2013 Specialized Roubaix SL4
07-12-12, 06:01 AM
#51
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A sweet looking bike Bostic. Is the Volagi technically a cross bike or road bike with disc aka does it have limited tire clearance?
Congrats on your double century. If that isn't a benchmark of fitness, not sure what is.
Cheers.
Congrats on your double century. If that isn't a benchmark of fitness, not sure what is.
Cheers.
The setup of that bike looks very close to how I have my Volagi configured, though I run an Ultegra triple with 11-25. I have 988 miles on the Volagi since getting it mid-May. I recently rode the hardest double century in California, Alta Alpina 8 passes, 21,000'. The bike is plenty stiff at the bottom bracket. You hear but don't feel the bumps on the road. My bike is just under 19 lbs. I originally tried the bike with Sram Red Black but I prefer triples over compacts. I'm 5' 7", 141lbs.
https://app.strava.com/activities/12158578
https://app.strava.com/activities/12158578
07-12-12, 06:17 AM
#52
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Campag,
RBA liked the Crux and the Gravel Bike concept. The disc brakes were appreciated for the wet and mud conditions. They discussed some weight saving ideas, but not very much there. Tire size and what could be fitted to the Crux with its disc brakes was looked at, briefly. The overall bike was well received by them and the had a sidebar about a custom Gravel Road bike they wanted to do more testing on. The main point they liked was the ability to ride between different road sections on rougher roads than one would want to ride a regular road bike on with its thinner tyres. They wanted good handling when the GR bike is on the asphalt and how tire selection would come into play.
That is a few high points I can pull up in my old worn mind, I am at work without the issue right now. Try their website for a possible link to the article https://www.roadbikeaction.com/ this was not a full blown bike test but a look at the crux as a part of a new movement and about Gravel Bikes in general. Too short for a lot of details for my taste. Hope this helped you some.
Bill
RBA liked the Crux and the Gravel Bike concept. The disc brakes were appreciated for the wet and mud conditions. They discussed some weight saving ideas, but not very much there. Tire size and what could be fitted to the Crux with its disc brakes was looked at, briefly. The overall bike was well received by them and the had a sidebar about a custom Gravel Road bike they wanted to do more testing on. The main point they liked was the ability to ride between different road sections on rougher roads than one would want to ride a regular road bike on with its thinner tyres. They wanted good handling when the GR bike is on the asphalt and how tire selection would come into play.
That is a few high points I can pull up in my old worn mind, I am at work without the issue right now. Try their website for a possible link to the article https://www.roadbikeaction.com/ this was not a full blown bike test but a look at the crux as a part of a new movement and about Gravel Bikes in general. Too short for a lot of details for my taste. Hope this helped you some.
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
07-12-12, 10:14 AM
#53
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On Sunday I was part of a big test ride at a local dealer for Volagi. Both founders, Robert and Barley where there. I got to test ride the Steel Viaje that was outfitted with Campy Chorus. Rides like steel, corners and handles like carbon. Wonderful bike. I also test rode a Dura-Ace Di2 Volagi with the TRP Parabox and Hydraulic discs. The Di2 was cool but nothing that made me want to start saving $$$ to acquire. The TRP brakes though are really amazing. Smoooth and powerful.
The SL4 disc Roubaix is 135mm spacing. I'm interested in the spacing of the cranks for the chainline as it's somewhat new territory. Also the head tube is shrunk in the size I would ride, 52cm. I certainly notice the difference between my Pedal Force RS from 2007 with a straight head tube diameter compared to my 2011 Tarmac SL2 Comp with 1 1/8" to 1.5". Throwing the Tarmac into sharp hairpins, it's no comparison now much more enjoyable the Tarmac is. Also, if I'm doing my conversion correctly the disc version is going to list around $5000?!? ( £3,300 from Bike Radar)
07-12-12, 10:18 AM
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Not really. On MTBs there is an extra 5mm spacer on the driveside, easily seen on external BB systems. I don't own a pressfit MTB but I would surely think they do the same.
07-12-12, 10:58 AM
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Definitely a big fan of Volagi. I didn't know they are ACTC members until recently. I wonder how they dealt with members in the club who work for Specialized.
07-12-12, 12:20 PM
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Campag,
RBA liked the Crux and the Gravel Bike concept. The disc brakes were appreciated for the wet and mud conditions. They discussed some weight saving ideas, but not very much there. Tire size and what could be fitted to the Crux with its disc brakes was looked at, briefly. The overall bike was well received by them and the had a sidebar about a custom Gravel Road bike they wanted to do more testing on. The main point they liked was the ability to ride between different road sections on rougher roads than one would want to ride a regular road bike on with its thinner tyres. They wanted good handling when the GR bike is on the asphalt and how tire selection would come into play.
That is a few high points I can pull up in my old worn mind, I am at work without the issue right now. Try their website for a possible link to the article https://www.roadbikeaction.com/ this was not a full blown bike test but a look at the crux as a part of a new movement and about Gravel Bikes in general. Too short for a lot of details for my taste. Hope this helped you some.
