After two years of riding two different flat-bars, one of which was too small, one of which was more or less fitted after the fact, I did my due diligence and purchased a Specialized Roubaix Elite from the only bike shop in my area that was as interested in correct size and fit as me. Previous postings have further ruminations on that subject.
I shopped and surfed and read reviews and visited all the likely shops, and selected on the basis of their commitment to proper size and fitting and service and willingness to talk about what I was doing now and what my goals are. Others were found wanting.
I looked at other brands and actually had my sights set on a similar model Jamis, with the second choice a Giant. No doubt, either of those bikes would have been fine also but neither of the shops carried the models I was interested in. They were more interested in selling me something they had in stock right then, and one of them was on sale! Right now! Oh, yeah.:skep:
So I selected not on the bike brand, but on the shop and it's one of the best things I ever did. The model I bought fit my requirements. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing. I even got a decent price.
This summer, I'm riding further and harder with much more comfort and less fatigue, because the bike is the correct size and it's fitted properly. Period. I pedal more efficiently with less effort. I'm flat-out enjoying riding more. The carbon frame does make a significant difference. Is it worth the extra $$? To me, yes.:thumbsup:
One quibble: The carbon frame is overlaid with a faint crosshatch decal or applique or treatment of some kind. It looks cheesy as hell if you look at it closely, which I try not to because the decal or whatever it is has obvious seams and wrinkles. Some of them are right in plain sight right on the top of the top bar. At first, I thought the intent of the cross-hatch treatment was to mask imperfections in the surface of the carbon finish. Close examination shows the flaws are in the decal, not in the frame.
Specialized, take note. And for $2+K the brakes should be a big step up from generic bargain-barrel Tektros, too.
Anyway, what the hell. I love it!
F.
I shopped and surfed and read reviews and visited all the likely shops, and selected on the basis of their commitment to proper size and fitting and service and willingness to talk about what I was doing now and what my goals are. Others were found wanting.
I looked at other brands and actually had my sights set on a similar model Jamis, with the second choice a Giant. No doubt, either of those bikes would have been fine also but neither of the shops carried the models I was interested in. They were more interested in selling me something they had in stock right then, and one of them was on sale! Right now! Oh, yeah.:skep:
So I selected not on the bike brand, but on the shop and it's one of the best things I ever did. The model I bought fit my requirements. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing. I even got a decent price.
This summer, I'm riding further and harder with much more comfort and less fatigue, because the bike is the correct size and it's fitted properly. Period. I pedal more efficiently with less effort. I'm flat-out enjoying riding more. The carbon frame does make a significant difference. Is it worth the extra $$? To me, yes.:thumbsup:
One quibble: The carbon frame is overlaid with a faint crosshatch decal or applique or treatment of some kind. It looks cheesy as hell if you look at it closely, which I try not to because the decal or whatever it is has obvious seams and wrinkles. Some of them are right in plain sight right on the top of the top bar. At first, I thought the intent of the cross-hatch treatment was to mask imperfections in the surface of the carbon finish. Close examination shows the flaws are in the decal, not in the frame.
Specialized, take note. And for $2+K the brakes should be a big step up from generic bargain-barrel Tektros, too.
Anyway, what the hell. I love it!
F.
