2017 Specialized Roubaix review
10-26-17, 03:29 AM
#601
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Hi all!
First post! I've been the proud owner of a 2014 Roubaix Elite and I purchased a 2017 Roubaix Expert back in June. But I still haven't ridden it, as I broke my ankle in a MTB race also in June. In fact, the bike is right now in the store, as I've been upgrading it a bit (new wheels, crank power meter, a non raised handlebar). A month ago I started pedaling again with a smart trainer (Zwift has made me a cyclist again!), and I hope to get out soon with my new bike (fracture is healed, but I am still limping).
So may be next week (I hope!) I'll be posting some pictures!
First post! I've been the proud owner of a 2014 Roubaix Elite and I purchased a 2017 Roubaix Expert back in June. But I still haven't ridden it, as I broke my ankle in a MTB race also in June. In fact, the bike is right now in the store, as I've been upgrading it a bit (new wheels, crank power meter, a non raised handlebar). A month ago I started pedaling again with a smart trainer (Zwift has made me a cyclist again!), and I hope to get out soon with my new bike (fracture is healed, but I am still limping).
So may be next week (I hope!) I'll be posting some pictures!
10-29-17, 04:56 AM
#603
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..................................
I'm trying to figure out which color to go with. Black would have been my first choice but the red fork don't know what to think of it. Both bikes look great and have to figure out by this sunday so they can order.
Also this is my first road bike and i'm 5 ft 10 in and the lbs fitter put me on two bikes which was the tarmac and he checked the geometries on the roubaix and he said i would fit better on a 56 because I have a longer torso according to him. I have been reading alot so i can understand. I know the roubaix is more of an endurance road bike. And my friends who have alot of experience say i should go with the 54. With the geometry of this bike just trying to get some opinions. I know most will say go for 54.
Thank you
I'm trying to figure out which color to go with. Black would have been my first choice but the red fork don't know what to think of it. Both bikes look great and have to figure out by this sunday so they can order.
Also this is my first road bike and i'm 5 ft 10 in and the lbs fitter put me on two bikes which was the tarmac and he checked the geometries on the roubaix and he said i would fit better on a 56 because I have a longer torso according to him. I have been reading alot so i can understand. I know the roubaix is more of an endurance road bike. And my friends who have alot of experience say i should go with the 54. With the geometry of this bike just trying to get some opinions. I know most will say go for 54.
Thank you
My second road bike, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL. OUTSTANDING AERO road machine.
MY 54cm 2018 Roubaix Expert mechanical in RED with multi-colored flecks has an OUTSTANDING ride, is a no-hander for miles, jumps right back at me when jumping on it and handles turns with the grip of Gorilla tape.
last
Saturday-----103 miles
Sunday-------23 miles
Monday-------69 miles
Tuesday------off
Wednesday---101 miles
Thursday-----102 miles
Friday--------103 miles
yesterday a traveling/working day
today waiting for rain/front to pass
trying for 4 100+ mile days this week)
BTW----67yo, 5' 8.5", was 136lbs before prostate cancer but due to treatment/medication now 144lbs.
10-29-17, 08:23 PM
#604
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Oldtryguy...
that is beyond impressive and amazing. Hope to do a 1/4 of that soon.
You have a lot of experience and do you think at 5'10" i should have gone to a 56?
Thanks
that is beyond impressive and amazing. Hope to do a 1/4 of that soon.
You have a lot of experience and do you think at 5'10" i should have gone to a 56?
Thanks
10-30-17, 04:29 AM
#605
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LBS owner insisted I test ride his 56cm 2017 Expert. Borrowed it on a Wednesday and rode 125+ miles the next day as a test ride. It was excellent BUT knew from the bikes I had a 54cm would be better. If I was 5' 10" I would most likely go for a 56cm.
10-30-17, 03:41 PM
#606
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Yeah, like OldTryGuy says...unless you're me......I'm just under 5'11", and ordered a 58. The real issue with the new Roubaix is the large stack associated with this frame geometry. I ride a 58cm Domane, and the Roubaix is a much taller bike. Much taller. I have a longer inseam than you ( I'm guessing), so I can play tricks to make the reach work for me. But not much can be done about the stack. At your height and dimensions, I'd bet a 56 would work. But you'll be fine on a 54, I'm sure.
Ride them both, back-to-back if possible, then decide. Many of us are between frame sizes, with the caveat being you can't make a large bike smaller (at least not much).
Ride them both, back-to-back if possible, then decide. Many of us are between frame sizes, with the caveat being you can't make a large bike smaller (at least not much).
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Ride hard and ride on......
Ride hard and ride on......
