Considering either a 58cm Specialized allez (apex) or the Fuji Roubaix 1.3... I can get the Apex for $1100 and the Fuji for $1000 through a local shop.
The guy at the shop was pushing the Fuji, he said the 13' allez's aren't what they used to be and are overpriced. The components are better on the 1.3, but the frame may not be as solid as the specialized from what I've heard. I'm not sure if he's pushing the Fuji for a certain reason or if he actually is looking out for my best interest.

Anyone care to drop a line w/ their thoughts?

Greatly appreciated, thanks for the help in advance!

Fuji Roubaix are great, underrated, frames. Fuji bikes are usually great values. Having said that, i am sure a lot of people will not buy the comment re. the Allez - both solid bikes in my book.

Go with the one that looks he best. Don't wast time wringing your hands and stressing over what someone said about such-and-such frame. There really isn't much difference between brands within the same price range. Just get the bike that looks the best to you...that's the one you are going to want to ride.

"frame may not be as solid..."

I haven't any idea what this means. If you can explain this, probably someone here can advise you.

Fuji:

-105 shifters, rear der, f der, cassette, brakeset
-Oval crankset (rebadged FSA, probably gossamer)

Specialized:

-Apex shifters, f der, rear der
-Shimano Tiagra cassette
-FSA gossamer crankset
-Axis dc 1.0 brakeset....never heard of them, dont know who makes them.

the fuji will have better quality shifting purely due to the matching of the drivetrain.

i would go with the fuji.

Better components, less price = no brainer IMHO. Specialized makes fine bikes, but Fuji owners are not complaining either. Spend the $1000 nd get the Fuji

Some bikes you pay a premium for the name on the side. The Fuji looks like the better deal, unless you have your heart set on a Specialized.

I think that Axis is Spesh's in-house brand.

Not sure what he means by the Allez frames "aren't what they used to be" (perhaps that the E5 frame is now only used on higher priced Allez models).

I would go with what fits you best and meets your taste such as color and look.

My first real road bike I bought in May 2011 was a Fuji SL1 Comp. It was a bit small for me but I put about 6k miles on it and it was rock solid except for the wheels but you can't expect a lot in that price range if you put a lot of miles on a bike and weigh like I do around 180-185.

I upgraded to a specialized roubaix sl3 in May of 2012 and have about 6k miles on it. I'm much better on that bike but it cost more and I'm a lot better than I was 20 months ago.

To me, both brands are good but I do think you get a little better value with the Fuji. Buy one and get to riding ;-)

I can't speak for the Specialized but as a former mechanic for a Fuji dealer I can say the Fuji is a definitely a solid frame. In my opinion, a a very nice, comfortable geometry and awesome bang for buck. We sold more Fuji Roubaix than any other model road bike.

The Allez is a quicker handling geometry than the Roubaix, (as in Allez = crit racer, Roubaix = more balanced geo). But What I'd really go off of between these two is weather you like the SRAM shifters or Shimano 105. Otherwise, they both have the same great quality and frames that would deserve up to Ultegra or Force components. At the prices you're listing, they're both a decent price. Usually you'd be looking at $1300 instead of 1100 or 1000 for those bikes.

Allez:

chainstay (58cm): 40.7
rake: 45
stack: 606
headtube:205
wheelbase: 1003
bb drop: 67.5

Roubaix:

chainstay (L; 58cm): 41.0
rake: 45
stack: 581
headtube:180
wheelbase: 1000
bb drop: 69



isnt the higher bb drop of the Fuji more conducive to crits because it allows for more pedaling through corners?

also, do you know what the trail is for both bikes?

-The lower BB drop actually makes the bike more confident in taking a sharp turn (lower center of gravity). There is a benefit of having one high enough to pedal through a turn of course.

-The rake is only a factor in determining the 'effective HT degree'. The stem length and handlebars are factors in this as well. But the Roubaix and Allez have the same HT degree and rake.

-The chainstay on the Allez may only be .3cm shorter, but this is a measurement that makes a huge change in the balance of weight.

-Headtube length has nothing to do with the handling of the bike, unless you would like your stem lower than the head tube. (Or the HT is way too short, and the HT isn't stiff enough). But considering the Allez has more stack than the Roubaix, you'd have to be fitted for a time trial position to wish the Allez had an 18cm HT.

-The wheelbase is a big factor in handling, but they're essentially the same.

-One measurement you didn't list was the reach, and for the positioning/fitting of a bike, it's a MAJOR factor. The Allez is not only longer in the effective TT, but also longer in the reach. It is far more aggressive on the body's position.

I'm not saying the Roubaix is an endurance bike, but it is designed with a smoother handling and maneuvering, as the Allez is leaning towards the F1 racer. The Allez has the same exact geometry as the Tarmac.

Personally, I'd prefer the Roubaix in geometry. The fastest and sharpest turning bikes are fun at first, but after mile 30 on a century...

As of tonight's after-work ride, I have 15,773 miles on my Fuji Newest 3.0, which is a cheaper model than the one you're considering. It has the original Sora drive train and the original Alex wheels. The Fuji was my point of entry into modern-day road cycling. I have since bought a carbon fiber bike, but I'm glad I kept the Fuji. I ride it regularly. It's a bit like the Energizer Bunny. It just keeps going and going...

First thing first, you are welcome

Now, this one is easy. Close your eyes and imagine yourself riding a shiny, slick new bike through town during rush hour. The pedestrians are wowed, the miserable drivers look with longing and a fellow commuter nods approvingly. Now one thing is missing in this picture: a decal on your downtude. Would you want it to say this:


or this?


Yeah thought so. Case closed.

The dealer prolly has a higher profit margin on the Fuji is my guess. I walked into a Specialized dealer recently who also carries Fuji and got the same story. I wanted to talk about a Venge or Tarmac and he immediately started pushing Fuji on me. Specialized being the company it is would prolly pull the line if they heard about this.

Fuji. Specialized are a bit more $$$ Fuji is generally a better value and the Fuji's look better:-)


Edit: can you tell I want a Fuji?

wont the trail have a greater effect on fast response than chainstay length? thats why i was interested if you know the trail.

hmmmm....nah.
:-)

I would agree that you should make the decision on which shifters fit you better. You won't be able to tell the difference between the levels of Apex v. 105, and both will do their job just fine. Personally, SRAM shifters fit me better than Shimano so I would be sold on the Allez. And the business of "you'll want to upgrade to a higher level of components right away if you get Apex" is bull. Maybe you will, maybe you won't. But at least get something that works for your hands.

Go read the "carbon frame warranty question". It will be a cold day in hell that I ever buy anything Fuji. I know how Spec handles these issues and it is night and day.

agreed. apex is an EXCELLENT value for the $$. i disagree with abstract on the mixed group = lesser quality shifting. the only thing that ~might~ affect shifting is the cassette, and I'd have to see some definitive proof that this is an issue.

I have the 2011 Specialized Allez and the 2005/6 Fuji Team LE (predecessor of the modern day Roubaix). Both are wonderful bike and I like them both. The Allez is a bit more agressive and quicker handling but the Fuji is smoother and a bit more comfortable on the long ride.

Apex IS great for the cost. It actually has the same mechanical design as Force and rival. The only difference is the materials and bearings used, and Apex doesn't use 'cheap' ones.

Problem is we don't know the whole story here. My concern is, around here anyway, Fuji is sold through the Big Box store (Scheels). Not that they aren't a real bike shop... oh wait, they aren't.