Price Paid:  $2500.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
BP MS150 Houston to Austin

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix Expert Compact Rival
FSA KForce Light Carbon Stem
FSA KForce Light Shallow Drop Carbon Handlebars
FSA KForce Light Carbon Seatpost
FSA Ceramic Bearing Derailleur Pulleys
Enduro Ceramic Wheel Bearings
Enduro Ceramic Bottom Bracket Bearings
Continental 4000S Grand Prix Tires

Summary:
Getting there fast AND refreshed no matter your distance. Specialized redefined the "plush" category with this ride.

Strengths:
Fast AND comfortable with a stable ride.

Weaknesses:
Bike is a lot better than I am.
I admit that I am the weakness with this bike.

Similar Products Used:
1989 Schwinn Tempo

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at Bikeminded

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
blue mountains NSW Australia

Summary:
What a lovely bike! I ride on fairly rough roads and the carbon frame with its zertz inserts just smooth out the high frequency road chatter beautifully.The ultegra running gear is smooth and reliable.The bikes relaxed geometry ensures an easy, comfortable ride

Strengths:
light weight.
easy geometry.
ultegra gear.
Great looks.

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Peddler in Memphis

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Long

Bike Setup:
Roubaix w/ full SRAM Rival gruppo. Upgraded to Mavic Ksyrium SLs (amazing wheelset!)

Summary:
This bike is simply fantastic.
I read a LOT of reviews and spoke to every bike shop and wrench in town before making up my mind. I test rode a considerable handful of other bikes before pulling the trigger on this one, but I am glad that I took my time because I am completely convinced that this is truly "Best in Class", and in many ways the ONLY one in its class.

I prefer long rides - 45+ miles mostly and I do metric centuries and centuries (is that right? 100 milers) as often as I can. This bike gets me through everything ready to ride again the next day.

I recommend purchasing high in the product line on the Roubaix. I believe that the Expert is the best spot - you get the top of the line frame (they do differ a little bit up and down the product line) with the second best carbon offering and the fantastic SRAM Rival group. The 'dogbone' seat stays and fork look really cool and seem to improve the ride quality. I upgraded the wheels at the time of purchase. Not because I really needed to, but because I knew I would want to do it soon. The ride is simply amazing. I can keep up with everyone in town, and I feel fresh at the end of the rides.

Strengths:
FAST and COMFORTABLE. Those two do not have to be contradictory at all.
The SRAM Rival gruppo is amazing. Lighter and more reliable than Ultegra.

Weaknesses:
I had a problem with one of the bottle cage bosses - it was defective and was spinning free in the seat tube, but it was fixed perfectly by my lbs (Peddler in Memphis)

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Tomac, Trek Madone, Orbea Orca, Litespeed, Pinarello, Look, Cervelo, Giant