xfimpg

I've found these two models so far. Does the ride quality of the Roubaix justify paying $1000 more?

2011 Specialized Secteur Elite Apex $1380
https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/...011&spid=52882

or

2011 Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact $2385
https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/...1637&gold_ses=

The reason I'm considering an alloy bike is the stiffness. I weigh 195 and as a masher I tend to put a lot of pressure on the bb area when I stand. Not sure if the FACT8 carbon would be able to handle that and not flex like a wet noodle, like the FACT6 carbon from previous models.

miyata man

Go for the top level Allez or get a '10 Tarmac. Cav rides a Specialized so don't tell me this is anything but you not buying suitable equipment for your needs. The two bikes you listed are not exactly tuned for ultimate BB strength at the loss of ride comfort.

xfimpg

Sorry can't, it's a fitting issue, have already been through this with the guys on here! https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...alized-Roubaix

Capecodder

In your case the Secteur will be more than enough bike. You described on the other thread exactly what your intentions are so you dod not need to spend the extra $1000.00 to enjoy the ride.

miyata man

I can sympathize with why you abandoned the other thread. I now see the issue is that you are trying to assimilate the slack angled mountain bike you grew comfortable on into a road bike. Have you looked at some of the offerings that are closer to a city bike? Road bikes work better when you can comfortably hold a more bent over position despite the fact that it is possible to set one up sitting nearly upright. I'm curious to hear what you plan to do with the bike.

ronnylee61

They are basically the same bike (geometrywise) made with different materials. The 8r carbon frame will provide a smoother ride and will be plenty stiff enough for you but is that worth the extra $1000 dollars to you? You could opt for the Secteur and spend the saved $1000 on a great set of wheels (ahem...DuraAce C24...ahem). Either bike is a good choice, just make sure to get what you will be happy with in the long term.

xfimpg

Thanks CC, and for hanging in there.

xfimpg

You've summed it up perfectly. I can ride my mountain bike w/slicks for distances of 50 miles with no back pain and not too many breaks. I'm pretty sure i can do the same with a road bike, given the right setup.
My goal for the road bike is to ride distances of 40-80 miles, maybe longer on occasion.

xfimpg

Thanks Ronny, good idea for the wheels. It's the bb stiffness that concerns me the most from the Roubaix. I tend to torque a lot on climbs by mashing, i wouldnt want to be riding a wet noodle.

ronnylee61

The Secteur also comes stock with the Apex group and cassette, which provides gears for easier climbing, which if you live in a hilly area may be very important to you.

xfimpg

Good point too. I was thinking of getting the LBS who has the Roubaix to replace the 105 derailleur and cassette with an XT and 11-32 equivalent. I'll have to deal with wider ratios on the climbs, but easier to deal with than a heart-attack.

miyata man

I hate to intrude on your gear lust but if you are perfectly comfortable riding your full suspension mtb on the road I really don't see a problem. In fact a see an elegant solution since anything else is going to beat you up more since it will lack the suspension. If you would like a more efficient ride, then a city bike with suspension fork and a suspension seatpost is the best option short of suffering along on a road bike. I'm no snob and have spent plenty of time riding my FS mtb on the road as well as nearly every other type including a proper sit up and beg Dutch style city bike. They are less brash than a road bike but ride almost better than any suspended bike. Think about it. An entire country that rides year round has to be onto something.

xfimpg

I do find it comfortable but you can't get anywhere relatively quickly. The worse is when I get a headwind, I am absolutely at a stand still.
I climbed Jay Peak (Vermont) last year and that 30 lbs weight was a killer!
The prices I quoted earlier are sales, so I wouldnt lose too much if things didnt work out.

No worries about the lust; everyone needs something to lust about. lol

bonz50

a more direct comparison, if you wanted to compare carbon to AL on these bikes would be the Roubaix Elite since they have the same component level (Apex)... local shop has the '11 roubaix apex for $1615 in 52, 54, and 61 sizes

https://kozy.com/product/11specialize...ct-75145-1.htm

svtmike

Have you considered the Secteur Comp? Brings in the carbon seatstays from the Roubaix while keeping the rest of the alloy frame. Pricewise it should slot in between the Secteur Elite and the Roubaix Comp.

xfimpg

Yes I have, I felt that the difference in price between a Secteur Comp (couldnt find a sale) and a Roubaix (on sale - see above) was negligable.

