2009 Specialized Roubaix Comp and sizing question
 

Hi there,

I'm looking to purchase a road bike and while visiting my LBS, he had a 54" 2009 Roubaix Comp that I immediately gravitated to. I'm 5' 11.5" tall and weigh 265 lbs. My question is the following: Is this bike too small to even consider?

Thanks.
Nick

I am 5'10" and ride a 54, depending on the proportions of your body you might be able to fit on one with the correct stem length, I would guess that most people your height average a little bigger of a bike but for each person it will be different.

According to the bike shop, I don't have very long legs and that my upper body is pretty proportional to my lower body. He also said that he thought that the bike was too small for me, but we could try to make it fit.

I have the same in a 2010....I am 5'9.5". I was told I have long legs like the shop owner, I went with a 56 fyi.

I am 5' 8-1/2" with normal proportions and ride a Roubaix 54 with a short stem, 80mm. I wanted the taller head tube and the fit is perfect. If you can, go to another bike store and that sells Specalized and talk to them about what they would put you on and why. Just don't tell them about the first shop.

Greg

I'm 5'9" and ride a 54cm Roubaix with a 110mm stem.
I think you need a 56 or bigger. Why should they squeeze you into a frame that's to small?

Just so you know, Specialized says that the Roubaix is designed and tested for loads up to 100 kg (220 lbs.) Several people in the Clydes forum are heavier and haven't had problems, but you may at least need to make some modifications over the stock build (perhaps more robust rims for example.)

I'm 6'1" and 270. I'm riding a 58cm 2010 Roubaix Elite. When I was first fitted on a bike about 25 years ago, I was told that I have short legs for my height and a longer than "normal" torso and arms. I appreciate the stretch of the longer top tube.

Charles

Where did you find this information about the designed and tested load for the Roubaix? Can you provide me with a link? Thanks!

This was pointed out in a thread on the Clyde forum, and I had the same question as you...here's the answer:

From the Specialized Bikes Owner's Manual, page 35:

"All adult adult Specialized Bicycles are designed and tested for a maximum combined rider /cargo /bike weight of 100Kg.
Please visit the OWNER’s manual section of our website (www.specialized.com/tech) for Intended Use Categories and model-specific maximum weights . In some cases weight limits are higher than 100Kg."

Specialized 2009 Owners Manual

If you go the website for further info, you can get model-specific weight limits here:

http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...10_AppA_r2.pdf

This quote may be more interesting:

"Road and mountain bikes with carbon frames have a STRUCTURAL weight limit of 275lb / 125kg. If carbon components (e.g. handlebars,
seat posts, stems, etc) are present, then the weight limit is 240lb / 109kg. IMPORTANT: Road bike braking limits do not change
regardless of carbon or alloy components."

Charles

Here is some of the different information that I received from different bike shops:

1) Store #1: Cannondale CADD9-5 and Synapse 5
Without measuring me using an inseam measuring device, the guy eyeballed me and said either 54" or 56". After hopping on a 56" CADD9-5, he said that a 54" would be better. When I got onto a 54" Synapse 5, he said that was the right size.

2) Store #2: Trek 2.3
At this store, they actually used an inseam measuring device and they said that a 54" bike would be too small because of my overall height (5' 11.5")and weight (265 lbs). They recommended the 56". They even did a quick fitting on the Trek 2.3 and I did feel good on it.

3) Store #3: Specialized Secteur and Synapse 5
Again, the store did not check my inseam length, but after telling the guy about my height and weight, he said that he would recommend either a 56" or possibly a 58". He would only only after we did a real fitting.

4) Store #4: Felt Z85
The guy checked my inseam length and after consulting some binder, he said that I would require a 54".

5) Store #5: Specialized Roubaix Comp
This is the guy who said that the 54" is too small but we can try to set it up to work for me.

I'm at a loss here since I'm getting different information. The Synapse, Roubaix, Felt Z85 and Trek 2.3 are pretty much the same geometry (I think).

Any more suggestions?

Much appreciated.
Nick

Thanks, Charles!

Nick

Yes, that's really useful info; thanks!

Ok, according to the pdf in Charles' link above, I'd be ok on a Secteur weight-wise, but about 25 lbs too heavy for the Roubaix Comp. Damn, I really like that Roubaix...

And after taking the time to read the addendum linked above, here's what I've found most interesting...of course, I urge anyone planning on purchasing a Specialized road bike to read the manual BEFOREHAND.

The following bikes are considered by Specialized to be "HIGH-PERFORMANCE ROAD" bikes:

Allez, Amira, Dolce, Langster, Roll, Roubaix, Ruby, Secteur, Tarmac, and Transition.

As such, the following apply:

"Condition: Bikes designed for riding on a paved surface where the tires do not lose ground contact"
"Intended: To be ridden on paved roads only"
"Not Intended: For off-road, cyclocross, or touring with racks or panniers"
"Trade-off: Material use is optimized to deliver both light weight and specific performance. You must understand
that (1) these types of bikes are intended to give an aggressive racer or competitive cyclist a performance advantage
over a relatively short product life, (2) a less aggressive rider will enjoy longer frame life, (3) you are choosing light weight
(shorter frame life) over more frame weight and a longer frame life, (4) you are choosing light weight over more dent
resistant or rugged frames that weigh more. All frames that are very light need frequent inspection. These frames are
likely to be damaged or broken in a crash. They are not designed to take abuse or be a rugged workhorse. See also Appendix B."

If you look up the Roubaix in the tables, you find that the carbon bikes (all but the base model Roubaix for 2010) have a structural weight limit (rider AND cargo) of 240 lbs. What's a little more interesting is that the weight limit for meeting the braking standards is 200 lbs. for a Roubaix equipped with Shimano brakes and 240 lbs. for a Roubaix equipped with Tektro brakes! Is that somehow implying that the Tektro brakes stop better than the Shimano?

Additionally, there is the following Note:

"NOTE 1 - WARNING: For riders weighing over 200 lb/91kg, the equipped brake pads must be replaced with Specialized Roval All Condition Brake Pads or Shimano M50T (Part #Y8BC98100) Wet Weather Brake Pads to meet EN 14781 wet braking safety standards. Once replaced the RIDER WEIGHT LIMIT and TOTAL WEIGHT LIMIT are 240 lb/109kg and 260 lb/118kg respectively."

Again, I'd suggest you take the time to read for yourself...and if I've interpreted any of this incorrectly, please let me know!

Charles