Bill
RBA liked the Crux and the Gravel Bike concept. The disc brakes were appreciated for the wet and mud conditions. They discussed some weight saving ideas, but not very much there. Tire size and what could be fitted to the Crux with its disc brakes was looked at, briefly. The overall bike was well received by them and the had a sidebar about a custom Gravel Road bike they wanted to do more testing on. The main point they liked was the ability to ride between different road sections on rougher roads than one would want to ride a regular road bike on with its thinner tyres. They wanted good handling when the GR bike is on the asphalt and how tire selection would come into play.
That is a few high points I can pull up in my old worn mind, I am at work without the issue right now. Try their website for a possible link to the article https://www.roadbikeaction.com/ this was not a full blown bike test but a look at the crux as a part of a new movement and about Gravel Bikes in general. Too short for a lot of details for my taste. Hope this helped you some.
Bill
Thanks again.
07-12-12, 12:44 PM
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Id love to try the roubaix sl4, if its stiffer than my sl3 id be in love!
My lbs carries specialized, and they seem to have a lot of sl2's only one s-works sl3! So i assume its gonna take a LONG TIME before i get to see the sl4... In fact my htc sl3 is exotic around this parts!!
My lbs carries specialized, and they seem to have a lot of sl2's only one s-works sl3! So i assume its gonna take a LONG TIME before i get to see the sl4... In fact my htc sl3 is exotic around this parts!!
07-12-12, 12:45 PM
#58
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It's a road bike. It can run up to 700x28 tires but it's been mentioned 700x25 is the sweet spot to use with full fenders since there are mounts on the forks and rear for them during the winter months. I'm running 700x23 Conti 4-Seasons. The rear spacing is standard 130mm.
On Sunday I was part of a big test ride at a local dealer for Volagi. Both founders, Robert and Barley where there. I got to test ride the Steel Viaje that was outfitted with Campy Chorus. Rides like steel, corners and handles like carbon. Wonderful bike. I also test rode a Dura-Ace Di2 Volagi with the TRP Parabox and Hydraulic discs. The Di2 was cool but nothing that made me want to start saving $$$ to acquire. The TRP brakes though are really amazing. Smoooth and powerful.
The SL4 disc Roubaix is 135mm spacing. I'm interested in the spacing of the cranks for the chainline as it's somewhat new territory. Also the head tube is shrunk in the size I would ride, 52cm. I certainly notice the difference between my Pedal Force RS from 2007 with a straight head tube diameter compared to my 2011 Tarmac SL2 Comp with 1 1/8" to 1.5". Throwing the Tarmac into sharp hairpins, it's no comparison now much more enjoyable the Tarmac is. Also, if I'm doing my conversion correctly the disc version is going to list around $5000?!? ( £3,300 from Bike Radar)
On Sunday I was part of a big test ride at a local dealer for Volagi. Both founders, Robert and Barley where there. I got to test ride the Steel Viaje that was outfitted with Campy Chorus. Rides like steel, corners and handles like carbon. Wonderful bike. I also test rode a Dura-Ace Di2 Volagi with the TRP Parabox and Hydraulic discs. The Di2 was cool but nothing that made me want to start saving $$$ to acquire. The TRP brakes though are really amazing. Smoooth and powerful.
The SL4 disc Roubaix is 135mm spacing. I'm interested in the spacing of the cranks for the chainline as it's somewhat new territory. Also the head tube is shrunk in the size I would ride, 52cm. I certainly notice the difference between my Pedal Force RS from 2007 with a straight head tube diameter compared to my 2011 Tarmac SL2 Comp with 1 1/8" to 1.5". Throwing the Tarmac into sharp hairpins, it's no comparison now much more enjoyable the Tarmac is. Also, if I'm doing my conversion correctly the disc version is going to list around $5000?!? ( £3,300 from Bike Radar)
Congrats again on your double century...sounds grueling and what an effort!
Last edited by Campag4life; 07-12-12 at 12:51 PM.
07-12-12, 12:48 PM
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Id love to try the roubaix sl4, if its stiffer than my sl3 id be in love!
My lbs carries specialized, and they seem to have a lot of sl2's only one s-works sl3! So i assume its gonna take a LONG TIME before i get to see the sl4... In fact my htc sl3 is exotic around this parts!!
My lbs carries specialized, and they seem to have a lot of sl2's only one s-works sl3! So i assume its gonna take a LONG TIME before i get to see the sl4... In fact my htc sl3 is exotic around this parts!!
07-13-12, 12:25 PM
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The setup of that bike looks very close to how I have my Volagi configured, though I run an Ultegra triple with 11-25. I have 988 miles on the Volagi since getting it mid-May. I recently rode the hardest double century in California, Alta Alpina 8 passes, 21,000'. The bike is plenty stiff at the bottom bracket. You hear but don't feel the bumps on the road. My bike is just under 19 lbs. I originally tried the bike with Sram Red Black but I prefer triples over compacts. I'm 5' 7", 141lbs.
07-16-12, 11:22 AM
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While I like caliper brakes on my road bike, I will have to consider Avid mechanicals if available when I replace my new Roubaix which will be well into the future likely. I have BB7's on my 29er and love 'em. I am not a fan of hydraullic disc brakes....just don't want the hassle of them...no doubt they work well when set up properly.
07-16-12, 11:23 AM
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