08 SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX ELITE - $2399 GOOD DEAL? URGENT!!!

[mohicanmate]

HELP ME PLEASE! IS THIS A GOOD DEAL.
I WANT IT< BUT I DON"T WANT TO RUSH INTO IT<
BUT IT"S DEFINITELY THE LAST ONE IN STORE AND IT IS MY SIZE!
HELP!


08 SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX ELITE

FRAME Specialized FACT 6r carbon, triple monocoque construction, compact design, Zertz inserts
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK Specialized FACT monocoque carbon fork, full carbon legs, crown and steerer w/ Zertz inserts
HEADSET Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, cartridge sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM Specialized Comp-Set, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable
HANDLEBARS Specialized Zertz Comp, 6061 alloy, Zertz damper, short-reach drop, ergonomic top shaping, 31.8mm
TAPE/GRIPS Body Geometry Bar Phat, Soft-Touch cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE FREEWHEEL SRAM OG-1070, 10-speed 11-28t
CHAIN Shimano 105, 10-speed
CRANKSET FSA Gossamer MegaExo, 2-piece crankset
CHAINRINGS 50x34T
BOTTOM BRACKET FSA MegaExo, integrated exterior cartridge bearings, alloy
PEDALS Composite body test ride pedals
RIMS Mavic Open Sport, double wall rim, machined sidewalls w/ eyelets
FRONT HUB Specialized forged alloy, 24 hole, double sealed bearings, straight pull spokes, QR
REAR HUB Specialized forged alloy, 28 hole, double sealed bearings, straight pull spokes, cassette, QR
SPOKES Stainless 14g, straight-pull
FRONT TIRE Specialized Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE Specialized Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI, Flak Jacket
TUBES Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE Specialized Avatar, microfiber cover, gel padding, Cr-Mo Rails
SEAT POST Specialized Pavé, FACT carbon w/ Zertz insert, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, alloy, 32.6mm clamp
NOTES Chain stay protector, chain catcher, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual

[munga]

I THINK YOU SHOULD BUY IT.

[MichaelB]

HELP ME PLEASE! IS THIS A GOOD DEAL.
I WANT IT< BUT I DON"T WANT TO RUSH INTO IT<
BUT IT"S DEFINITELY THE LAST ONE IN STORE AND IT IS MY SIZE!
HELP!

Um, don't want to rush, but need answer urgent ......

Obviously you like it, have access to sufficient funds, theoritically it is the right size...

Have you test ridden it ?

How much of a saving is it ? Quick web search shows it is about $600 off RRP.

Personally wouldn't get it (they can't even spell "Specialised") - the gearing is setup for hill climbing, it has been specc'd down with no-name brakes, cheap wheels, and cheap cranks.

Mindyou, the colour scheme is not bad

[mohicanmate]

I havn't test ridden it yet.

I finish work at 5:30 pm so i am gonna go over and get a fit.

But this bike does look nice, however what is the most definite
thing that puts you off this bike.

It's $600 Off.

What alternative, do you think really competes with this bike at
the price?
I would never really go over the $2500 mark for my price range.

Appreciate your comments , i am a new cyclist so
i am not to hot at spec spotting. So any further advice would really help

[wayno]

Tarmac is supposed to be more suitable for ... tarmac

Don't rush, the searching part is fun. Other options are:

- Giant TCR C2 or Alliance
- Scott CR1
- Trek ?
- Avanti Something ?

Look, Test, Discuss ..... repeat this numerous times

[stryker84]

Aside: is the Roubaix supposedly a more relaxed fit or something, compared to an all out racer in Tarmac? What's the main difference?

[MichaelB]

But this bike does look nice, however what is the most definite
thing that puts you off this bike.

It's $600 Off.

What alternative, do you think really competes with this bike at
the price?
I would never really go over the $2500 mark for my price range.

Personally wouldn't get it (they can't even spell "Specialised")

There are MANY more bikes out there to look at an try. Yes it is a good price, but it depends on what you want to do with it, whether you can REALLY afford it, are you serious about riding ?, how many others have you looked at etc.....

Ebay is full of high level bikes that have been ridden once/few times becuase people rused in and spent money without being serious.

You can spend less and still get a very good bike (2007 models if some are left) that will last you for a long time and work just as well.

And don't forget all of the associated clobber like helmet, jersey, knicks, tubes, pump, lights etc. All ads up pretty quick.

It won't be the last bike on special either.

[vovo]

And don't forget all of the associated clobber like helmet, jersey, knicks, tubes, pump, lights etc. All ads up pretty quick.

I can Attest to this.

Initial budget $1k, probable initial setup spending $2.5k

[mohicanmate]

Thanks - keep it coming.

I am starting to calm down now!

[wayno]

Aside: is the Roubaix supposedly a more relaxed fit or something, compared to an all out racer in Tarmac? What's the main difference?

Not a Specialized expert but Roubaix has those Zertz shock absorbers on forks, seat stays and post. I guess it offers more vertical compliance (like shock absorbers)

I'm not sure about geometry.

[CB]

sounds like a good deal! go for it

[zozza]

Calm down a bit more! Don't rush it.....have some fun buying the bike!!

[Parrott]

In my opinion the zertz inserts sound like a sales gimmic, bordering on embarassing. The compact groupset does not allow you to push a big enough gear. If you ever take up racing you will be dropped with a 50 chainring. Don't rule out racing, it's great fun

[Parrott]

Have just seen 52t compact on pbk so maybe not such an issue.

