix and Tarmac.
I am facing a somewhat similar question: I currently ride 10 years old Roubaix and it is time to upgrade, want something more stiff and aggressive, but I thing Tarmac would be too much.

Teamprovicycle

Specialized crux maybe .

CO_Steve

I'm finding my Giant TCR Advanced to be pretty comfortable.

colnago62

rgr555

get a Specialized Tarmac

OldTryGuy

Sorry about the loss of a dear friend.

I was all kitted up and had my 2013 Giant Propel SL Advanced set for yesterday's spirited group ride when a last second pit stop threw a stick into the spokes. Too late to join the group I decided to switch bikes and aired up my 2018 Roubaix Expert, water bottles mounted along with computer and tunes then off and pedaling. SOOO GLAD I switched because the ride was SOOOO GREAT I had 103 miles by the time I got back into the driveway.

TEST RIDE a Roubaix and if it talks to you like mine did to me, buy it.

Campag4life

Get a Trek Emonda. Read the ongoing thread here. If not going to a pure aero bike for speed and wanting to save your back, the Emonda H2 geometry is very friendly especially if you size up. Study the stack and reach of your Tarmac and compare it to the Emonda. Also, if you want to save a few bucks, get the new redesigned Emonda ALR. Still very light.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...lorCode=purple

Proof that choosing AL is a good decision...based upon older Trek Emonda ALR not the redesigned 2019 model:

Honestly, for $1500, the new Emonda is raceable bike and all the bike any of us would ever need.


Tarmac is a great bike. The Emonda can be built uber light and has a more friendly riding position.

I am a Specialized guy and don't like the new Roubaix. I ride an older Roubaix as my daily bike which as it turns out is very close in riding characteristics to the new Emonda.

Paul Barnard

Buy American from a company right down the road from you.

https://litespeed.com/collections/closeouts

firebird854

I ride a Tarmac Expert, my one and only bike, I recommend... BUYING ANOTHER ONE!!

Munk69

Ridley Helium SL or SLX - Awesome sale going on right now at CC.

MulliganAl

That's great to hear, thanks for the reply. I may go test ride one this weekend.

I was interested in getting a bike with the Shimano hydraulic disc system (or something similar), that seems like a nice low maintenance reliable system. - any thoughts?

MulliganAl

I thought about test riding a Litespeed, do you know which are somewhat similar to a Roubaix?

Paul Barnard

I am in the process of ordering a closeout T6. It'll be $1999 with a 105 group and weigh 18 pounds. They also have T5 on closeout for a couple hundred more. Those are their comfort/endurance geometry bikes. Their CS guy Jack is GREAT! I have been finishing up details with him this morning. Very knowledgeable and helpful. You can ring in on their live chat feature right now if you want to. Tell him I sent you.

Paul Barnard

Al, interestingly enough, I am replacing a Tarmac with the Litespeed.

MulliganAl

Very cool, thanks so much Paul. I'll try to touch base with him today or tomorrow.

OldTryGuy

Brakes are GREAT and as with anything mechanical, use or abuse will determine extent of maintenance. THE RIDE is of more importance to me than origin. A thorough test ride will allow the bike to tell you everything you need to know.

MyTi

I would go Lynskey or another American made titanium brand. I think you know the answer as to why you sold the specialized...it was a chinese carbon throwaway frame that you will always end up selling down the road. You can get a carbon Cervelo, Pinarello, won't matter, it's a frame that will lose it's mojo in 2-3 years. Carbon is nice but it's not something you keep. Titanium offers what you are looking when you don't want to tour in that anchor weight of a rivendell and you need something lighter and more fun.

MulliganAl

I've been chatting with Jack and he was very helpful. All of the T2's are gone in the ML though, and the disc version is about $800 more, not sure I want to go that far but this looks like a great choice for my next bike. I've never ridden Ti bike so I may need to find someplace to test ride before putting down $4K, but this looks very promising. Thanks for the heads up on the closeout.

Paul Barnard

This sounds like a sweet deal for you, and it's an endurance geometry. Available in ML too.

https://litespeed.com/collections/cl...12183490035787

Campag4life

Can I change my vote for you? After reading this thread, my vote for you is the Future Shock Roubaix all day long. Yes, I hate that bike but OldTryGuy loves his and you seem like the perfect rider for one. Or...definitely get a Ti bike because you have never ridden one before. And, hydraulic discs are a must.

Lazyass

$1665 if you sign up for a corporate account.

https://www.diamondback.com/road-bik...y-5c-carbon-41

MulliganAl

I was also checking out that Future Shock Roubaix, that looks like a really nice feature. While I love my Rivendell my wrists were killing me on my last ride, that shock in the handlebars would have been nice.