Bosock

Looking at two bikes...both Specialized Roabeuix (?)...one is alluminum with carbon fiber forks and seat serts ... the other is all carbon fiber...both have 105 components...the allum/carbon one is 1200 and the all carbon (frame 6r) framed bike is $1499.

Those that have rode both...or more experience than i...is the carbon bike worth 300 more...are the carbon bikes as good of climbers and as responsive as the alluminum...i know they soak up more of the road feedback.

Again they are both specialized Roabeaixs...any insight or feedback would be appreciated.

thanks

mandovoodoo

Carbon. Don't buy one too big. Get the smallest you can ride on, longer stem.

taz13

I just bought the '08 Specialized Roubaix Elite (all carbon) and I love it !

ilmooz

My aluminum bikes have all been harsher riding than carbon. To me the extra money is well spent.

shawk

That doesn't seem like much difference in price. However we always have our caps on how much to spend or how much we want to spend. I'm very new to the full carbon bike scene (today in fact ). However, the difference in ride was immediately noticeable. I've ridden alum bikes, alum bikes with carbon forks and now own my first full carbon. Hop on both bikes and check them out. You may think differently. Good luck...

beoba

I got the '07 Roubaix Triple (aluminum), it was a pretty good deal ($1200 for a white '07) from a great shop. I test-rode the bike on a Friday evening, and rushed back to buy it on Saturday morning. Having owned it for a few weeks now, I still love it, and actually prefer it over what I saw of the '08 versions. For some reason, the 2008 model has only minimal changes, yet the MSRP has jumped by $100. Add the lack of year-end discounts and the odd choice of colors and it looks like much less of a deal compared to the '07s.

I didn't want to get full carbon, as I didn't really care about weight enough to justify the extra money, and I found the carbon components (and my non-stock saddle) on the Triple to be plenty for shock absorption. I decided to wait until I was actually racing before investing in a carbon wonderbike. Other concerns I had were the long-term durability of carbon, and the ability to use/park it in urban settings without worrying about it getting scratched up/banged around, which apparently can have structural implications with carbon.

Now that I've had it for a few weeks, the only downside I've encountered was that the small racing-style "Avatar" saddle included on the bike was very uncomfortable for me. However, I was able to trade it for a Brooks B17 at no cost(!) a couple weeks after the purchase, as the original saddle already needed warranty replacement due to one of the rails being "creaky".

Just in case: "Roubaix" is pronounced "Roo - Bay", except with a little.. "hck" on the beginning of the "Rou".

Best advice I've got: Ride both, see if you notice a difference that's worth $300 to you. Also make sure you'd use it enough for the difference to really matter.

Speedster22

Carbon. If you're going to eventually get a carbon bike as you say, spend the money now. You won't recoup much if you sell the aluminum to scratch up enough change for the carbon later on down the road. I learned that one. Bought a aluminum road bike in May and now upgraded to an all carbon one this past month.

Once you go carbon you'll never go back!

colorado dale

You don't have a location listed. If its anywhere where there is a lot of Chip and Seal(such as Indiania) go with the Carbon