I've been test riding bikes, looking for a comfortable ride for my 63 y.o. body. Want to start riding for pleasure and exercise, not performance.

Really liked the Specialized SL3 Roubaix Expert but it's quite a bit of money. Are there any recommendations for a comparable ride that would be in the $2k range?

Well that is the bike to buy young man...as an owner of the SL3 Roubaix Pro...hands down the best road bike I have ever owned.
That said, if less of a performance bias...be careful you may get the bug and start to ride big miles ...seek out the base carbon Roubaix model with Shimano 105. All the bike you need really. The SL3 is simply more of a racier version...and a bit stiffer which you may or may not prefer.
For under $2K there is the Secteur which is effectively an aluminum Roubaix which btw is an excellent bike as well. If you ride terrible roads however I would steer more toward the base Roubaix.
Have fun.
PS: The Roubaix btw is much more than the ride quality. The SL3 is in fact a bit on the stiff side for ride. It is about how the bike handles, power transmission and most important your riding position on the bike. To me, this bike has no peers and I have ridden most of its competition.

ALWAYS buy the bike you like. If its the sl3 fork out the $$$, its a very nice ride.

I've owned the entire 2011 roubaix line, curently the s-works. The base sl2 felt more slughish to me, i guess thats because the sl3 is stiffer. Without boubt id recomend the sl3, very comfortable and super responsive.
buy what you want.

I'd recommend a cross bike -- e.g. Specialized Tricross, Kona "Jake the Snake," Surly Cross-Check.

Cross bikes are comfortable and versatile. They can take wide tires and fenders, so that gives you a little room to go cushier as you get older. It shouldn't be too difficult to set one up either aggressively or more upright. Handling will be a little different, but nothing you can't get used to.

There's also a 50+ subforum, those whippersnappers may be able to make some additional suggestions based on their experiences.

If he's looking for a cheaper version of the SL3 why would you recommend a cyclecross?

i agree with the choice of buying the cheaper version of the bike.

There are lots of similar bikes to look at. My suggestion is find a LBS that impresses you with their knowledgae and seek their advice. That's much better than the advice you get here from people that can't see you, your build, and ask questions about your style and goals.

The Roubaix is an "endurance" comfort bike. What makes it that way is relatively tall head tube, less steep seat and and head angles, and long chainstays which makes for a longer wheelbase. That equates to a relaxed, comfort style ride for crusing. The alternative characterists of a shorter head tube, steeper angles, and shorter stays gives you more of a quicker "sports car" ride.

Take your time, get to know the characteristics of the bike you test ride, and you'll soon feel the difference. One word of caution - tire width and wheels also make a difference so ask about those as well. Generally wider tires (25mm feel more plush) and box rim wheels feel more comfortable that stiffer taller rims.

What a bunch of baloney. I have a Cat 2 buddy who races his. Cancellara has won going away on Roubaix on tour. I ride with all kind of guys on slammed so called race bikes I can drop. I have stayed with a number of Cat 1's on mine. I don't cruise generally. The Roubaix SL3 is as stiff as any race bike. The riding position can be adjusted up or down...most average riders prefer up because they don't have world class flexibility...the OP is in his 60's.

I agree- I just traded my Secteur Sport for a Roubaix Elite with the new 105 groupset. I am 57 y.o., and it's a nice ride. :-)

I ride an SL2. Doesn't feel "sluggish" to me at all. I also like the externally routed cables in the SL2. Roubaix SL4 is going to be out in September. So just wait and buy an SL3 when the SL4 comes out.

By all means the sl2 is a great bike... But, when i rode the sl3 the power transfer difference was notisably more.

1+ Waiting for the trickle down would be a good idea.

I really like my Scott CR1 - take a test ride and compare to the Roubaix.