Last edited by wthensler; 10-30-17 at 03:49 PM.
10-30-17, 04:13 PM
#607
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How do you like the white color? I know you said you were planning on wrapping the bike. When do you think you will get the bike. Hopefully you will post some pics soon.
I'm trying to figure out which color to go with. Black would have been my first choice but the red fork don't know what to think of it. Both bikes look great and have to figure out by this sunday so they can order.
Also this is my first road bike and i'm 5 ft 10 in and the lbs fitter put me on two bikes which was the tarmac and he checked the geometries on the roubaix and he said i would fit better on a 56 because I have a longer torso according to him. I have been reading alot so i can understand. I know the roubaix is more of an endurance road bike. And my friends who have alot of experience say i should go with the 54. With the geometry of this bike just trying to get some opinions. I know most will say go for 54.
Thank you
I'm trying to figure out which color to go with. Black would have been my first choice but the red fork don't know what to think of it. Both bikes look great and have to figure out by this sunday so they can order.
Also this is my first road bike and i'm 5 ft 10 in and the lbs fitter put me on two bikes which was the tarmac and he checked the geometries on the roubaix and he said i would fit better on a 56 because I have a longer torso according to him. I have been reading alot so i can understand. I know the roubaix is more of an endurance road bike. And my friends who have alot of experience say i should go with the 54. With the geometry of this bike just trying to get some opinions. I know most will say go for 54.
Thank you
As to size, at 5'11" I'll be on a 58cm, but I like the Titanic-like tall head tube. At 60 yo, my TT days are behind me, but not my love of the hobby.
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Ride hard and ride on......
Ride hard and ride on......
10-30-17, 04:35 PM
#608
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Post some pics after the wrap. I was thinking of wrapping with some black. Will you be doing it yourself?
I am sorry to hear about your wife. I have had cancer in the family and it is so hard to see anyone go through that. I hope your wife is fully recovered.
I am sorry to hear about your wife. I have had cancer in the family and it is so hard to see anyone go through that. I hope your wife is fully recovered.
Sorry, I was away this weekend. Ok, first the color.....I think the red/black is awesome looking, but I have a Domane with almost exactly the same color scheme, but it's lime green instead of red. More important, and unfortunately, my wife has been battling ovarian cancer since 2014, and teal is the color of ovarian cancer survivors. A teal wrap is going to look great with the white background.
As to size, at 5'11" I'll be on a 58cm, but I like the Titanic-like tall head tube. At 60 yo, my TT days are behind me, but not my love of the hobby.
As to size, at 5'11" I'll be on a 58cm, but I like the Titanic-like tall head tube. At 60 yo, my TT days are behind me, but not my love of the hobby.
10-31-17, 10:57 AM
#609
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A quick pic from my ride the other day. Little dirty due to an early AM rain and lots of leaves and dirt 
https://imgur.com/TQ34c7a
https://imgur.com/TQ34c7a
10-31-17, 06:25 PM
#610
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My first ROAD BIKE, a 1983 Waterford Paramount. OUTSTANDING road machine.
My second road bike, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL. OUTSTANDING AERO road machine.
MY 54cm 2018 Roubaix Expert mechanical in RED with multi-colored flecks has an OUTSTANDING ride, is a no-hander for miles, jumps right back at me when jumping on it and handles turns with the grip of Gorilla tape.
last
Saturday-----103 miles
Sunday-------23 miles
Monday-------69 miles
Tuesday------off
Wednesday---101 miles
Thursday-----102 miles
Friday--------103 miles
yesterday a traveling/working day
today waiting for rain/front to pass
trying for 4 100+ mile days this week)
BTW----67yo, 5' 8.5", was 136lbs before prostate cancer but due to treatment/medication now 144lbs.
My second road bike, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL. OUTSTANDING AERO road machine.
MY 54cm 2018 Roubaix Expert mechanical in RED with multi-colored flecks has an OUTSTANDING ride, is a no-hander for miles, jumps right back at me when jumping on it and handles turns with the grip of Gorilla tape.
last
Saturday-----103 miles
Sunday-------23 miles
Monday-------69 miles
Tuesday------off
Wednesday---101 miles
Thursday-----102 miles
Friday--------103 miles
yesterday a traveling/working day
today waiting for rain/front to pass
trying for 4 100+ mile days this week)
BTW----67yo, 5' 8.5", was 136lbs before prostate cancer but due to treatment/medication now 144lbs.
11-02-17, 07:53 AM
#611
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Ugh, I wanted to share a pic from my new Roubaix but as a newbie I can't post URLs until I have at least 10 messages!
So this is my second post... eight to go!
So this is my second post... eight to go!
