dimer0

Preface: I just spent the last 30 minutes searching the forums for this answer, and couldn't find it.

I'm out continuing the hunt for my first road bike today, and saw a '06 Specialized Roubaix Elite Triple - wow, nice bike. 105s around, Ultegra in the rear.. That bike store is in a very crowded shopping center, so I opted against a test ride due to traffic, and figured I would come back on a weekday night to check it out. $1800 MSRP, they had it for $1599.

I went to one of the other Specialized dealers in town (in a less crowded area), and they had an '05 Roubaix Elite, but this one had Ultegras brake levers as well. The guy at the store said everything was Ultegra except the front derailer and the cranks. This one (according to the sticker) - $2200 MSRP, "Normally" $2000, closeout price - $1599.

And, heck yea - I got to ride it (along with the Allez Elite, a Trek 2200, and some Leomond (sp?) around the same price)... Other than the 40 degree temps and my short sleeve shirt putting my body into a state of numbness - I *really* liked the Roubaix Elite over the other bikes I rode (I rode them all a couple times to compare). My wife said "could you PLEASE just buy this today, so we're not back in more bike shops tomorrow?".. Hah. (I'm pretty giddy right now, two weeks ago my budget was $800-$1000, and today she even didn't flinch much at a $2200 bike, although I'm a bit leery of spending that much)

I asked if the $1599 was firm, and they said it was. I got the books on the '05s and '06 Specialized bikes, and I really am ignorant in comparing some of these specs with each other.. (Like, what's the difference betwen ALX 298R vs ALX 295R wheels??)

Any advice? Thanks so much from this n00b.

Grasschopper

For the same price I would go for the 05. They are basically the same bike and neither set of wheels is the best...that is the first thing I would replace on either one. You will be ok with them if you are not a clydesdale but if you are a larger rider my guess is that you will be looking for wheels in side a year.

The Roubaix is a great bike...I have an 06 Comp double and a lot of others ride Roubaixs here on the BF.

dimer0

Thanks - I was hoping they were pretty much the same bike. I think I'll be very happy with the 05.

jet sanchEz

I picked up a used 2004 with full Ultegra (except the wheels which are 540s and the cassette which is Dura Ace) for 1200$CDN and I like it so far. Nice and light and I like the stiffness of the frame, is the one you are looking at also an aluminium frame with the rear-stays carbon-fibre? Or did the frame change for '05? Here is how mine looks:

wolfpack 

i'm glad you got this thread started! i, too, am looking at the roubaix elite triple and wanted to know if there was a big difference in the 05 and 06 model? one lbs i spoke with said that the cost for the 05 was 2000, but i called another shop and the 06 was 1600 with 10% off? can someone explain this?? thanks.

Grasschopper

Well with the release of 105 10 speed they really mixed up the product line. The frame is the same on both bikes but since there is no more Ultegra 9 speed the shifters are 105 9 speed on the 06 bike. The crank arms are now AL vs the CF of the 05. Basically they speced it a little lower and the MSRP is lower. Really the sweet spot of the Roubaix line for 06 is the Comp which has an MSRP of $2200 but you get better wheels (well the double version does), a CF crank, and you get upgraded to 10 speed (105 brifters, brakes and FD, Ultegra RD). The 05 Comp is now more like the 06 Expert model, the 06 comp is a bit better than the 05 Elite and the 06 Elite is speced a little worse but at a lower price as well.

af2nr

No the 05 Elite and above are full carbon fiber. As far as 05 v. 06 I would say go with the 05 as it is better spec'd than the 06 and can be had for about the same price, if you can find your size. Most shops can still order some 05 sizes as well if it isn't in stock.