Specialized Roubaix
 

Hi, I’m new to the forum. I’ve been putting on weight steadily for about 20 years and I finally became tired of it. I topped out at 288 and decided to make some permanent lifestyle changes. I’ve been tracking portion sizes and calories for about a month now as well as walking, riding my Specialized Roll, and using a stationary recumbent exercise on days when I don’t do the others. My appetite is way down and cravings are nonexistent which is great. After about 3 days it got and has remained incredibly easy and I’m down 10 pounds already.

Anyway, there’s a 2011 Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert Compact for sale near me. They’re asking $500. I’d like to get something that’s a little lighter and faster than my Roll that will be better suited to riding longer. Is this a good deal? Any suggestions on things to look for or a lower offer that wouldn’t be insulting? Money isn’t really that big of a concern for me, but I also really like getting good deals. Would it even be suitable at my size? I’m 5’10.5 and 278 as of this morning. It’s a 56cm. I have some pics, but it won’t let me attach them because I don’t have enough posts. Thanks for any suggestions.

Welcome to the best sub-forum on BikeForums! And, congratulations on the lifestyle changes and the results. As far as the bike goes, $500 sounds like a good deal - if it's in good working condition and still has the ultegra groupset and some decent wheels. The wheels will be the important factor in supporting your weight. There are a lot of wheel recommendations here for Clydes. If you need to change them it shouldn't be hard to find a good set, but expect to pay about what you paid for the bike.

I personally ride a 2004 Roubaix (the original!) as my daily commuter. I'm 6'1" my Roubaix is a 57 I believe so you should be able make 56 work. Good luck and keep us posted.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bee4d322d.jpeg

I have a 2013 Roubaix. I started breaking spokes on the rear wheel after I got up to 270. My wheel only had 30 spokes and the thinking was it was flexing too much. I had a heavier duty wheel built with 30 spokes and it has been good.
I have also been losing weight doing sorta keto/ mostly very low carb. I am having my original wheel rebuilt.
You will like the bike. The geometry is perfect.

It might be a fair deal and if it is I am thinking you will enjoy the bike. Closely inspect chain rings to confirm they are not worn our. Measure the chain with a rule to check for excessive wear. If the chain is excessively worn you might need to replace the whole drive train. Same with Wheels and especially the brake tracks. Any defects should result in price concessions. ANY!
For it to be a fair deal IMHO it needs to be in pristine condition. 12 year old carbon @ 30% cost of original seems steep.

Great bikes -- red and white model is one i just had built up with D-A 7800. I am going through some teething pains with gear ratios and this and thats right now, but so far its a winner

https://i.imgur.com/GLPVd0g.jpg

I wound up with 2 of these critters (brain fade on ebay) . Not sure what i will do with the black one other than maybe turn it around and try to re-sell it, -- but i gladly paid more for each of these framesets than you are looking at for a complete bike. I'd definitely be in at $500. I believe my black one is the "Pro" model and they are both SL-4's so may be an apples to oranges comparison to an SL3 but other than the Zertz fittings, the geometry should be comparable

https://i.imgur.com/E6eToBr.jpg

I don't have a picture with me, but I'm on a 2020 Roubaix. 5'8" and 289. Great bike, no problems with wheels.

I ride a 2008 carbon Roubaix I picked up from CL for $300 a few years back. It's a good bike. I never worry about it under my 230 pound self. I wouldn't give too much importance to the weight of any bike, however; not for its own sake. The difference between the total weight of rider plus bike being 300 or 310 pounds makes absolutely no difference.

A concern at your current weight is the tire widths with this bike. The wider the tires the more weight they are able to support. Tires are not expensive but having to put a new wheelset can be if the current rims do not allow for wider tires.