Specialized Roubaix Comp Double

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Chain Wheel Drive

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
25 mile fitness ride

Summary:
2008 Roubaix Comp, carbon and red, 52cm with compact double. I am 55, 5'7" 150.
I found this bike on sale discounted from $2400 msrp. I also stumbled into a TDF special offer from Specialized. The price range of my purchase gave me $250 worth of Specialized gear so I picked up bike shorts, gloves, BG shoe insoles, and an inflator kit as a bonus. I really like the extra arch support of the BG insoles for my flat feet which have replaced the OEM soles in my Sidi's. The Specialized bike shorts ($150) have a little more comfortable chamois than my Giordana's but the waist band is a little higher and tighter.
I have been riding a 2005 Trek 1500 aluminum for 3 years. The Roubaix absorbs road irregularities with panache while maintaining exceptional directional stability and road adhesion. I used to have problems with hand numbness and that has almost completely gone away. The slightly more upright position is sooo much easier on my neck which is cranky from a whiplash injury. The Roubiax has even tamed the Grand Canyon (large road crack) which caused a bottle launching and run over episode ending in a near wipe out on the aluminum Trek. There are a couple strips of pa've on my regular route I always got out of the saddle for on the Trek, now I just ride across on the Roubaix. Amazing!
It is easier to achieve a slightly higher average speed over my 25 mile circuit because this bike fits me better. The Roubaix puts me in a position were I feel less neck, hand, and shoulder strain. I don't feel nearly as beat up and buzzed out from road vibration.
I was looking at the Tarmac and it felt slightly more responsive during test riding but the position was more stretched out and with greater drop. At my age and being a nonracer I am glad I went toward the comfort end of the scale. At the same time I feel like I have given up precious little on the performance end.
If you are dealing with any neck or back issues the Roubaix will let you enjoy high performance with less aggravation. If you are thinking of moving up from an entry level bike like I did you will be stunned at the difference. I tested a Roubaix expert also which listed for another grand more. I could feel the difference in ride between the Comp and the Expert but it was nothing compared enormous gap in ride quality between my Trek 1500 and the Roubaix Comp.
This seems to be a nice price point.

Strengths:
Carbon frame smooths the road and dampens vibration significantly.
The Specialized Toupe saddle that came with the bike is a big surprise. I became accustomed to my Terry Carbon Fly on the Trek. Even though the Toupe is the gel version 5 miles into my first ride I thought it was so hard I would change it out for the Terry Fly. By the end of the ride I couldn't tell the Toupe was there! It is firm but that keeps your tender spots from sinking into the saddle. You sit right on your sit bones which feels hard at first but you get used to it quickly. With the Terry I often felt the ridge in the cutout, not so with the Toupe. The Toupe also offers a larger range of seating positions fore and aft than the Terry. I usually spin lightly sitting forward when warming up then shift back for more power once I am warmed up and stretched out.
I ride in FL, its freaking hot, I like my two new Polar insulated water bottles and for a little bling two new Profile Design Carbon Cages.
I like the flat top handlebar. I am thinking of upgrading to a carbon bar with a flat top.
105 brakes are much more powerful and easier to modulate than the entry level junk on the Trek.

Weaknesses:
The Specialized Pro tires don't seem quite as supple as the Continental gp 4000's I put on the Trek. The 4000's were a huge upgrade in comfort, speed, and cornering for the Trek over the Bontrager Selects. When the Specialized Pros wear out I will likely put some 4000's on and won't be surprised if the ride and cornering improve some.

Similar Products Used:
2005 Trek 1500 Aluminum

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Pedal Performance

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Livingstone Lake Road

Bike Setup:
105

Summary:
Wow. Decided to retire my 9 year old Allez triple and treat myself. Smooooth and fast. Added 3 km/hr to my regular Wed. nite 20 km ride. LBS did great job with set up.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, great acceleration.

Weaknesses:
Wish I had bought it sooner.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Santa Fe

Bike Setup:
Ultegra pedals off my old bike. Still work fine.

