thebluedog said:
I'm contemplating an entry level Madone or Roubaix (due to price). I realize that both have a different geometry and will ride differently. I've only been able to test ride a Madone. Overall impression was good to neutral. I haven't been able to test ride a Roubaix due to availability in a larger size. I only hear positive things about the Roubaix's....seems everybody loves 'em.
I'm using the bike for longer rides and don't intend to compete.
Why should I choose a Roubaix?
Thanks for your input!
H
I rode both before I chose the Roubaix. Here was my reasoning.
A) the Madone had a wierd issue. The front end felt like a "regular" carbon bike when you hit hard edges. The rear did exactly what they said with the seat mast, it added comfort. So when the rear hit the same hard edge it wasn't a uniform feeling...kinda like...thud...cush, thud...cush. Not a game breaker but wierd.
B) the Madone front end definitely wanted to turn. It wasn't twitchy per se when paying attention but I could see it being a LITTLE twitchy after 5 odd hours in the saddle with my brain frying. Again not game breaking but still it was there but I am the type of person who likes what I call cruise missle handling, it goes exactly where I want to go but only when I want it to, like my old Colnago Master Light. The Trek is a little more like a sidewinder, it is constantly telling you it wants to turn.
C) Lots more madones out there, I like being at least a little different.
D) this was the main deal breaker. I don't buy complete bikes because I like campy. I buy frame sets. When I bought my Roubaix pro in 2009 a Pro was MSRPing at $1900.00 for frame fork and seat post. The Trek Madone 5 series frame, fork and seat mast was MSRPing at 2800.00.
The Specialized shop also went so far (since the color I wanted was out of stock)as to order a complete bike, let me keep the crank with the frame fork and seat post, and still sold it to me for the MSRP, so I basically got more bike for the buck. Specialized for the most part is just as good a bike as Trek, I wouldn't say one is clearly better than the other, they just tend to hit better price points.