11-02-17, 04:29 PM
#612
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CURSE my new Roubaix !!!! 163 miles today.
11-02-17, 06:57 PM
#614
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Just got my 2018 Roubaix Expert, back and blue. I did change a couple of things from standard. Rode today for about 20 miles. Great feeling bike! Can't wait to really put it through some paces.
11-03-17, 04:46 PM
#615
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I rode the 2018 Roubaix Expert today - I was planning to save $1000 and get the Comp which has mostly the same group set, but there are several differences:
the Expert has DT350 hubs that were extremely quiet, compared to "sealed hubs" on the Comp that were much louder.
the Expert has an Ultegra Crank Set and bottom bracket, the Comp has the Praxis Zayante crankset and bottom bracket.
the Expert has the Ultegra cassette versus the 105 on the Comp.
Any other differences that I'm missing?
I can get a rear wheel built with a quieter Shimano hub for about $300 or DT350 hub for about $500. I was expecting the DT350 hub to be loud and was surprised at how quiet it was, maybe just a thicker grease or is there something else in the design that makes it so quiet?
the Expert has DT350 hubs that were extremely quiet, compared to "sealed hubs" on the Comp that were much louder.
the Expert has an Ultegra Crank Set and bottom bracket, the Comp has the Praxis Zayante crankset and bottom bracket.
the Expert has the Ultegra cassette versus the 105 on the Comp.
Any other differences that I'm missing?
I can get a rear wheel built with a quieter Shimano hub for about $300 or DT350 hub for about $500. I was expecting the DT350 hub to be loud and was surprised at how quiet it was, maybe just a thicker grease or is there something else in the design that makes it so quiet?
11-03-17, 05:02 PM
#616
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Saddle on Expert is Phenom Expert vs. Phenom comp saddle on the Roubaix Comp. I have both, the Expert is much nicer.
The handlebars are expert vs. comp. I don't know the difference. Same with stem - they are different.
The handlebars are expert vs. comp. I don't know the difference. Same with stem - they are different.
11-04-17, 04:54 AM
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Recognizing, many that purchase the new Roubaix aren't weight focused, can new owners ring in with the weight on their Roubaixs and what size frame?
thanks
thanks
11-05-17, 10:50 AM
#619
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Without pedals and with an empty swat box, my 56cm 2018 Expert DI2 is about 19lbs.
11-05-17, 11:21 AM
#620
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Or... put your money into better components and just put a little extra gel in your shorts and a second wrap of ribbon on the bars...
11-05-17, 11:36 AM
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BTW, earlier in this thread there was a question about the rotors on the expert. They are Shimano RT-70S. Their weight is 133g compare to the Ultegra RT800 @ 127g.
11-05-17, 03:09 PM
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As far as rear compliance, the roubaix's is as good as the the domane's set at maximum travel.
I can't link the video but the review is called "Test Ride of the 2017Specialized Roubaix" on youtube.
This is the bike I want, but way outside my budget ($1000).
11-05-17, 07:23 PM
#623
Senior Member
I'd have thought a shock in the tail would be more useful on most rides than up front although if I was dealing with the pavé in the Hell of the North, I'd say, genius and worth every penny...
11-05-17, 07:29 PM
#624
Senior Member
Yes...but an empty one! :-( I thought the store had made a mistake, but it apparently does not include the tools, which are expensive to buy separately. I use mine to store a spare tube and a CO2 cartridge, but have a small saddle bag for my multi-tool, a second tube (yes, I have had 2 flats on one ride), tire levers etc.
11-05-17, 07:34 PM
#625
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Yeah, like OldTryGuy says...unless you're me......I'm just under 5'11", and ordered a 58. The real issue with the new Roubaix is the large stack associated with this frame geometry. I ride a 58cm Domane, and the Roubaix is a much taller bike. Much taller. I have a longer inseam than you ( I'm guessing), so I can play tricks to make the reach work for me. But not much can be done about the stack. At your height and dimensions, I'd bet a 56 would work. But you'll be fine on a 54, I'm sure.
Ride them both, back-to-back if possible, then decide. Many of us are between frame sizes, with the caveat being you can't make a large bike smaller (at least not much).
Ride them both, back-to-back if possible, then decide. Many of us are between frame sizes, with the caveat being you can't make a large bike smaller (at least not much).
I was a bit awkward at first with the stack height and tried various configurations (flipped stem, different spacer arrangements). I ended up with normal stem (flipped down), removed the 3 x 5mm spacers and replaced the head-set cover with the 0mm version. So in total 30mm lower than "default", and as low as it will go without changing the handlebars. It seems to handle better with the bars lower.