markman

I am looking for some opinions on upgrading to a Specialized Roubaix. I switched from runner to road cyclist in 2003. I do lots of club rides and centuries but I don't do any organized racing, nor do I plan on starting. Even though I don't race the club I ride with can set a pretty decent pace and I like to push myself. I bought a new 2004 Allez Elite in Sept of '03 and have about 5000 miles on it so far. I plan on riding 2500-4000 miles a year going forward. Overall I like the Allez but I keep wondering if it really is the "best" bike for me considering the type of riding I do now and would like to do in the future. The new Roubaix seems like it might be a good alternative and might offer a little higher comfort level while not giving up much in performance.

Does anyone have any direct comparisons between the Allez and Roubaix that might be helpful?

Thanks

fblum

I think the Allez Elite is a fine bike- I ride an Allez Cro-Mo Comp and i just love it. Are you having any problems? As long as the bike is a good fit (I highly recommend a pro fit at least once-that's something that could make a big difference in your riding) it is great for what you are doing. You could spend a lot more and not get a much better performimg bike. Now I agree these bikes are not high on the snob scale- but finishing way ahead of those much more e xpensive bikes eases that problem a bit.
I noticed you do many longer rides and there are certainly some more comfortable bikes out there for extended rides-the fast Allez geometry may not make an ideal century machine. You might want to look at a more relaxed geometry bike. In fact i am actually having a custom touring bike made for just that reason (the only reason i am going custom is my somewhat odd personal geometry) I know that Bianchi makes a real nice long ride/touring bike (in steel!) and there are many others.

skydive69

Give up any speed? I bet the Roubaix would kick the Allez's butt with the same power applied to the pedals. I have had my Roubaix Pro up to 37 mph on the flats, and hammer in comfort with the "A" group on club rides. You test ride one of those babies, and you will be having it setup for you by the LBS! Having said that, the Allez is a great ride, and a friend of mine very successfully raced his until he upgraded to a Tarmac.

FarHorizon

If you're not racing, the Roubaix will be a FAR more comfortable ride than the Allez. It will also steer more predictably and be less "twitchy" when you hit stones, potholes, and other road obstructions. I dream of a Roubaix, and plan to buy one once I'm at a weight where the Roubaix's wheels will support me. I'd prefer disc brakes, and maybe the Roubaix will offer some by the time I'm ready to buy.

Ride the Roubaix - I bet you'll buy one!

1955

What skydive69 said. My old
Allez is 15 or 20 years old so I'm not sure it compares but I have an '04' Roubaix Pro and it is great for long distance rides. Very smooth and a joy to ride. Don't test ride one if you don't plan on buying it right then and there like I did.

cjbruin

IMO you guys that think a Roubaix is a faster bike than an Allez are high!!! Even on Specialized's website they classify the Roubaix as "Endurance Road" vs. "Competitive Road" for the Allez. So what the heck are you talking about?

The Allez are designed as race bikes and therefore it should follow will be faster than the "more comfortable" Roubaix. I ride a 2003 Allez Pro with a compact geometry. It is fast...I also rode it in the Tour de Palm Springs Century and did not have any comfort problems...most likely because it is a good fit.

markman...unless you have a bad fit, I think you'd be wasting your money to buy a new Roubaix to replace a 2003 Allez.

howling.fantods

It's a pretty different ride, due to the different geometries. More stable and solid-feeling with the base model roubaix, in my short test ride comparison against the allez elite. I can't think of any reason why one would go faster than another on a flat straightaway, since they both felt solid and efficient, but the allez is a crit-style bike with quicker or twitchier steering. The roubaix was designed with the paris-roubaix race in mind, which is apparently pretty much flat but over rough pave.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...ed_roubaix_pro

Now if you're talking about upgrading from an allez elite to a roubaix pro.... Or maybe even a S-Works Roubaix Campagnolo Record, for the low low price of $7100.99.....

https://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...po5vfvd.j27002

slider

I'm sure that the promotional material created by the marketing department has a lot to do with how well the bike will perform.

"I was about to pass him and then I realized I was on an 'Endurance Road' bike and he was on a 'Competitve Road' bike so I had no chance."

The full carbon Roubaix is used by pro teams in the Giro, Paris Roubaix and probably other races. How many teams race the Allez Elite?

[on edit] This is not to imply that one bike is faster than the other just that one is not necessarily slower than the other either.

-s

cjbruin

I see...and you would know better about the bike's performance than their marketing department? They don't just make the stuff up.

Do you really think that he was talking about buying a full carbon Roubaix and that he needed advice about that vs. his Allez Elite? Using that logic, are you implying that no one rides a top-of-the-line Allez?