Perhaps cruising wasn't the right word but you are taking out of context what I said with it an "endurace comfort bike"

From Specialized's website

I own the bike Stan and ride with a lot of fast guys. If you put the 10 fastest guys on this forum on a Roubaix SL3 they would still be the 10 fastest guys. No the Roubaix isn't a first choice as a crit bike but that isn't what the OP or average road bike rider is seeking.

SHV...since you have owned an aluminum Secteur and now the carbon fiber Roubaix perhaps you could provide a comparison.

+1.

Felt Z6/Z5 are also an option.

My bike shop tricked me

I rented both the Roubaix (SL3) and Tarmac (SL3) to test them out, considering which to buy. Only when it came time to buy, after having ridden the SL3, I just couldn't bear to not buy one. Sure the SL2 with 105's is probably a great bike (I never rode one). But after looking through the specs, along with Ultegra, the carbon in the frame of the SL3 was a better quality than the SL2.

So I ended up buying a Tarmac SL3, and I don't ever regret it. Yea it was more money then I initially wanted to spend. But I'm hoping the bike will last me several years.

A friend of mine has a 2011 SL3 Pro Roubaix on ZIPP 404's. That bike is by far the most comfortable, smoothest, and quietest bike I have ever been on. It is absolutely amazing and I love it.
I love it so much in fact that next year I will be buying a trickle down SL3 OR just splurging and going for the SL4.

Get the Roubaix....I wish I had!

If there's no hurry to get it for this season, check for sales in Nov-Dec. I got a year-end deal on a Specialized TriCross (~$1100 value) for $600 a couple years ago. If they want to move it, a $3500 SL3 (either Roubaix or Tarmac) would probably go down to around $2800, maybe less.

I just bought a Specialized SL3 Roubaix Expert about a month ago and it is awesome. I agree with Campag4life that the ride is smooth and fast. This bike feels really fast compared to the Specialized Allez elite that I owned before.

Infact, I am still surprised at how fast it feels. I think it because its so light and the power transfer is amazing due to the stiffness. It is also the most comfortable bike I've ridden.

Right now Specialized has its 'Tour' promotion on and you get $600 worth of equipment including new tires, tubes, co2 carts, bottle cages, a nice duffle bag and the kicker - an S-Works helmet.

https://specialized.ca/tdf/

I just received my package in the mail and I'm psyched. The helmet is great ( I chose one for my wife to match her bike) but what a deal and the duffle bag is very nice.

I paid $3000.00 for mine a month ago and got the tour deal package included as well (see post above)

If you wait until Aug/Sept yes the new ones will drive the price down but theres no guarantee they'll still have stock. Of course the SL3 will probably be next years 'comp' model with Ultegra/105 mix for less than it is now as the Expert will be SL4.

Look at the Roubaix Comp or elite if you want a cheaper version compared to the SL3.

https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bik...aixcompcompact
https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bik...ixelitecompact

1) Most cross bikes have very similar ride characteristics to "endurance road" bikes. I.e. comfortable, not quite as aggressive as a standard road bike, etc.
2) The OP is 63, so his needs may change soon. Since a cross bike is more versatile (e.g. it can handle wider tires), it's a good option.

I pretty much said that in my post, by the way.

There are several downsides to a cross bike for regular road riding - one is they come with wider knobby tires which is less than perfect on the roads and another is the brakes don't stop nearly as well as road brakes. Tires are easy to change but brakes not so easy or cheap.

A cyclocross is okay for such things as riding trails or commuting but not a single purpose bike

OP stated he wants to ride for exercise and pleasure. The roubaix is relaxed and perhaps a viable race bike for someone who is racing, but he's obviously not a racer. If he wants a more upright and casual road bike. Then a cyclo or light touring bike would be fine for much less money. Who needs carbon if you aren't racing? Get steel. Am I missing something here?

I'm pretty sure replacing a bike's tires with slicks is A LOT cheaper than buying the Roubaix

I guess you need to decide what it is about the SL3 that you like. Once you have that figured out, you can look at other bikes that are similar.