Mr Haematocrit - your wisdom please.

[Peteaud]

As we (I) know you are a spesh fanboy, can i ask your advice / opinion on the 2014 Roubaix frame.

The Frame is listed as SL4.

Am i right in thinking that a few years ago this was mega money?

Link to bike. http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/roubaix-sl4-sport-compact/11016/14Roubaix

Ive been to the spesh store and they have been very helpful but its now down to either this bike or one of its rivals (cheaper rival thats better equiped) but i seem to remember that this frame set is very good.

Any advice as a spesh virgin will be gratefully received.

 

[musa]

Yes it's an SL4. Looka fantastic with the squoval design. Priced quite decently at £1600 with 105. Wheels could be better but something must give. The finish is a lot nicer as well

 

[Peteaud]

Yes it's an SL4. Looka fantastic with the squoval design. Priced quite decently at £1600 with 105. Wheels could be better but something must give. The finish is a lot nicer as well

The store has offered to do me a deal regarding the wheels.

 

[musa]

One thing with specialized is a bike at similar price tends to be Better spec's

With spesh your paying for the frame effectively

 

[Peteaud]

One thing with specialized is a bike at similar price tends to be Better spec's

With spesh your paying for the frame effectively

So the $64K question is, is the frame better then lets say a Giant, or a Canyon?

I am guessing the frame is made in Taiwan (no issue with that) but is it better than say a Planet X (Chinese????) frame.

Or is the extra money going to the marketing Dept?

 

[musa]

Looking at the roubaix its looka more aggressive to the current models like Sl2 the head tube is slightly higher and smaller. Well it certainly is with the tarmacs

 

[Peteaud]

I should say that it is 50/50 between the Roubaix and the Felt Z5

Spesh has better warranty (lifetime i think, need to check).

 

[redcard]

I would love my next bike to be another Roubaix, but not enough to pay a grand premium for what may be a better frame.

 

[musa]

yeah lifetime warranty, to be fair felt make some good bikes i owned a z85 at one point light responsive similar in geometry basis of the roubaix with the sloping top tube.

 

[smutchin]

I made a similar choice between a Roubaix and Felt Z35 a few years ago. In the end, I went for the Felt because there did seem to be a slight premium on the Specialized name, but they're both excellent bikes, very little to choose between them.

 

[Peteaud]

I made a similar choice between a Roubaix and Felt Z35 a few years ago. In the end, I went for the Felt because there did seem to be a slight premium on the Specialized name, but they're both excellent bikes, very little to choose between them.

Really 50/50 at the moment between them. Maybe 51% to the Felt as its better specced, but listed as a 3 year warranty. I nearly bought the Roubaix last year / early this year, but didnt like the washing line cable, that is now internal

 

[musa]

If you want to be different get the Felt I would (well, I wouldn't having owned one) I recently got rid of my spesh bike when looking for a frame I'm avoiding spesh just because its predictable. so after a cannondale

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The roubaix is an amazing bike, its comfortable for clocking up major milage and turns in exceptionally well.
The SL4 uses different lay up based upon frame size as someone weighing 9 stone like myself riding a 52 does not need the same characteristics as someone weighting 15 stone riding a 60 frame set. This used to be exclusive to the s-works bikes however all models in the range now have this.

The frame set is not Mega money as it only became available this year not all of last years roubaix were SL4 and the frame does not feature the same grade carbon or lay up as the works bikes...This is not to say its a great frame set, it really is and makes sworks frame sets questionable for most people.

Specialized concept stores can get a loan/test bike in for £25 although you have to leave your credit card details in case you run off with the bike... my advise is to pay the £25 have a long ride of this amazing bike and if you buy you get the £25 discounted and if its not for you, the money you have lost is minimal.

IMHO when you buy specialized you buy support, service and a world class frameset, specification they are not amazing, but specification does not make the ride.

 

[musa]

Spot on

That's the thing with speech. Quite the opposite to let's say Trek. Anyways off to work to see this lovely roubaix.

 

[Peteaud]

The roubaix is an amazing bike, its comfortable for clocking up major milage and turns in exceptionally well.

IMHO when you buy specialized you buy support, service and a world class frameset, specification they are not amazing, but specification does not make the ride.

Well of my list of 4 -5 bikes i am now down to just the 2, one being the Roubaix.

On the 2014 models the only difference i can see between the sport and the Elite (apart from the colour) is the wheels, although please correct me if i am wrong.

So with my budget i am thinking of going for the SL4 Compact and getting the Roval rapide SL35. wheels

Similar to this for looks

But can it justify the £600 extra over the Felt Z5 (my other choice)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z5-105...m_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360522133