Specialized Roubaix vs Trek Domane
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Specialized Roubaix vs Trek Domane
I am looking to be getting a road bike in the next 2 weeks and I am between these 2 as there are shops that cover both of them on Oahu and the roads out here leave much to be desired. I am pretty much set on either the Roubaix Sport or the Trek Domane 5 Disc. The one hesitation that I am having is that I am near the max weights or over of these 2. I am currently weighing in at about 260lbs. Will this be an issue with either of these bikes? Also, has anyone else been in this position and has any feedback on these bikes on what swayed you from one side to the other? Thanks for all the help.
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both will ride near same, wheelset may or may not hold up pending on road and riding style. The Domane is bit more slack head angle so might ride better(easier) when road gets rough. And Domane comes with 32c tires from the GO. Domane looks like it comes with 105 hydro brakes and the Spesh comes with mechanical TRP Spyres (great proven calipers)
https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/infor...-gear-ran.html
https://www.trpcycling.com/product/spyre/
Ride both, they both sound sweet.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/infor...-gear-ran.html
https://www.trpcycling.com/product/spyre/
Ride both, they both sound sweet.
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Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
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Trek:
.
With water bottles, shoes, tool-kit, etc, add 25 lbs to your weight.
You'll probably be ok, but it might invalidate a warranty claim. Just use it as incentive to drop a few lbs.
I have what is essentially the steel equivalent of the Domane frame. (It is custom -- it just came out that way.)
This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 275 pounds
With water bottles, shoes, tool-kit, etc, add 25 lbs to your weight.
You'll probably be ok, but it might invalidate a warranty claim. Just use it as incentive to drop a few lbs.
I have what is essentially the steel equivalent of the Domane frame. (It is custom -- it just came out that way.)
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I was looking at the 105 hydraulics on either one, they have the option for it on the Roubaix. I am planning on riding them when I get back to the island next week, just trying to do some research before I get out there.
For the weight I couldn't find an advertised weight limit on the Roubaix, but for the 275lbs on the Domane I will be over a little bit to start, but I should be getting under the max weight soon after I get it and start putting in miles with it.
Thanks for all the feedback so far!
For the weight I couldn't find an advertised weight limit on the Roubaix, but for the 275lbs on the Domane I will be over a little bit to start, but I should be getting under the max weight soon after I get it and start putting in miles with it.
Thanks for all the feedback so far!
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Trek Domane
I purchased a Domane SL6 Disc two months ago, I put 500 miles on the bike so far. Fantastic bike ! Only issue I had was my Trek Dealer would not fit me for seat height and reach without paying an additional $175 ! I complained all the way to Waterloo Wisconsin. Poor, poor customer service. So I paid my old bike fitter a $100 and I’m in good shape. I will continue to bad mouth Treks customer service but I love the product for sure. I’m 232 lbs and have no issues on this bike. I changed the seat and that’s it.
#6
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I purchased a Domane SL6 Disc two months ago, I put 500 miles on the bike so far. Fantastic bike ! Only issue I had was my Trek Dealer would not fit me for seat height and reach without paying an additional $175 ! I complained all the way to Waterloo Wisconsin. Poor, poor customer service. So I paid my old bike fitter a $100 and I’m in good shape. I will continue to bad mouth Treks customer service but I love the product for sure. I’m 232 lbs and have no issues on this bike. I changed the seat and that’s it.
#8
Banned
OEM Mfg Contract filled by Merida or Giant.. you test rode both yet?
Local only sells Trek, but walk in customers don't buy higher end road bikes , so you need to say you want one..
....
Local only sells Trek, but walk in customers don't buy higher end road bikes , so you need to say you want one..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-10-19 at 04:16 PM.
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I am looking to be getting a road bike in the next 2 weeks and I am between these 2 as there are shops that cover both of them on Oahu and the roads out here leave much to be desired. I am pretty much set on either the Roubaix Sport or the Trek Domane 5 Disc. The one hesitation that I am having is that I am near the max weights or over of these 2. I am currently weighing in at about 260lbs. Will this be an issue with either of these bikes? Also, has anyone else been in this position and has any feedback on these bikes on what swayed you from one side to the other? Thanks for all the help.
You will get a great bike with either of them, but for the hell of it, see if you can also try out a 2019 Giant Defy.
They have apparently made some significant changes on the 2019 Defy and it is getting rave reviews in some quarters.
#11
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I weigh 230 and bought a Trek Domane SL6 disc in early 2017 and now have over 4500 miles on it.
I have not had a flat or broken a spoke, or had to have the wheels trued. Disc brakes are a huge improvement for me.
Overall, there has only been one component issue that might be weight related but might not be: There is a plastic cable guide under the bottom bracket. That has broken 3 times in 18 months. Can't always tell when it goes, though it makes a loud noise when it snaps - doesn't impact anything immediately, but the first sign was difficulty going to the large chain ring in the front.