[thomas_cho]

In my opinion the zertz inserts sound like a sales gimmic, bordering on embarassing. The compact groupset does not allow you to push a big enough gear. If you ever take up racing you will be dropped with a 50 chainring. Don't rule out racing, it's great fun

Never been in a race, but a 50/11 at 90rpm will get you going at about 51.5 km/h , 53/11 at 90 rpm = 54km/h

They are just theorectical calcs.

[Parrott]

You're right it's closer than I thought, however when you are struggling that extra cadence can be hard to hold. I have a 53/11 and I must admit I haven't run out of gearing however I have used it in a sprint and in the bunch with a tail wind. Most of us non Robbie McKewans might survive with a compact, none in our club that I know of though.

[lukas]

Good deal in my humble opinion.

I'm a specialized Tarmac (elite) rider, which was similarly spec'd to the Roubaix you describe (have since upgraded a fair bit). It's given me no problems.

As others have mentioned, you might want to think about that gearing. It just depends on what tyoe of riding you want to do. With compact up front and a 28t cog you could just about climb anything, but you're sacrificing a bit when it comes to the big gears. I had the 11-28 cassette originally combined with a standard double up front and was pretty comfortable on that no matter what the hill.

Good luck!

[vitualis]

In my opinion the zertz inserts sound like a sales gimmic, bordering on embarassing.

Have you actually ridden one?

I've owned and used a Specialized post with the zertz insert and it certainly absorbed vibration better than any other post I've used. Mind you, depending on your frame, it might not make much of a difference but on the old alloy road bike that was really harsh, it really smoothed out the back end of the bike.

If you read reviews for the Specialized bikes with this technology, they are generally described as VERY smooth riding; perhaps to the degree that some people find unpleasant.

Regards.

[Parrott]

In my opinion the zertz inserts sound like a sales gimmic, bordering on embarassing.

Have you actually ridden one?

I've owned and used a Specialized post with the zertz insert and it certainly absorbed vibration better than any other post I've used. Mind you, depending on your frame, it might not make much of a difference but on the old alloy road bike that was really harsh, it really smoothed out the back end of the bike.

If you read reviews for the Specialized bikes with this technology, they are generally described as VERY smooth riding; perhaps to the degree that some people find unpleasant.

Regards.

No I haven't. My intention was to throw up a few negatives for Mohican mate to ponder as it seemed he had the red mist down on purchasing this bike. Perhaps a little crudely worded after a couple of red wines.

However, I remain unconvinced as to the merits of the zertz inserts. Is the increased damping due to flex at the weak point created where they are inserted? Did the seatpost work better than a well designed seat post with appropriate wall thickness, my cf seat post is pretty good at dampening vibrations also. There are plenty of bike reviews lauding the vibration dampening characteristics of cf framed bikes without zertz inserts...

[sogood]

If you ever take up racing you will be dropped with a 50 chainring.

That's rubbish! 50/11 is plenty for most (higher gearing than 53/12). There are not that many people who can push 53/11 out there nor are there many situations where the 53/11 is required. On the other hand, CT setup would offer an advantage for those climbs where 53 riders may have to take a walk.

[sogood]

I've owned and used a Specialized post with the zertz insert and it certainly absorbed vibration better than any other post I've used.

Were you comparing apples to apples? No confounding factors? Zertz insert is only advertised to filter out highish frequency vibrations, I am surprised that your bum can actually sense it. May I suggest that the difference was more due to the better design in the CF than the presence of Zertz insert?

[Bnej]

If you ever take up racing you will be dropped with a 50 chainring.

That's rubbish! 50/11 is plenty for most (higher gearing than 53/12).

I know I don't spin out 50/12 until about 55km/h. Around 40-45km/h, which is about as fast as I can go on the flat, I am generally switching around through the top few gears to keep my cadence even.

If you're going to be in sprints over 60km/h then higher gearing might help.

[vitualis]

I've owned and used a Specialized post with the zertz insert and it certainly absorbed vibration better than any other post I've used.

Were you comparing apples to apples? No confounding factors? Zertz insert is only advertised to filter out highish frequency vibrations, I am surprised that your bum can actually sense it. May I suggest that the difference was more due to the better design in the CF than the presence of Zertz insert?

Possibly.

However, there are literally dozens of reviews on the Specialized parts and frames that suggest that they really are very good at absorbing vibration, certainly better than any other commonly available analogues. As I wrote before, some people actually don't like how a Specialized frame actually rides because of it. Whether it's the zertz or not, who knows. They don't make similar CF parts with holes but no elastomer. Be that as it may, IMHO, Specialized does the whole vibration reduction thing better than any other brand.

Regards.

[wayno]

Specialized does the whole vibration reduction thing better than any other brand.

Cervelo R3 set the standard with vertical compliance. Ridley, Canyon and Scott have followed suit

[Parrott]

If you ever take up racing you will be dropped with a 50 chainring.

That's rubbish! 50/11 is plenty for most (higher gearing than 53/12). There are not that many people who can push 53/11 out there nor are there many situations where the 53/11 is required. On the other hand, CT setup would offer an advantage for those climbs where 53 riders may have to take a walk.

Refer to my later post stating I didn't realise the gearing was so close. Most of our roads are flat in Mildura and it is quite windy. There are times (admittedly not that frequent ) when there are long stretches with the wind behind you and the bunch can push 60k. Pretty hard to keep spinning when you are feeling the pinch.