Bike Setup: Stock Setup: full Shimano 105, though the Compact Double 50/34 crank is a "generic" Shimano identical to the 105. The bike itself is full carbon with zerts inserts and the newer s-shaped seat stays.
Summary: First, this review is for a 2009 Compact Double.
Second, you should know that I am 6'7" and weigh in at about 230 pounds, age 33. I hadn't ridden a bike much at all for 15 years when I started bike occasionally commuting on my late 80s mountain bike last year. So, I was out to improve my efficiency and enjoyment of riding by upgrading to a road bike.
This bike and the Wilier (also full carbon) both exhibited the fantastic road-smoothing feel of a full carbon bike, and I think I would have been happy with either one. I found the Wilier at the first bike shop I went to, and just wasn't ready to spend $2k+ on a bike yet.
The Trek models, and the Allez all felt squishy when I stood up and started cranking to get up to speed. Virtually all of them felt twitchy, and I could even feel the wheels flexing under me on the Treks.
The Trek 2.3 and Allez both would have been sufficient if I was more concerned about price and willing to feel every vibration in the road. However, the more I test rode these bikes (and others)...the more I realized a huge difference in power on the full carbon bikes.
In the end, I chose to spend more for a setup that had sufficient components that I wasn't concerned about them and a frame that absorbed the constant bump and vibration of my 11 mile commute.
A few specific choices involved:
1) Components. I rode several bikes with Sora or Tiagra shifters, and the amount of play in the shifters before they engaged was just ridiculous. Once I test rode Sora, Tiagra and 105 back-to-back, I lost faith in the Sora and Tiagra components.
2) Power transfer. I have a fair bit of leverage and weight to throw into some pedal-mashing, and when I threw it into the full carbon bikes...they flew. I could literally feel the bike leap with each pedal stroke. On the other bikes, I could feel the frame (or even wheels) flex and drain the power before it got turned into speed.
3) Vibration damping. It's just no contest. Going to portions of carbon, and adding zerts (on the allez) definitely help. Going full carbon takes yet another leap in ride comfort. In this case, you absolutely get what you pay for.
4) Fit. I was concerned about being able to fit on a 61cm bike. I searched for over a month to find 63cm+ bikes to ride, and had to "settle" for riding 61 and 62 sizes.
Ultimately, I ended up on a 61, and it's just fine. I'm not past maximum extension for the seat or seat post, and the Roubaix just feels like a natural extension of me when I ride.
If you're a larger rider like me, the absolute best advice I can give you is to deal with a Local Bike Shop instead of a big chain. They'll spend more time helping you fit the bike for test rides and you'll then be able to truly judge the differences. The big chains will raise and lower the seat, but don't expect much more.
One final note. I did pass up a previous-year closeout on a 64cm Roubaix Expert because I didn't like the service at the shop that had it, and the 61cm Elite was $500 less (even after the 64 was on closeout!) and the fit works.
Weaknesses: I don't have enough experience to claim any.
Similar Products Used: I rode: Trek 1.5(64cm) & 2.3(64cm), Wilier Mortirolo(61cm), Specialized Allez (61cm), and several others that were not memorable for various reasons
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Bike Setup: Stock, so far.
Sometimes I do consider upgrading my shifters and possibly some of the other components...
Summary: This is for the 2008 Specialized Roubaix Elite Compact.
I love this bike, it's comfortable enough that I can ride on consecutive days with no problem... yet is plenty stiff, light and handles very well.
I bought this bike to get myself back into biking after many years away. I wanted something more on the "comfort" side of the spectrum, but that wouldn't be a compromise.
The frame is quite stiff, but very forgiving. It is surprisingly comfortable over bumps and potholes. Apparently the carbon frame and "Zertz" technology are the real deal.
This is a fantastic bike for someone like me, getting back into riding, or maybe even beginners who want a good bike, not a "beginners bike".
I haven't done any "light offroading" with it yet, but having been a mtn biker in a previous life, feel confident that this will handle it w/ no problems.
I have a lot of hills where I ride and sometimes find myself wishing I had a triple crankset- but I just need to ride more and get stronger.
The components are fine for this level of bike, but I am considering some upgrades. Fortunately the frame is good enough to justify the expense.
Maybe the best thing about this bike is that it's made road riding so enjoyable that I want to ride it as often as possible!
Strengths: Excellent bike for the price. The frame is amazing. The components are a good compromise of performance vs price.
Weaknesses: None, really, although probably doesn't have that snobby cache' that many roadies seem to aspire to...
Similar Products Used: None.
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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
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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.
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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
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