New to the road...part 2

[JonnyG]

The reason it's part 2 is that I seem to have misplaced part 1 and in the process managed to hi-jack ChrisIOW's 'I am coveting my Neighbours Ass' thread, so sorry for that Chris!


The quest for my first road bike goes on and after several demo rides it comes down to two. Both Specialized, the Roubaix Elite and the Sectuer. With the discount my LBS has agreed one falls comfortably within my £1k budget the other stretches me by some £400.


My concern is whether I am aiming too high with the Carbon frame and if for a 'road novice' like me, the Alu frame would be more than adequate.


Given the obvious bonus of extra comfort from the carbon frame, and assuming I can live without that I am left with the gearset differences.


I mentioned before that I would like to aim for the Shimano 105 (Roubaix) but how good is the SRAM Apex (Sectuer), will I be disappointed, and is it something I can upgrade bit by bit if I wanted to?


The next up in Sectuer is the Comp, still outside of my budget but only just and fitted with Shimano 105.... ??????


I know this shouldn't really be a consideration but I also like the colour scheme of the Sectuer Elite more than any of the other two.


Confused?..... you bet!!!!

 

[Chris.IOW]

The reason it's part 2 is that I seem to have misplaced part 1 and in the process managed to hi-jack ChrisIOW's 'I am coveting my Neighbours Ass' thread, so sorry for that Chris!

That's quite okay.! lol.

In answer to your question I was a novice a few months ago and went for the Secteur and I'm already looking for an upgrade (Hence the other thread). Now it's true that my Secteur is not quite as high a spec as the one's your looking at but, I guess my advice (for what it's worth) is, you won't be a novice for long, so don't base your decision on the fact you consider yourself a novice.

I would be interested in seeing other more experienced peoples comments on whethere the frame or the components are the more important factor to consider.

Good luck with the search, what ever you end up with just enjoy riding it.

 

[deanbmx]

I'm sure there's a thread on apex vs 105 in the parts forum. I personally prefer apex

 

[Globalti]

I have 105 gears on my Roubaix and I hate them; the changing is clanky and noisy, the chain unshipped from the small ring so frequently that I ended up fitting a K-Edge chain device and the rear derailleur never seems to shift smoothly, no mater how I adjust it or how often I change the cable. Can't comment on Apex but it can't be as bad.

Love the bike though; it's armchair comfortable on our rough Lancashire roads.

 

[Andrew_P]

I am what would be considered a novice and moved form a hybrid to a Roubaix Comp. I do not care what people think (all the gear and no idea). It was the best investment I have made in Cycling, well that and the Garmin.

I enjoy my cylcing much more now, it is comfortable to ride, and I ride it more often and with more passion than I ever did the hybrid.

Cannot really comment on the gears as it was a big leap on quality for me, and the 105 seems really smooth and on the button, but I guess it is all relative to what you are used to.

I would say you will be pleased with both, but if you buy the Secteur you will probalby at some point wish you had bought the Roubaix.

I ride mine for commuting almost exclusively, and I am doing it far more often this year than I did last year which is a clear indicator I am enjoying it more. My times have improved but I would reckon that has more to do with fitness than the bike.

 

[ianrauk]

I have 105 gears on my Roubaix and I hate them; the changing is clanky and noisy, the chain unshipped from the small ring so frequently that I ended up fitting a K-Edge chain device and the rear derailleur never seems to shift smoothly, no mater how I adjust it or how often I change the cable. Can't comment on Apex but it can't be as bad.

Love the bike though; it's armchair comfortable on our rough Lancashire roads.

The 105 gears on my Roubiax Elite are smooth as silk. Yet the 105 gears on my Secteur Elite are a little clunky, but not as bad as yours by the sound of it. I certainly have never had the chain unship on either.

 

[Oldbloke]

I can't comment on the Secteur as I've never ridden one; as for the Roubaix, when I bought mine in 2009 the increase in comfort from my previous (Trek) alloy road bike was immeasurable.

Have done a good few thousand miles on it now & the 105 gears have become a little temperamental, as Globalti above says. However, the version of 105 on the new model is probably much better than mine.

If you can get a Roubaix for £1400 seems like a good deal to me; as previously said, you probably won't be a novice for long!

Good luck with your choice anyway!

 

[theloafer]

not had this long 2 weeks once i got used to the apex double tap bit they work great the 11-32 block at the back has wide gaps but only notice when coming down the block comfort is brill was £1700 at the lbs.... i got it for £1500 cash


ps jonnyg dont worry about colour mine was all black+white (is a macam) i got the the shop to change bar tape +tyres no extra ...

 

[JonnyG]

ps jonnyg dont worry about colour mine was all black+white (is a macam) i got the the shop to change bar tape +tyres no extra ...


Looks a nice bike Loafer and a good deal.

Decision time is Thursday when I go back for a final look. My head tells me to go for the cheaper Sectuer, my heart the Roubaix.

As LOCO said earlier, maybe I won't always be a novice? I work in the motorcycle industry and spend my life advising people to stretch to the very best they can afford as they will probably save money in the long run. That should be a clue!!!!

My other obsession is cameras and I have never had this problem....always bought best!

ps: I am originally from Co Durham Loafer, and my family are still there. Where exactly?

J

 

[theloafer]

hi jonny
newton aycliffe mate ....go for the best you can mate i upgraded from alu frame+carbon forks too full carbon she is a joy to ride re camera,s >>is a cannon man

larry

 

[JonnyG]

hi jonny
newton aycliffe mate ....go for the best you can mate i upgraded from alu frame+carbon forks too full carbon she is a joy to ride re camera,s >>is a cannon man

larry

Cool, my grandparents lived in Aycliffe, I spent a lot of time there! As for cameras I was a newspaper photographer for 25 years and have had Canon. Now Nikon, but they're both good.

My mind is all but made up on the bike. Thanks to everyone here for all the help.

J

 

[Andrew_P]

Well done you will enjoy the Roubaix