Specialized Roubaix Elite Triple

Price Paid:  $0.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
all no wind ones

Bike Setup:
all that came with the bike,no need to change anything

Summary:
what can i say that is not ready told,i love this bike,not allways that fun to go to work:)but this bike makes the day:)sorry i cant help out more about details,maybe i will switch the 105 to sram someday,but that is mostley because im curios about sram,and if i win the lottery i will go for more expensive shimano wheels,the frame is worth it.

Strengths:
very smoth ride:)relaxed geometry.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
italian steel-trek1500

Price Paid:  $1550.00 at Wheat Ridge Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any

Summary:
I just love this bike. I'm not an expert nor have I ridden a lot of the "current technology" bikes. I bought this to replace my 1988 Trek 400 steel beast. Riding the Roubaix is just astounding. It's so smooth and handles so well. Bumps don't loosen my teeth like the old Trek did.

Strengths:
Handling. The best way I can describe this is that it's like riding on rails.

Weaknesses:
People complain about the wheels. The bike overall is such an improvement for me I can't implicate the wheels per se, however I have been looking at replacing them. Stock tires were pretty crappy. I had a major blowout at about 1300 miles.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bob's Bikes - B'ham

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Bike Setup:
Neuvation R28 w ceramic bearings
Mavic SSC brakes
Record triple front
Record rear, soon to be Centaur (for rebuild of Record)
Brooks Swift saddle

Summary:
Said I would shut up at third review, but I think potential buyers may find some value in a 5000-mile report, since this frame now shows on sale on eBay.

Now that this bike is very personalized for me, I can tell you that the stock frame and seatpost are still outstandingly comfortable. It is true that I changed out most everything else, but I am a Campy man, and the Mavic brakes were just a good and far less expensive than Campy. I am an old hard butt, so the newer saddles are not for me, even with the weight savings, but I thought that the Avatar and Alias were fine, if you like that sort of saddle. I am a big fan of Neuvation products, and the stock wheels were the first thing to go. Remember, I am NOT commenting on stock on ay model newer than 2005.

This is a great riding bike, I use a rack trunk because I commute to work, but even with the trunk it is sprightly and easy to maintain. Plenty of little chips in the clear coat, but the subdued color scheme has held up well.

This is one of the few bikes still sold with a triple as a feature, and though I did not buy mine as a triple, I put my review here because I ride it as a triple. I may go back to a compact double in the future, there are truly a lot of crossings and duplications with the triple and finding long cage derailleurs may become in the future, since triples are barely hanging in the marketplace, but if you are looking for a comfortable bike to eat up the miles and not get beat up, this is a wonderful bike, and the newer models should be investigated if you cannot find one of the older frames or are not comfortable with anything not brand spanking new.

Strengths:
Very comfortable and responsive

Weaknesses:
Most stock parts did not suit me, but they were fine for the price paid.

Similar Products Used:
Not applicable for this review

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Sonoma Cyclery, Sono

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
Stock set up. The only thing I've changed is the seat, because I wanted a woman's for more comfort.

Summary:
Overall I love this bike! I couldn't be happier to be able to say "I am Specialized!" This bike was the perfect fit for my riding style. I've had 4 surgeries on my shoulder, so the more upright position that I'm in is so comfortable. Having an all carbon frame is a dream and the bike handles great.

Strengths:
Super comfortable riding position. The handle bar stem can be adjusted into 4 different positions. Shimano 105 components shift smoothly and easily.

Weaknesses:
Not to sure of the brakes on the hills. Unfortunately can't race down very many of the hills around here and I'm not feeling it as far as stopping quickly with these brakes. They will be the first thing I replace.

Similar Products Used:
I can't even begin to compare my old bike to the Roubaix, it is so far superior.

Price Paid:  $1475.00 at Wheel Away

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Lake De Valle

Bike Setup:
Bontrager wheelset Racelite
Shimano 105 brakes, shifters, crankset
Carbon seatpost
Specialized Zertz roadbars

Summary:
Bought the bike for my wife since she was getting into road riding and training for a 65 mile ride. She came off a mountain bike so naturally the bike will feel light. Also we had a certain pricepoint which we stayed in.

Strengths:
Carbon frame, Shimano 105 parts, color design, saddle and seatpost.

Weaknesses:
WHEELSET! The mavic open sport rims are tanks. Bought my wife the new Bontrager RaceLite wheelset and she said she gained 3 to 4 mph.

Similar Products Used:
none