Roubaix Comp or Expert? maybe the SL Dura-ace?
 

So, I know spring is many months away and ive got a long winter ahead. Im planning my spring time purchase.

Ive been ridding a 1998 Bianchi Campione in a 61 cm size frame which is wayyy too big for me.


Im looking at specialized because that's what the shop I goto carries and the more i read into them the more I like their bikes.

Coming off of my Old junker which is a fine bike =) should I be concerned with components? Sadly the reason for wanting the Comp, is the Team Carbon Red color scheme where as the Expert, Only has the White paint scheme.

Sadly Thats what im basing my decision on. Should I be more concerned with the components? Or is the difference between Ultegra SL and Shimano 105 ?


this is going to be a long duration bike for me, And I plan on riding it for many many years to come. So Im open on the wallet here as A good investment requires a quality product that that costs money.

Should I just jump upto the Roubaix Pro SL Dura-Ace which has the Red carbon color scheme I like and say F it and go big?

A good investment now = a long term investment for the future. You might as well go big now. If having a better color scheme means that your will ride it more, go for it!

FYI: I bought a tarmac 3 weeks ago and love it.

If you're able to do this financially, I say do it if you're into cycling enough that you're sure you'll actually want to ride it in a year.

I'd also suggest looking at other shops' brands if the one you go to only carries Specialized, especially if color is a big selling point to you.

The white/carbon SL is HOT. The Expert isn't bad. The SL is a much better ride than the Comp frame (at least the old S-works SL which is marginally better by Specialized's quality scale (9r vs 10r)). You won't have a bad time with the Comp, but if you test the Expert/SL, you might not want to go back ;). It looks like the Expert is using the same frame as the Pro SL. So between those two, you're basically paying for some DA 7900 over Ultegra SL as well as better paint schemes.

Personally, I was never sure why the Roubaix Comp was worth $500 more than the Roubaix Elite. The Expert, on the other hand, is a damn sweet bike! Recommend you buy the Pro frameset, add SRAM Red components, and a decent set of wheels. I'm sure the more expensive bikes are nice, but unless you're a highly-competitive bicycle racer already you probably don't need an $8500 bike...

I had the same choice last sping and went with the Expert. Love it and the Ultegra SL package is fine for me. I am not at all sure I would spend $8500 and limit my search to Specialized!

Blasphemy.

The SL2 is $8500. The OP was talking about the $5500 Pro SL. SRAM Red on the SL is only $5000.

Yeah the Pro SL Is looking pretty hot, and Considering I dont know the difference between the Components it might end up being my pick. I suppose I have the entire winter to research and come up with the best possible informed decision.

;)
I say go for it..