I think the first time happened when I hit a bump on a fast downhill (I thought a rock had kicked up against the BB) and the second time I know happened when I stopped in too high a gear and stood on the pedal to get started - heard the noise, looked under and the cable guide was broken. My theory is my weight plus load was pretty close to the limit, BB flexing would snap the cheap plastic.
The bike shop replaced all these for free, by the third one they said Trek had a new cable guide out for the Domane carbon bikes. That one hasn't broken, so maybe by the time you buy it isn't an issue but since you are 30 lbs more, it is worth looking at. The bike shop did NOT think it was weight related, they thought the original component was just wimpy, but they have sold other Domanes to skinnier people and haven't seen it break.
Outside of that, the SL6 has been just a joy to ride and just as reliable as the steel Trek 520 I've ridden the previous 15 years.
The Roubaix was my second choice, I test rode both of them. Very similar, just something about the way the Domane felt riding (and probably some Trek bias, since I'd been riding a 520 for 15 years) made me choose the Domane.
I have not had a flat or broken a spoke, or had to have the wheels trued. Disc brakes are a huge improvement for me.
Overall, there has only been one component issue that might be weight related but might not be: There is a plastic cable guide under the bottom bracket. That has broken 3 times in 18 months. Can't always tell when it goes, though it makes a loud noise when it snaps - doesn't impact anything immediately, but the first sign was difficulty going to the large chain ring in the front.
I think the first time happened when I hit a bump on a fast downhill (I thought a rock had kicked up against the BB) and the second time I know happened when I stopped in too high a gear and stood on the pedal to get started - heard the noise, looked under and the cable guide was broken. My theory is my weight plus load was pretty close to the limit, BB flexing would snap the cheap plastic.
The bike shop replaced all these for free, by the third one they said Trek had a new cable guide out for the Domane carbon bikes. That one hasn't broken, so maybe by the time you buy it isn't an issue but since you are 30 lbs more, it is worth looking at. The bike shop did NOT think it was weight related, they thought the original component was just wimpy, but they have sold other Domanes to skinnier people and haven't seen it break.
Outside of that, the SL6 has been just a joy to ride and just as reliable as the steel Trek 520 I've ridden the previous 15 years.
The Roubaix was my second choice, I test rode both of them. Very similar, just something about the way the Domane felt riding (and probably some Trek bias, since I'd been riding a 520 for 15 years) made me choose the Domane.
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Well I made it around to the LBS's today and unfortunately there are no carbon Trek Domane's for sale on the island so I wasn't able to try one out today and they are not planning on getting any in to keep on their shelves. I was able to ride a Specialized Roubaix and a Tarmac both experts, but it gave me a feel for how I would like them both just with a different groupset. I have to say that I didn't really notice the future shot while I was riding it, but I definitely noticed the difference that it provided when I took the Tarmac for a ride. I think that I am kinda leaning to the Roubaix right now just due to the fact that I was able to ride it and see how I liked it in even if the groupset was a higher level one, the frame is still the same. I got a lot to think about though and will post here when I make one.
One last question, is it a big difference or a small difference in ride between a aluminum and carbon Domane? The Trek shop had some aluminums, but I didn't think that would be a very close comparison to a carbon, was I right in that assumption or is that off?
Thanks for all the help in making this decision.
One last question, is it a big difference or a small difference in ride between a aluminum and carbon Domane? The Trek shop had some aluminums, but I didn't think that would be a very close comparison to a carbon, was I right in that assumption or is that off?
Thanks for all the help in making this decision.
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If you have the funds for carbon frame , get a carbon bike. It's a pretty good difference between those two materials. Larger tires and carbon add on parts can only do so much to alum frame bikes. The buyer remorse will end up costing you more in the end. aka you selling the alum bike at 30-50% loss to get a carbon version.
If you want the carbon domane because of looks/color, order it. It's a production bike, just has shipping time to get to the island.
If you want the carbon domane because of looks/color, order it. It's a production bike, just has shipping time to get to the island.
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I'm not considering an aluminum bike, but rather to test ride the aluminum, but I don't think that it will be anything near the feel of what the carbon will feel like.
#15
SuperGimp
Those are both terrific bikes but the thing that will make the single biggest difference is the tire size you're able to wedge in there. I have 28s on my older Roubaix and it's very nice over rough chipseal or what have you. Pot holes will be trouble no matter what you run.
I don't know the scope of the issue but I have seen some folks on the road forum complaining about durability of that new future shock they have on the Roubaix.
I don't know the scope of the issue but I have seen some folks on the road forum complaining about durability of that new future shock they have on the Roubaix.