Also, there are great deals at this time of year, specifically the two I mentionned earlier.

Capecodder

No problem...... Just don't go overboard, I really do not feel you need to spend so much money for the recreational type riding you will be doing (unless you have money to burn) then have at it. For the type of riding you and I both do we would not benefit from the Roubaix over the Secteur. For that extra $1000.00 you can get a really nice set of wheels and still have money left over. Not that the stock wheels won't last for a good long time.

You must understand, most of the people telling you to go with the higher end bike are:

1) Not paying for it.

2) Do a totally different type of riding, and require top end bikes.

You wouldn't go out and buy a $500.00 baseball glove to play catch with your buddy, but you would if you played minor league ball. Once you have decided that you really like the road bike, and your 100% sure on the correct size after riding your new one for a couple of years you may or may not want something better. Let us know what you end up doing.........

Pistard

Most def, Capecoder is right on, i am in a similar situation, doubtful i will spend the extra $$ on a Roubaix, nice tarmac on the cover of Bicycle mag this month.11 thousand dollars........... got two wheels like the secteur. I would save the money also.

jmX

Uh, what? The Roubaix is a fantastic bike, and from what I could tell it's BB was as stiff as the tarmac I rode. Compliance in the Roubaix was not achieved by gimping the bottom bracket stiffness!

I do short sprints at 1200-1300watts on mine and I don't notice any flex. I think it can handle somebody 'mashing' up a mountain. Its carbon fiber from a high end company, not paper mache.

fstshrk

Get the $2000 (MSRP) Roubaix with the new 10 speed Tiagra. Same frame (SL2) as the others, and the new 10 speed Tiagra drivetrain is very good with the same ergonomics as the higher-end component groups (e.g. no sora thumb shifter there) and the same brake pull ratio. I bet you can get it at 15% discount (I did) and then you are looking at an SL2 bike for $1700.00.

Later on you can ditch the wheels (which are actually quite good DT SWISS) and get an Ultegra crankset. Weight savings is roughly 2.5 lbs which will get you a 17 lb bike for around $2300.00.

Plus the black matte design just looks good.

xfimpg

Just returned from a visit to an LBS that had a Secteur and Roubaix in stock, same bikes as I posted above.

The salesperson, who's been there a long time as i've dealt with him before, wanted to know why I wanted to test the bb flex out. After explaining that the previous Roubaix I owned would flex like crazy when I would stand on it, he said he disagreed with me that they don't flex because his boss/owner weighs 275lbs and has been riding Roubaix's for years and they never flexed on him. He them proceeded to tell me that the frame I had was defective.

I then gave him a look of "I'm running out of patience" and he proceeded to install the pedals. Having flexed both bikes, and making sure it wasn't the wheelset flexing, the Secteur is slightly stiffer but not by much. They are very close.

He did weigh the Secteur and it weighs 18 pounds, before pedals. I find that pretty light for an aluminum bike. So I guess now it will come down to budget and desirability; now there's a paradox.

So that's where I am... two steps away from the funny farm!
Actually the Secteur is the way I'm leaning, it makes sense and it jives with what some of you wrote earlier about riding objectives and style. Still fun to shop, though.

contango 

True, although Holland isn't known for its hills.

fstshrk

How heavy are you exactly?

I can't get the bottom bracket on my 2012 roubaix to flex even in full stomp mode while sprinting or climbing.

xfimpg

The flexy Roubaix i was referring to is a 2007 model, with FACT6 carbon. I weigh 192lbs.

Grasschopper

Ok I had the 6r Roubaix from 2006...see photo:



I was around 220 lbs when I rode that bike and here is my take. The BB doesn't flex...BB flex will result in chain rub on the FD when otherwise it wouldn't be rubbing. But what I did notice, and why I sold the bike, was it seemed like your power just went into the frame some place. Stand up and mash and it felt like mush...but the BB wasn't flexing laterally. I believe what was happening was that the rear triangle was flexing vertically it shock absorption was turning into power absorption.

I haven't ridden the 8r SL2 frames but the 10r SL3 frames for sure are a whole different beast than my old 6r Roubaix (this was pre SLanything). Personally if I could afford the carbon I would get the carbon...but I wouldn't get either without test riding.