Opinions Wanted Please
 

I'm in the market for a new bike to replace my 2010 Raleigh Sport. I've got about 1700 miles on it and I'm ready to upgrade to something better.
Right now my #1 choice is a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Elite SL2 Apex. I was wondering what you guys thought about that model? My LBS (which also sponsors our club) is a pretty big Specialized dealer (and Felt) and I'm definitely going to buy the bike there. Right now it's on sale for $1,799. Thoughts on price?
I'm 6'3", 250lbs. They said that there would be no problem at all with my weight on the carbon, that I may just want to get a stronger rear wheel. It's got a Mavic CXP(I think) 22. That's what I have on my bike now and it holds up pretty well. I think it'll do for now, especially since I'm losing weight.
Also, are there any Felt bikes in that price range that I should consider? I rode an Allez today with the same components so I could see how the Apex rode (they didn't have the Roubaix in my size assembled) and I liked it a lot. Just polling those more knowledgeable than myself for some input. Thanks in advance.

Trek has there summer sale, I'd look into a trek madone! If I remember correctly its at the same price if not cheaper. If I were spending that much I would not be satisfied with apex. Isn't that sram's entry level? $1800 range you have several options. If thats the bike you want then go for it, its a great bike but personally I would want at least Sram Rival components. Thats a good price though, doesn't that retail for $2000+?

since your asking for our opinions, I dislike the look of the roubaix. I dislike most bikes where the top tube curves down to the seat post. That being said, my opinions of how the bike looks has nothing to do with how the bike rides or feels.

That Roubaix with Apex, by all accounts, is a pretty great bike at a very competitive price-point. I just went through the same process recently, with the same basic starting point as you: already with a decent enough bike with a couple thousand miles on it, and getting the itch to move up to something better.

A $2000 budget gets your into an excellent range of bikes: 10 speed, full carbon, excellent bikes. The Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix are both great bikes in the Elite trim, the SL2 frame is no slouch and Apex is great kit: Apex gives all the same functionality as Rival and Force, it just weighs a bit more. But functionally, it's pretty much identical. Ride the Tarmac too if you can, I was surprised how much I liked it when I rode it back-to-back with the Roubaix. I was expecting to like the Roubaix a lot more for long, comfortable rides, and the Tarmac honestly surprised me, I liked it better with the same wheels and kit all around. If you like the bike and you like the shop, you can't go wrong with the Roubaix or Tarmac.

My older bike also has the Specialized CXP-22 rims with generic hubs, they've held up very well to me. I started riding them at ~250 as well, and they've been fine.

Depending on how long you're willing to wait, you MAY be able to get an even better deal pretty soon, as the 2012 line-up may be out soon. Of course you risk not being able to get a left-over 2011 in your size or in the trim-level you want, and you miss out on all the riding you could be doing in the meantime as well. I'm sure they'll have a similar bike at a similar price-point next year as well. The 2012 paint jobs will be different too, which could be better or worse for you.

$1800 is a fine price for the Roubaix, my local shop sells them at 1900+tax all the time with the APEX trim level. If you can be patient, you may be able to score a great deal in the near future. If you're not patient, that's fine too, you can't go wrong.

Thanks guys. The MSRP on the bike is $2,100. I have to wait at least a month before the wife will let me pull the trigger. I'm on the fence of whether or not to just wait until the 2012s come out and get one of them, or wait and see if it goes on sale even more once they're out. I figure the size might be on my side, because there aren't too many people looking for that big of a bike. I don't know.
Are the 2012s available to look at anywhere? I saw on their site they had some 2012s, but I don't remember seeing any road bikes in there.

roubaix is serious fugly
that's my opinion

What don't you like about it? Just curious.

Also: I'm looking at pedals for the bike. On my current bike I have Shimano SPSL PD-R540s. Are there any other pedal brands compatible with those cleats? If not I guess I'll just get another pair. I thought about stepping up to the 105s, but the difference is only 5 grams. Not worth the difference in $$ in my opinion.

I can give you a little Felt vs Specialized info. The shop I loiter at carries these two as well, and I have ridden a bunch of them on the trainer and on short test rides. Felts tend to be a little cheaper than a comparable Specialized, but your $1800 for a carbon Roubaix is better than anything I have seen.

The Felt Z series are the more relaxed geometry versions, similar to Roubaix. On the road, the Z5 & 6 were spritely on a nice steep hill, but cranking on them on a computerized trainer they were noodley. Frame is same on both of those, but the 6 uses Microshift parts to lower the price vs. 105 ($1600 vs $2k)

The Felt F series are really snappy, racier geometry like the Tarmac. The 2011 F3, 4, & 5 all use the same frame, so if you spend bucks between them you get component upgrades. The frame is very stiff, and I got the best output wattages for a given exertion on the Felt F's and Tarmac.

Hope this helps, or at least doesn't muddy the water. I am personally internally wrestling over the F5, after riding the 4 Felts and two Specializeds. Have clearance from the War Department, but feel like going carbon is disloyal to my aluminum stable.

the "zertz" inserts, the downward sloping top tube, the over-formed headtube, the seatstays, the chainstays, the paint job, and pretty much everything about it. mostly i hate the "zertz." but don't let that sway your opinion, i pretty much hate all full carbon bikes.

You shouldn't upgrade the current bike until you have at least 10K miles on it. You have not done enough to deserve an upgrade.

Maybe I'll put 10k on this one.

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with the bike you have. A new one isn't going to make you any faster; training is what does that.

Are you his wife?:lol:

Looks are just a preference. Some will like it, some won't.

The Apex is a great group and the Roubaix is a nice riding frame. It could be raced or enjoyed on longer endurance rides.

Great bike. The price is pretty standard for the time of year.

If you have an LBS you like and trust, give them the business. I wouldn't be giving that up to ride a Madone just to justify another posters purchase.;)

SRAM's "entry level" does not equate to Shimanos entry level. It compares closely to 105.

Umm, doesn't the Madone have a down sloping top tube?

I have that very same bike and model.
I love this bike. I marvel at how smooth it rides each time I get on it.
Make sure the size fits and I think you will never look back.
The LBS's price is pretty good too.

My current bike is an entry level, shimano 2300, aluminum forked, heavy ride. I got it because at the time there was no way in hell my wife was going to let me spend over a grand on a bike when i wasn't sure how much I was really going to enjoy it. Sine then I've really gotten into riding. While I still enjoy it I would like to move up to something with better components and at least a carbon fork. I figure if I'm going to spend close to $1500 for a nice aluminum frame bike might as well spend a few hundred more and go carbon fiber so I won't want to upgrade again as soon. My current bike will then become my bad weather bike and my tinkering bike, so I can learn how to do all of my own maintenance without worrying about putting my primmary bike out of commission until I can get to the LBS and pay them to fix it.
Thanks guys for your replys. I'm really looking forward to picking up this bike in the near future. I was thinking about the Tarmac too, but I think the Roubiax would be a little more comfortable and better suited for the type of riding I do.