Mr Haematocrit - your wisdom please.

[Mr Celine]

Well thats sold it to me then


Actually just discussing Dealers with Mrs Aud and i said i would prefer to use the Newbury store and not our localish regular dealer (whom i have used in the past but they can be hit and miss)

Going to sleep on it but pretty much 100% going to go for the roubaix. I am going to Email the store and if they require a deposit etc i can do this. I need to have a play as i am between sizes 56 and 58 (i am 6 foot tall) the 56 felt small, the 58 too big!!

I'm also 6' and didn't feel comfortable on either size. (The LBS don't stock Roubaixs but Secteurs have the same geometry - they didn't take my name, far less a deposit, before letting me out for over half an hour at a time trying various combinations of frame size and stems.) Once I'd decided that a 58 with a shorter stem fitted best I ordered a Roubaix. That was nearly 4 years ago - the 2010 model was dearer (£1700) for a similar spec to the bike in the OP. As others have said, it's all about the frame - I've added lighter wheels, better tyres and better brakes but you can't improve on the comfort.

 

[Peteaud]

UPDATE

Been out today for a few test rides and to chat to a Spesh dealer.

One thing thats not clear is the cassette on the Roubaix SL4 Comp. The dealer said its a 32T and new 11 speed, but the specialized site says 28T and 10 speed?? I think the spesh site is still showing the 2013 model specs.

Does anyone know if standard 10 speed wheels fit the new 11 speed cassette?

Ive got a ride when i want i just need to give them a few hours notice.



To confuse me even more, i had a go on a Cannondale Super 6 Ultegra Di2, but the 2012 model. Fantastic bit of kit, but the Di2 is putting me off (same reason as the Cube agree Di2 has all but been discounted).

Very comfy bike that felt right and the price is just about in budget.

Also had a go on a 6 evo liquidgas at £6000 , holy mother of god thats some bit of kit.

The Spesh

The 6

 

[PaulSecteur]

The dealer said its a 32T and new 11 speed, but the specialized site says 28T and 10 speed?? I think the spesh site is still showing the 2013 model specs.

Evans site says 11 speed with an 11-32.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/roubaix-sl4-comp-c2-2014-road-bike-ec053038#features

 

[Peteaud]

Evans site says 11 speed with an 11-32.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/roubaix-sl4-comp-c2-2014-road-bike-ec053038#features

Thanks.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Mr H whilst i appreciate you won't necessarily be able to advise on the ride quality of the Specialized women's bikes could you cast your eye over the the specs of the Amira and the Ruby 2014 carbons . Not being a complete bike techie i'm not sure i'm noticing the subtle differences between them. I have always been faithful to Specialized as their frames have been perfectly sized for me and i currently have a Dolce which i love but i am thinking of a new bike in the new year.
Any chance you could point your wisdom in my direction being the apparent Specialized guru before i hit the Kingston store?

 

[PaulSecteur]

Thanks.

Just been having a look at the 2 bikes you have linked to, the 2014 SL4 Roubaix and the Z5 from wiggle.

There is a price gap, but factor into this the Roubaix is with this years ULTEGRA 11 speed and the z5 has 10 speed 105, and I think the Fulcrum racing 5s are a level up from the Aksiums on the Z5 (Aksiums = racing 7s).
That has to account for a few hundred pounds, then its only a little bit extra you are paying for all the other spesh benefits - like life time warrenty. I remember a while back someone had an SL2 frame that broke on the chainstay (There was talk of using a chain that was too short, but I digress). Any-hoo, spesh didn't have SL2 frames to replace it, so they gave him an sl3. How much is that worth?

If you want a more like for like comparison, the Roubaix sl4 sport compact is £1600 and has a mix of 10 speed 105 and tiagra.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/roubaix-sl4-sport-compact/16838/NewArrivals2014Roubaix

But if you can afford it, go with the 11 speed ultegra one.

Worth declaring Im a spesh fanboy. I think their awesome!

 

[PaulSecteur]

...could you cast your eye over the the specs of the Amira and the Ruby 2014 carbons ....

Im not the expert Mr.H is, but the differences are in the frames.

The Amira is more like the Tarmac, a bit racy-er

The Ruby is like the Roubaix. It has the Zerts to smooth the road buzz out

 

[Hill Wimp]

Im not the expert Mr.H is, but the differences are in the frames.

The Amira is more like the Tarmac, a bit racy-er

The Ruby is like the Roubaix. It has the Zerts to smooth the road buzz out

Thanks for that appreciate it.

 

[Peteaud]

Just been having a look at the 2 bikes you have linked to, the 2014 SL4 Roubaix and the Z5 from wiggle.

There is a price gap, but factor into this the Roubaix is with this years ULTEGRA 11 speed and the z5 has 10 speed 105, and I think the Fulcrum racing 5s are a level up from the Aksiums on the Z5 (Aksiums = racing 7s).
That has to account for a few hundred pounds, then its only a little bit extra you are paying for all the other spesh benefits - like life time warrenty. I remember a while back someone had an SL2 frame that broke on the chainstay (There was talk of using a chain that was too short, but I digress). Any-hoo, spesh didn't have SL2 frames to replace it, so they gave him an sl3. How much is that worth?

If you want a more like for like comparison, the Roubaix sl4 sport compact is £1600 and has a mix of 10 speed 105 and tiagra.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/roubaix-sl4-sport-compact/16838/NewArrivals2014Roubaix

But if you can afford it, go with the 11 speed ultegra one.

Worth declaring Im a spesh fanboy. I think their awesome!

The dealer i went into today has a SL4 comp in and on display, the finish on the frame is way ahead of the Felt imho. As a rule i dont like red bikes, but as soon as i clocked the spesh i did think wow that is nice. I had been looking at the £1600 sport with tiagra, but have upped my budget a bit and although this is still over what i want to pay, i would rather lay out a bit more cash and have the one i want. Mrs Aud asked the saleman "how much" and when he said the price i thought he had the wrong model as in my head i had it down as £3000 ish.

Ive got no experience of Fulcrums but if they are as good as the Mavics i would be more than happy.

 

[PaulSecteur]

...i would rather lay out a bit more cash and have the one i want...

Sensible.

Buying the one you want will always be cheaper than making do, then upgrading.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

"i had a go on a Cannondale Super 6 Ultegra Di2, but the 2012 model"

Drool. Bike porn!

Are you sure you want to discount this bike?

 

[musa]

Paul sectaur is correct about the woman bikes.
Re: wheels. If its 10 speed you need to see if its 11 speed compatible. With 11speed wheel theres a spacer needed (that it comes with i believe) to fit 10speed casettes

 

[Peteaud]

"i had a go on a Cannondale Super 6 Ultegra Di2, but the 2012 model"

Drool. Bike porn!

Are you sure you want to discount this bike?

Not sure about the Di2 to be honest.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Not sure about the Di2 to be honest.

The very man you call on for advice is the same wealth of knowledge RE Di2.

 

[Peteaud]

The very man you call on for advice is the same wealth of knowledge RE Di2.

I know, ive read his thread about 60 times

Its just me thinking about electronics and water etc. If it goes wrong (like a few on the thread) its so much harder than replacing a cable.

Not ruled out the 6 totaly yet.