BKSams

Jay, from one Roubaix owner to another, great bike and enjoy your rides

Long Tom

I was able to take mine out for a 35-miler today... whole lotta climbing... I really love this bike!

Jay68442

Nice! I can't wait for some decent weather so I can start racking up some miles on this bike. I was out of town this weekend when the weather was nice and I returned to cold rain.

Jay68442

Thanks, you too

Long Tom

It's gotta be just killing you, Jay.

Mine wasn't even supposed to arrive until roughly now, but it came in way early.

It really shines on the uphills and downhills, where the stiffness is very obvious (and appreciated). The seat is way more minimalist than my other bike and is actually less comfortable; after 30 miles or so I I notice it. So long stretches of flats aren't as awesome (yet) on this bike for me.

I do notice, on those flats, that the frame soaks up a ton of road buzz.

Jay68442

You're correct Tom, it's killing me. If the bike wasn't brand new I would be out in the rain. Just can bring myself to take it out in the cold rain and then have to clean it. I'm happy to hear that you are loving your new bike. Enjoy! I love my old roubaix which is on the lower end so I can only imagine how much I am going to love this bike. I have it next to me in my office and look at it all day long.There may even be some drool on it. lol

lsberrios1 

I agree with you on those observations. The bike is properly quick. Very stiff yet absorbs all the bumps and road irregularities. I do have to say that while it is very stiff, due to the nature of the design and what it was built for, it is not "THE STIFFEST". For what it is I think it is the perfect all around frame set for almost every recreational rider. It is comfortable, fast and fairly agile.

You are right about it not being as fast on the flats. The bike feels somewhat sluggish but most of it is the absorption of bumps. However it also has to do with the aero drag that a more upright position creates. The wheels that come with the bike aren't great and the frame design is actually not very aero either. That is the only place where I believe the Roubaix falls short (not by much). It is not as quick or explosive when instant power is applied as other lighter stiffer frames, but then again you sacrifice a little bit of that for comfort which to many is more important.

Mine has been modified to what I believe is a good setup. Wheels being the nicest of upgrades. I rate the bike as follows, although I am not even close to being an expert but I always like to judge and compare

Comfort: 10/10
Stiffness: 8/10
Explosiveness: 8/10
Weight: 8/10 (mine is 17.04#s with pedals)
Handling: 8/10 (mine has 100mm stem which makes it pretty responsive)
Looks: 9/10
Aero: 6/10

What I think of other bikes

BMC TMR01

Comfort: 6/10
Stiffness: 10/10
Weight: 7/10
Handling: 8/10
explosiveness: 9/10 (due to how stiff it was, you need strong arms to keep up with your legs!)
Looks: 10/10 (subjective)
Aero: 9/10

Venge S Works

Comfort: 8/10
Stiffness: 8.5/10
Weight: 9/10
Explosiveness: 8/10
Handling: 9/10
Looks: 9.5/10
Aero: 8/10

Giant TCR Advanced SL (might be biased here)

Comfort: 8/10
Stiffness: 9.5/10
Weight: 9.5/10
Explosiveness: 9.5 / 10
Handling: 9 / 10
Looks: 7.5 /10
Aero: 8/10

Specialized seem to be fairly compliant and they move well.

zvez

Luis,
I think some of the speed differential is in the gearing, the venge has a 53/39. the Roubaix a 50/34. Even my limited ability my Cervelo R5 52/36 is a good bit faster, maybe a couple miles an hour on descents than my Roubaix.

Dunbar

The S-Works SL4 Roubaix is the third stiffest frame Velonews ever tested as of May 2013. My Roubaix SL4 Expert was TOO stiff with a standard carbon seat post. I had to put a CG-R post on it to get an acceptable ride. As far as aerodynamics of the rider that boils down to rider position and you can get an aggressive position on a Roubaix by sizing down like the pros do. I could easily get 10cm worth of drop on my 54cm frame if I wanted to. I'm sure the endurance geometry makes it feel less snappy/twitchy but I just can't buy that Roubaix's are any slower in a straight line than race bikes.

Long Tom

I should, in the name of Science, try my other seatpost on my SL4 10r Roubaix. I'd be curious. WITH the CG-R it's a nice ride; my frame of reference is limited in that regard since I just don't have much experience on road bikes. Seems comfortable (not harsh) to ME, but..

The stiffness is pretty remarkable. Whereas my Spec Sequoia or the KHS 500 Flite that I rented over Xmas are very noticeably noodly both front and rear, my Roubaix is STIFF. I love the feeling of power in = power out, and on descent it tracks like its on the proverbial rail.

lsberrios1 

You have a good point, I do however think it is the positioning. In the end it is not really the bike but how the rider positions itself on the bike.. at least in my case.

While I cant argue with Velonews saying the Roubaix is VERY stiff, I have a hard time believing it would be any stiffer than any of those I mentioned. Most of my critique is very subjective but believe me, on the BMC and the Giant it is extremely obvious how stiff they are. I am not talking about a shaky ride, no, I am torsional.

doggie1227

Hello Jay 68442,

I was wondering if you still own the 2013 Roubaix SL4 Expert with the disc brakes. I have the chance to obtain one of these bikes used and wanted to know your impressions so far.


Thank you, doggie1227

Jay68442

I still own it and I still love this bike. I have no complaints at all. Super smooth on the road, comfortable and fast. Every time I ride it I come home and say "I love this bike". I don't think you will be disappointed.

doggie1227

I don't know how many miles on this bike, but the person is asking 1600. which I think could be had for around 1200.00