Specialized Comp Computer--this thing is crap BTW. It goes to 30 mph and counts backwards (?!?!?), the cadence doesn't work and the thermometer is off by like 15 degrees.

Summary:
I bought the 2008 Roubaix Comp (I couldn't select 2008 above--only 2007). I have 500 miles on the bike and love it. I do centuries and my starter aluminum bike transmitted a lot of road vibration to my hands, wrists and lower back. The difference btwn my old bike and the all-carbon Rbx is night and day. A 60-mile ride that I often do across bad pavement has been tamed by the Rbx. I used to search for smooth pavement on my old bike but on the Rbx I just don't feel the vibrations and jarring that I did previously. They're gone. Period. The 58 cm Rbx weighs in at 20 lbs--a few pounds lighter than my old bike. On hills the bike climbs well and I can feel it spring fwd when I stand and when I sprint. BTW I'm 6'1", 195 lbs.

Strengths:
Smooth ride

Seems stiff and fast when sprinting or standing to climb.

Weaknesses:
I can't get used to the compact crank. May get a standard.

Not sure about the seat. May go back to my Fizik Arione which is just awesome. The stock seat is just SO hard.

I wish the bike were 2 lbs lighter. I may go with a lighter crank and ditch the 105 for Ultegra. Maybe lighter wheels in the future.

Similar Products Used:
I tested a similarly priced Felt (the F3?) but the geometry was too severe and it didn't feel as fast as the Rbx. The Madone 5.1 felt a bit faster (perhaps) and lighter but it transmitted a lot of vibration and cost $700 more. The $2000 LeMonds were not at all competitive with any of the aforementioned bikes.

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at McLain Cycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Leelanau County hills

Bike Setup:
58 cm size ( 6'1", 195 lbs rider). Bike is stock. I added Speedplay pedals.

Summary:
Finally replaced my 30+ yr old Reynolds 531 bike. Mainly wanted to get more speeds and newer shifters/components. I set out to buy an Aluminum bike at the 1000.00 price point. Once I tried a few of the new bikes, I was blown away by the changes. It didn't take long before I was looking at full carbon frames at double the cost. The Roubaix was one of the first bikes I tested. I selected it over the Tarmac primarily because of the compact double gearing. Otherwise, the two bikes share the same ride quality and level of components. So far, I have put about 400 mi on and I am very happy with my choice. I like the dual compound tires and the flattened handlebars shape. I suspect these do more for ride comfort than the "zertz" inserts in the frame.

Strengths:
Lightweight, high quality components, nice wheels and tires, silky smooth ride, good local bike shop support. I feel comfortable that Specialized has good carbon frame experience and a strong warranty. The local bike shop support is excellent.

Weaknesses:
Faint clicking noise from headset (read this in other reviews, too). Clamp-on front derailleur inter. Saddle took some getting used to. Much better after first 300 miles.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Sequoia Elite, Raleigh Comp, Trek Pilot 5.2, Specialized Tarmac, Trek 5000

Price Paid:  $2200.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Specialized Roubaix Comp (Double)

Bike Setup:
Stock - for now (until I change the seat)

Summary:
Just purchased this bike and WOW what a difference. Great bike overall. Smooth as silk! I have jsut gotten back into riding after a few years absence and I am really glad to have pruchased a more forgiving and quick bike. Great bike for people who do not want to contort their bodies in unnatural ways and for those of us who are a bit older and wiser and want to enjoy the thrill of riding for longer than 10 minutes at a time. I have tried the

Strengths:
- Smooth - vibration free ride
- Good package (Full 105 group, Mavic Open Pro, kick-*ss paint job)
- Stable ride
- Extremely comfortable (couldn't imagine a road bike oculd get this comfortable)

Weaknesses:
Seat - I might change it...

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1500, Cannondale Synapse 1 (alum), Trek Pilot 5.1, Pilot 2.1, Giant OCR 1 - have tried all the comfort bikes and the Specialized won over them...