shed

Requirements:
1) Good for 20-60 mile casual road rides (up to rolling hills, probably not mountainous)
2) Step change in performance from my Hybrid Trek DS3
3) Comfortable
4) Disc Brakes
5) Can withstand some rough and tumble bad roads without puncturing, hurting me, or requiring a ton of maintenance

About me
1. Overweight unfit 50 year old
2. Only averages about 10mph typically on my DS3
3. 5'8" though slightly longer legs for my height
4. Bikes about 3 times a month on weekends. Mostly on own and some of those casual 50K untimed rides that cities have.
5. Price: <$2,000
6, Looking to improve, but probably not step change.

Not sure what I should look at:
Candiates from online research: Specialized Roubaix, Trek Domane SL5, Specialized Allez.

Really looking to narrow to 3-5 that I should test drive.

Thank you ever so much in advance.

philbob57

What's wrong with your current bike?

What bikes can you test ride easily?

One person's comfort is another person's disaster. Responders to your query can tell you what they like, but not what you will like. You really need to make a choice between deciding to test ride and deciding to take a reco from the Internet and liking it, whether it feels good or not. I recommend the test rides. Bike shops around here are open.

If you're over 200 lbs, you may be able to get some insight from the Clydesdales/Athenas forum.

MRT2

This is a duplicate thread. OP posted the same thread on the over 50 forum.

shed

1. I'd like to go a little faster
2. My fave LBS focuses on Specialized and Trek, so would prefer those
3. Definitely want to test drive - just want to get a feeling
4. 220lb

Geezerdan

You might want to consider a hybrid style bike.

Jicafold

Jamis Ventura A1

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/venturaseries.html

Maelochs

Spec and Trek offer two bikes (one each) which are probably geared toward your needs .... the Trek Domane (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...domane/c/B221/) and the Specialized Roubaix (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/sh...baix/c/roubaix)

I would recommend a Giant Contend or a Fuji Sportif (Defy and Gran Fondo in carbon) over either (better value---less money for the same equipment, IMO.) But you specified Trek and Specialized.

The Domane and the Roubaix come with built-in mini-shock absorbers which might make a difference if you regularly run very bad roads, but also offer more places for breakdown and expensive repair. Always a trade-off .... but if you aren't planning on riding cobblestones or bad chipseal (is there good chipseal?) , i'd question the utility.

I assume you want a drop-bar bike. If you prefer a flat-bar bike, let us know.

I weigh more than you and have asthma and a bad heart .... but I love riding my bike. So .... you are unfit by your standards, but probably fine, by comparison.

And any aluminum-framed endurance-geometry bike with Sora or Tiagra running gear would probably work fine.

For $2,000 you should be able to get discs. For a few dollars more, a carbon frame, which might or might not actually be an upgrade. A good Al frame with better running gear and wheels, particularly, is better than an entry-level CF frame with bad parts.

Ask the dealer about actual tire clearance. I hear that most of the bikes mention ed can easily fit 32s or 35s, which should be fine for anything paved, however badly, and even hard-packed earth.

if you plan to ride more off-road than on, or want a flat-bar bike, then a whole new search will be required, so ... let us know.

Ogsarg

I recently upgraded from a 2009 Roubaix to a 2019 version and have to say it was one hell of an upgrade. I ride in rural areas with some of the crappiest pavement you'll likely to ever come across. Roads that haven't had a repave in the 39 years I've lived here. Just patch on patch on patch. I've put about 700 miles on the new bike so far and am really happy with it. Besides the future shock in the fork, the vertical compliance of the frame is incredible. It is way more comfortable than the older model and is almost better than my old rigid mtb with 1.75" tires. Besides the comfort, I like the disc brakes over rim and like being able to run bigger tires.

Since your shop has both Spec and Trek, I would definitely compare the Robaix to the Domane. I have not ridden a Trek but hear lots of good things about them. One may just be a better fit for you.

daviddavieboy

Whats your point ?? He wants to get more exposure and this is one of the larger sub-forums.

This is good advice here as well as from Maelochs who is in the same boat or a little worse off and they get by just fine with the hand they are dealt. Everyone is different and thus comfort is personal. Find something you like to look at, get the LBS to adjust it for you and take it for a long spin. If you don't love it then try another. As far as your '1 -5 requirements' you will not get those in a bike off the rack, they will come with proper adjustment and additional equipment purchased. IMO a 60 mile ride when you say " Bikes about 3 times a month on weekends." is asking to get hurt.

Gconan

All Road

Gravel