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Roubaix Sport, here. 400 terrific miles so far. 285 pounds. My LBS refused to start with stronger wheels. They opined that with disc brakes and the wheel design that doesn't require the brake area around the outer band, that the wheels may stay true better than a rim brake wheel. So far, so good. My last bike with rim brakes I know I already had the wheels retrued by this point.
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While I agree that the stated weight limits are subject to legal conservatism, I do think you have to consider them in context. The Domane weight limit is stated as 275 lbs, and that limit carries through to nearly all the Domane models. On the other hand, only the base model Roubaix has the same 275 lb weight limit. All Roubaix models above the base (Sport, Elite, Comp, Expert, Pro, and S-Works) carry a stated weight limit of 240 lbs. Here's Specialized's documentation: 2018 Specialized weight limits
I was in a similar situation as you (about 250 lbs, looking at Roubaix, Domane, and a few others) and spent a considerable amount of time doing research and talking to LBS folks who knew their craft. I liked the Future Shock technology in the Roubaix but felt that the base model was a poor spend due to Tiagra components. I wanted 105 or Ultegra-level components for both quality and load-bearing capabilities, so that took me to the Roubaix Expert vs the Domane SL6. As others have said, you're getting a great bike at that level regardless of choice. I rode both and was surprised at the difference. The Roubaix had 28 mm tires and Future Shock front and back, and felt quick and stiff. Certainly it was more compliant and comfortable than the aluminum road bike I was upgrading from. By comparison, the Domane had 32 mm tires and IsoSpeed decouplers front and back, and felt just as quick as the Roubaix Expert but significantly more comfortable. When I combined that difference with the concerns about the Roubaix's 240 lb weight limit, it was an easy decision.
8 months later, I've put about 2,000 miles on the Domane SL6 so far and it's been a dream. It's plenty fast, very responsive to inputs, and just so darn smooth. Any time you get on less-than-perfect tarmac you have an advantage over other riders. Have not had a single mechanical issue with wheels, spokes, tires, or anything else. Ultegra components are significantly better than the 105 components on previous bike and I'm glad I went to that level. Honestly, the best way I can characterize riding the Domane is that it makes me feel like a much better rider than I actually am.
Good luck with your decision!
I was in a similar situation as you (about 250 lbs, looking at Roubaix, Domane, and a few others) and spent a considerable amount of time doing research and talking to LBS folks who knew their craft. I liked the Future Shock technology in the Roubaix but felt that the base model was a poor spend due to Tiagra components. I wanted 105 or Ultegra-level components for both quality and load-bearing capabilities, so that took me to the Roubaix Expert vs the Domane SL6. As others have said, you're getting a great bike at that level regardless of choice. I rode both and was surprised at the difference. The Roubaix had 28 mm tires and Future Shock front and back, and felt quick and stiff. Certainly it was more compliant and comfortable than the aluminum road bike I was upgrading from. By comparison, the Domane had 32 mm tires and IsoSpeed decouplers front and back, and felt just as quick as the Roubaix Expert but significantly more comfortable. When I combined that difference with the concerns about the Roubaix's 240 lb weight limit, it was an easy decision.
8 months later, I've put about 2,000 miles on the Domane SL6 so far and it's been a dream. It's plenty fast, very responsive to inputs, and just so darn smooth. Any time you get on less-than-perfect tarmac you have an advantage over other riders. Have not had a single mechanical issue with wheels, spokes, tires, or anything else. Ultegra components are significantly better than the 105 components on previous bike and I'm glad I went to that level. Honestly, the best way I can characterize riding the Domane is that it makes me feel like a much better rider than I actually am.
Good luck with your decision!
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17 Spec Roubaix Comp
I purchased a 2017 Spec Roubaix Comp June of 2017. I weigh 245 (over the limit). The only issue was spokes loosened after I bought the bike. LBS fixed for free. I have 3500 miles on it and love the bike. I am sure either will be a good choice.
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Geometry
I am also looking to choose between the Domane and the Roubaix. Which one of the two bikes have a more relaxed geometry (more upright)?
I am looking to be getting a road bike in the next 2 weeks and I am between these 2 as there are shops that cover both of them on Oahu and the roads out here leave much to be desired. I am pretty much set on either the Roubaix Sport or the Trek Domane 5 Disc. The one hesitation that I am having is that I am near the max weights or over of these 2. I am currently weighing in at about 260lbs. Will this be an issue with either of these bikes? Also, has anyone else been in this position and has any feedback on these bikes on what swayed you from one side to the other? Thanks for all the help.
#20
SuperGimp
By the way - there's a recall for the fork collar on recent specialized bikes with that future shock
https://bikerumor.com/2019/01/09/spe...My9Qby6K-2TaPE
https://bikerumor.com/2019/01/09/spe...My9Qby6K-2TaPE
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