Price Paid:  $1100.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To Fairfax and back

Bike Setup:
Stock, except a seat.

Summary:
I've had the Roubaix for almost a year, over 1,500 miles and it still performs like a champ. Now that I'm a stronger rider, I really like how it handles and how I'm able to grow with the bike. I rented a Cannondale for a week while on vacation and it's a nice bike, but no Roubaix.

Strengths:
I hated hills on my old bike, now I love them w/my granny gears. Flats are amazing too. I can really pull away on the flats. Best component is the Zertz!

Weaknesses:
Some of the components are very entry level. They do the job but I may upgrade in the future.

Similar Products Used:
Old Schwinn, Cannondale Synapse (for a week)

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Toronto Bike Show

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Around Toronto

Summary:
Purchased the bike for 1400 w/pedals and shoes to boot from the Bicycle Show and got a good deal in Canada given that Tax is included. For those of you who don't know, tax here WAS 15%! First time I rode it, I fell in love with it ;) This coming from an MTB guy to road.

Strengths:
Good geometry (of course everyone's a bit different). Good overall setup and group (105s pretty much) minus the wheels and crankset. Had a FSA Gossamer (SP) installed on it instead.

Weaknesses:
Crappy wheelset! Alex Rims 400 series are dead heavy. They've held up for about 5-600 km now and once they break, i'm getting kysiriums instead.

Similar Products Used:
first road bike.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Roy's Sheepshead Cyc

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Navesink River Road NJ

Bike Setup:
105 Ultegra mix Look pedals Wonderful Michelin Tires

Summary:
I have a 2004 model but for some reason thats not an option here. In any event... This bike is amazing! I ride about 45 miles at a time with guys who have custom made Sevens. I keep up no problem. There is Carbon Everywhere! Fork, Seat post, Seat stays, Headset. This is really a great bang for the buck.

Strengths:
Carbon fused onto the aluminum frame everywhere! Awesome comfort level. Also Quick for a "comfotable road bike" I replaced the Saddle with the Toupe and it's amazing. The newer than 2004 ones come with Alias saddles and shouldnt need to be replaced.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy. But not really

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000 (doesnt come close).

Price Paid:  $2516.00 at Mikes Bikes Sacramen

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Specialized Roubaix Expert Triple

Bike Setup:
Stock: Shimano Ultegra wheels, brakes and derailers. FSA crank, headset down a notch from stock. Continental 4000 wheels.

Summary:
Until I purchased the Roubaix, I had been loging in my miles on a 1992 Miele Lupa, a solid, though weighty ride by todays standards. Since I purchased the Roubaix I have completed 4 Centuries including the Marin ride and finished the Tour De Tahoe in a relaxed 6 hours.
I've logged 1395 miles, so I have a good idea how it handles.

Strengths:
On the road it's smooth and a real pleasure. I love the fit, a bit more upright as I have had several back issues. It climbs well and I can excellerate quickly on it, and it's beautiful to look at. For the weekend rider it might be fine, however...

Weaknesses:
On every decent that approaches 41 mph, it starts to get wobbly. If the pavement gets rough there seems the possibility one could loose control of it. At 43mph it starts to shake very unpleasantly.
I have had my Lupa at near 50mph on more than a few occasion on rough road and I was never affraid of the bike. I question the stability of this particular model. I have contacted Specialized about this and hope for some resolution. I lack confidence in it.

Similar Products Used:
Miele Lupa, Trek 7500.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at The Bike Route

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Tiburon Loop

Bike Setup:
Roubaix with Ultegra SL rear derailleur and Ultegra drivetrain with 105 shifters (which will be upgraded eventually), Ultegra hubs laced on some Mavic rims

Summary:
At first, I thought the triple was great.. until I realized I only used it a few times in the first 700 miles I've been riding it. I switched to a double 53-39 Ultegra crank after 1000 miles.
Good thing Specialized has a compact crank version of this bike for the 2008.

The bike climbs great, handles really good on fast descents and my compulsive sprinting on flat roads.

First thing I replaced after I bought the bike was the brakes, they hold up but they get squishy.
Comes with decent parts but for the price, it should come with better wheels. I had to true the wheels every after ride, then i got fed up I bought some Ultegra/Mavic wheels.

Tires had mini cracks between the sidewall and the rubber compound of the bike after 900 miles.

Replaced my carbon seatpost with a Thomson, ironically the aluminum seatpost weighed less. I don't know about the 'Zertz' thing but I think its a gimmick. It felt the same.

I personally picked this bike over the Allez because I thought I would do more long-distance rides opposed to short, but boy was I wrong. I ended up doing more short rides but in a quick pace and it makes me want a little bit snappier bike (like the Allez).

Strengths:
Pretty stiff, comfortable, and relaxed geometry. Holds up on sprints (but not quite as quick with shorter wheelbase bikes). The handlebars are awfully comfortable. Seat is so-so.

Weaknesses:
The wheels are weak, weak, weak. Triples are the only option when I bought mine, at least anyone looking at this has a choice between a compact and a triple.

Similar Products Used:
De Rosa with full Dura Ace, Specialized Allez Comp