Bike shop has some older Specialized bikes on extreme discount, are they worth it?
 

I apologize if this is an issue posting a new post, but the title of my last post was talking about two particular bikes.
I spoke to a local bike store that is having a clearance sale. They have three bikes they suggested for me. All brand new. Some background, I am 6ft new to road biking and trying to get my feet wet. My questions are which of the following would be best for me? Or maybe just go with a used bike? And are they indeed good prices? A different store suggested a fourth bike, which I am putting on here as well:

1. 2016 - Specialized Tarmac Carbon Bike. Rim Brakes, 105 - $1260 (supposed original list price 1900)
2. 2017 - Roubaix Elite Carbon. Disc Brakes , Mechanical Brakes, 105 - $1980 (supposed original list price 2800)
3. (not sure of the year) Diverge Comp Carbon - Hydraulic Disc Brakes,, 105 $1700 (supposed original list price 2400)
4. 2020 - Giant Content AR1 - Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 105, $1,550

Thank you

First thing to ask is the size. You probably need a 58cm frame but get sized to make sure. Second, are these new old stock? Third, if they are NOS and fit you I'd say the Tarmac should be closer to $1000-1100. The Roubaix price is pretty good. Not sure of the other two.

They are all 56CM. I stopped by the store and went for a drive of the Roubaix and they said it was the correct size for me. They are all New Old Stock. Would the Roubaix be a good fit or an overkill?

Thank you

It's not overkill. It's a few steps up from my 2017 NOS Sport SL4 model. It has the Future Shock which is a nice feature. Don't let them tell you it's the correct size. Did it feel comfortable? Were you at all cramped? I'm 5' 10" with a 29" inseam and ride a 56cm frame. By the way my bike retailed for $2000.00 and I paid $1300 so 35% off. You are getting about a 30% discount.

For the 105 group sets make sure they’re the R7000 variant. While the old 105 was respectable, the newest version of the 105 received a lot of trickle down tech from their upper lines.

All those bikes are more bike than you need right now, and even 2 years from now.
Very few of us maximize the capability of many of these road bikes that are discussed daily.

But that doesnt mean you shouldn't have nice things.
All the prices are fine- its retail and everyone has different results buying old stock from retail since time of year, location, and inventory all play a factor in discounts.

Narrow the list by only considering bikes that are within your budget. Then narrow the list down to bikes that feel like they fit. Last- pick the one you like the look of the best.
We tend to use things we enjoy- and looks matter when it comes to a hobby.


...or buy a used road bike, rode it for a season, then buy a nicer bike once you know what you like and dislike about the current bike. You will be a smarter consumer and better cyclist at that point.

A 2016 bike wont have r7k. But 6800 series works fine and will get you to the same place in the same amount of time, so not all is lost.

True and true. A bike that is 2-3 years old NOS, is to most of us no less capable than a current year bike with the lates components...

Also, consider the Diverge, even if it without the Future Shock. The bike has a slick fender mount system that allows for (mostly) comfortable year around riding even when the weather turns miserably rainy. I bought one on a whim back in '15, absolutely don't regret it, and frankly I ride it as much as my road bike, on just about anything (even the occasional single track), and its my go to for commuting 9 months of the year.

Hydro brakes all the way if you live in a hilly or rainy area. Also large tire clearance makes a big difference if you want comfort while putting in your first significant miles, so probably not the Tarmac. Otherwise, they should all be fine bikes.

Sizing a rider on a smaller frame means that the headtube will be shorter so the saddle to handlebar drop is greater. At 6 ft tall a 56 might fit but more than likely it’s small. At 6’1” my perfect size is 59/60, and a 62cm isn’t too big. 58 is the smallest I will ride.

I wonder if being NOS affects the warranty period?

Test ride 'em. The Roubaix looks overpriced.. Seeing as 2020s are out or just about out, a 2017 is already a 3yr old model. $2K for 105 mechanical disc seems a bit much.

Good question raised above.. ask what warranty coverage is and get it in writing.

Whatever you do, make sure the Roubaix does not have SCS wheels. If it does, you do not want that bike.

Specialized tried to create its own road disc wheel standard. No one else jumped on board, and Spec dropped it after one year. It basically limits you to their wheels - which they only produced for one year - or a rather complicated conversion. Again, they only did it for one year, so finding the parts to do the conversion isn't easy. I don't recall if it was 2016 or 2017 that they did that.

Beyond that, just make sure the bike fits. Everyone is different, but 56 may be borderline too small for someone 6'0" tall.

It doesn't.

The warranty period starts from the date of purchase.

Thats the thing, size. You can tell its a big topic.

I would not spend that much on your 1st bike until you know for sure that frame is your size. And that takes around a year of riding / gaining strength and flexibility / tweaking parts until you really know what you like.

Maybe a 56 with a longer stem? A 58 with a shorter stem? Either or with a standard 100mm stem. We don't know. Its all up to your body.

Perhaps get a fit, grabbed a decent used bike for a few hundred, ride it for a bit. Then go for a nice bike.

If you are dead set, get the Roubaix as it will probably have the most resale value if you want to sell it. It will be most comfortable too. But I still say to save your $$$ for now and make sure you like cycling before dropping that much cash.

The Diverge Comp Carbon is a very nice bike, and may fit your needs in the future better than the others. The Tarmac, well, it is a proven performer and is hard to beat for someone interested in racing . If one of those two fit, same some bucks and go with one. You won't be disappointed.

My take on a bike for a new rider is to look for versatility. A versatile bike will do many things well including trips around town for shopping etc. Such a bike will get used frequently. Part of versatility is the capacity to take wider tires up to 28mm or more and even a rear rack. If the bike can mount fenders this will contribute to year round use. And of course, no amount of versatility, as said in earlier posts, over rides fit.

Your height alone is not an indication of proper frame size. Check your inseam. Mine is 32.5" and I can ride 54-56 nicely. Having lost height over the years I am now 5'8" instead of close to 5'11". When I was taller the 54-56 was also my perfect frame size.

There's no such thing as a "good deal" on a bike that doesn't fit. Do your research and insure that whatever you buy does.