Your argument has nothing to do with the original question. How about staying focused and relevant?

markman

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

It sounds like the Roubaix could be a more comfortable ride for the average century than the Allez without really affecting my ability to "hammer" with the group. Like I said, I don't plan on racing any time soon. One thing that has bothered me a little about the Allez is the "twitchiness" which the Roubaix might not have. I plan on taking a test ride soon to see what the Roubaix is like. If I like it at least I'll know what I need to do in order to afford it!

smoothleg

I bought a 04 Allez comp, love it, I'm a big guy and a rigid frame is my friend.

Ride them, see what you like, if you're more comfortable, you'll ride more, then you'll be faster.

Heck, who needs a reason to buy a new toy anyway.

shokhead

Roubaix but if you think your going to do some sort of racing,go look at the Tarmac Pro.

slider

Actually they do. I work for a bike shop that sells both and have ridden both. I've also had the pleasure of doing SBCU (Specialized Bike Company University) where they tell you what "riding experience" each bike is designed for. The riding experiences are just a simple way of describing the intended use of the bike without going into details of geometry, butting and carbon layup. It certainly doesn't mean that a "competition road" bike is any faster than an endurance road bike. It may mean that the geometry of one makes it turn quicker and that the geometry of the other will be more comfortable on long rides. It may also mean that they needed to differentiate between the products in the catalog so as not to confuse the buyer and came up with a new riding experience.

Not sure what logic you are referring to nor how it can be extended to support your statement. Yes people ride "top-of-the-line Allez".

I'm sorry I thought this was an online discussion forum. If there was that requirement, half the posts would be disallowed :-). More observant readers may have surmised that my intention was to imply that, for the most part, it is the rider that makes a bike faster, not the bike. Even though bike companies would like to tell you otherwise.

-s

skydive69

Great points Slider, and methinks you have the credentials to back up what you have to say. Good point regarding the engine. I must meekly report that I have had my Specialized Elite (very relaxed geometry and considerably heavier than my Roubaix Pro) up to a faster, on the flats speed. BTW, got that heavy Elite up to over 37 mph - not to slow for a very relaxed, heavy "cruiser." I would conclude that one could race any bike as long as it is equipped with a strong engine.

howling.fantods

this is kind of a silly argument. what makes one bike faster (in terms of speed, not handling) as opposed to another? i'm no expert, but it seems to me it's mostly about stiffness (no lost energy), good biomechanics (fit), aerodynamics maybe, and weight (acceleration and efficiency in climbs).

It's not like the diff between the sequoia and the allez, where sequoia adds some comfort gear that reduces stiffness and adds weight, like suspension seatposts and such.

a roubaix and an allez differs in geometry for handling and fit differences and that's about it. There's an added bit of carbon in the rear triangle for the aluminum roubaix that might impact stiffness, although I didn't feel it. there's the zertz inserts that's designed to reduce road buzz but doesn't add noticeable weight or decrease stiffness (like I'd think actual suspension devices to) or aerodynamics. there's a bit of extra weight with the gel inserts under the bar tape, but it's not like you can't get rid of that easily enough. Roubaixs are designed so that you can get a more upright position more easily, but nothing forces you to keep the spacer stacks and higher angles -- look at the way the pros have their roubaix setup, it's pretty different than mine.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?.../dominaroubaix

They seem to be compeitive enough with the aerodynamic positions they're able to achieve with these frames.

mostly the difference is just in the added wheelbase and lax headtube angle for more relaxed handling. relaxed handling doesn't affect at all how fast you can go, only how little effort it takes to point your bike in a new direction.

At least, this has been my n00b-ass experience and understanding of the differences.

skydive69

Interesting post howling. That's the first time I have seen a picture of a pro on a Roubaix. Totally off the subject, I notice that he has his skewer lock parallel to the ground rather than parallel to the fork as has been recommended to me. I wonder what the best positioning is for front and rear skewer locks?

shokhead

Dont think one way is much better then the other,of course there is the cool factor.

SJK

I don’t own a Specialized but I have ridden a couple of them. My impression or understanding has always been that the Roubaix is considered more a “race-worthy” frame even though it was originally designed as a comfort geometry type of bike. Pro teams would not be using the Roubaix if the Allez were faster. However for most of us faster won’t matter as we aren’t competitive racers anyway. All said, I believe the Roubaix would be a more comfortable distance type of frame.

slider

I never put the quick release in line with the fork. A quick release must be closed all the way to be safe. "All the way" means past the hard part of the cam till it get's a little bit easier. If you don't do this there is the possibility that it will work loose. Depending on your quick release and fork it may not close all the way before contacting the fork leg when put in line with the fork.

Plus it makes it hard to undo when it is snug against the leg.

-s

shokhead

That has nothing to do with it. Its all about the cool factor,come on now,making sense shouldnt have a role in this.

skydive69

Good point, I just came from the bike shop for a derailleur tweaking, and asked the question of on of the best bicycle mechanics in the area. Basically he said the same thing you did.