Roubaix or Titanium
- Thread starter Rubystar
- Start date
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Had both and currently still have the Ti bike,both very nice bikes but I reckon for cutting out buzz my trek Domane takes some beating. The Roubaix was a lovely bike though and I regret selling it TBH. By the way my Ti bike isn't a Van Nicholas but a Condor Moda so perhaps not the best comparison. One more you might to consider is a Planet X pickenflick my pal has one and it very nice and very reasonable priced.
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
We were discussing this kind of thing in another thread over the past couple of days ... Use bigger tyres and lower tyre pressures on your current bike. Job done!
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Lee_M
Guru
blasphemer!
Thanks @Dogtrousers
I had a Roubaix Elite for a good few years. Do the Zerts inserts work or are just marketing? Who knows, but I can say that the bike just ate up the miles. I did many an enjoyable ride on it. Lovely, smooth, enjoyable ride. After a full day's ride you felt as fresh as a daisy.
I then got a Van Nick Ventus. The Van Nick has a more aggressive road style frame then the more upright Roubaix. But it's also an amazingly comfy, smooth ride. Once again, the bike just eats up the miles.
Why did I get rid of the Roubaix. Because was such a lovely bike that it needed to be ridden rather then sit in the shed as a cobweb collector.
The plan was to ride both. But it just didn't happen. I did tell myself many a time that I should get the Roubaix out and have a ride. The odd rides I did, when I got it out of the shed, was a great reminder at how nice the bike is. But the Van Nick just shades it for me.
So the Roubaix went to @mark st1 , I was loath to sell it, and do regret it a bit, but knew that Mark would look after, ride and enjoy it.
Would I get another Roubaix. In a nano second. And I probably will one day.
Both are lovely bikes, you have a tough choice to make.
Regarding the Zephyr. The only thing I dislike is the dropped seat stays. Just doesn't do it for me. But that is just me being picky.
I had a Roubaix Elite for a good few years. Do the Zerts inserts work or are just marketing? Who knows, but I can say that the bike just ate up the miles. I did many an enjoyable ride on it. Lovely, smooth, enjoyable ride. After a full day's ride you felt as fresh as a daisy.
I then got a Van Nick Ventus. The Van Nick has a more aggressive road style frame then the more upright Roubaix. But it's also an amazingly comfy, smooth ride. Once again, the bike just eats up the miles.
Why did I get rid of the Roubaix. Because was such a lovely bike that it needed to be ridden rather then sit in the shed as a cobweb collector.
The plan was to ride both. But it just didn't happen. I did tell myself many a time that I should get the Roubaix out and have a ride. The odd rides I did, when I got it out of the shed, was a great reminder at how nice the bike is. But the Van Nick just shades it for me.
So the Roubaix went to @mark st1 , I was loath to sell it, and do regret it a bit, but knew that Mark would look after, ride and enjoy it.
Would I get another Roubaix. In a nano second. And I probably will one day.
Both are lovely bikes, you have a tough choice to make.
Regarding the Zephyr. The only thing I dislike is the dropped seat stays. Just doesn't do it for me. But that is just me being picky.
Soltydog
Legendary Member
- Location
- near Hornsea
What Ian says 
I've just bought a Van Nic Ventus & in 3 days I've done 150 miles, including my July ton today & it does just eat up the miles. Would have done a few more miles today, but got a call whilst out & needed to be home for a meeting 
. I have/had a planet X rt57 carbon bike (cracked the frame, so now awaiting warranty replacement) & the Van Nic is far more comfy. The only noticeable road buzz is at the front end through the carbon forks But for all the road buzz it soaks up, today it seemed to soak up some of the power too. Climbing wasn't as easy as on the carbon, as when you stamp hard on the pedals Ti doesn't respond as well as carbon IMO but I've only ridden one of each. I don't think there's that much in it, for comfort the Ti edges it, for performance the carbon has the edge 
I've just bought a Van Nic Ventus & in 3 days I've done 150 miles, including my July ton today & it does just eat up the miles. Would have done a few more miles today, but got a call whilst out & needed to be home for a meeting . I have/had a planet X rt57 carbon bike (cracked the frame, so now awaiting warranty replacement) & the Van Nic is far more comfy. The only noticeable road buzz is at the front end through the carbon forks But for all the road buzz it soaks up, today it seemed to soak up some of the power too. Climbing wasn't as easy as on the carbon, as when you stamp hard on the pedals Ti doesn't respond as well as carbon IMO but I've only ridden one of each. I don't think there's that much in it, for comfort the Ti edges it, for performance the carbon has the edge 
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Limiting your search to those two models seems a bit odd. There are a lot of great Ti and carbon bikes that would suit. In carbon you have the Domane, the Synapse, Orbea Avant, Focus Izalco & Cayo, many, many. others…a smaller but still wide choice in Ti. Absolute best option for killing road buzz is a decent frame plus fat tyres, possibly tubeless tyres as well. Most 'endurance' bikes won't go past 28mm tyres. Adventure/gravel/all-road models will take 35mm or wider. Running 35mm tyres on my Litespeed- it shrugs off grotty road surfaces, even cobbles are a lot more tolerable. And most definitely not slow.
mark st1
Plastic Manc
- Location
- Leafy Berkshire
I can only agree with what Ian said his Roubaix is the comfiest bike I've ever ridden. Makes me want to go further each time I ride it. Loves it
Globalti
Legendary Member
I'm on my third Roubaix, the SL4 is as super bike, comfortable but still with a bit of zing in the feel of the frame. It's pretty fast but not as fast as an out-and-out race bike.
And no, those Zertz inserts are just for show. They are bolted into wells in the tubes and they don't carry any stress.
And no, those Zertz inserts are just for show. They are bolted into wells in the tubes and they don't carry any stress.
I had an Airbourne Zepplin (now VN Zephyr) my 1st Ti bike a lovely smooth ride and a lively bike, I sold it to a mate its still going strong and looks like new.
I have one of these brilliant for the price, but its CX bike with the geometry and clearance to suit, very smooth on the road though.
I run 32mm tubeless on the Pickenflick (50psi) that goes a long way to producing the comfortable ride, not much slower than my road bikes either.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Just discovered this thread
I pretty much came up with the same choice.
It still looks like Roubaix - the latest one has ditched the Zertz for a mini shock absorber, or titanium
Enigma is leading at the moment, will see some today
Could not get the Van Nich I wanted on their online customiser (i.e. could not get 11-32 w have) Sure it could be built, don't know a good dealer in this part of the world who would build up a frame. On the other hand I know I can get what I want from Enigma. Have had reccomendations for Enigma and VN from club mates.
Club rides and Sportives are my longer rides and in the week I do training rides intervals and the like.
I do want a better bike than the Al frame Z95 I have presently. Have a healthy budget, and I do want to bemore comfortable and faster!!!
And climb hills better!
I pretty much came up with the same choice.
It still looks like Roubaix - the latest one has ditched the Zertz for a mini shock absorber, or titanium
Enigma is leading at the moment, will see some today
Could not get the Van Nich I wanted on their online customiser (i.e. could not get 11-32 w have) Sure it could be built, don't know a good dealer in this part of the world who would build up a frame. On the other hand I know I can get what I want from Enigma. Have had reccomendations for Enigma and VN from club mates.
Club rides and Sportives are my longer rides and in the week I do training rides intervals and the like.
I do want a better bike than the Al frame Z95 I have presently. Have a healthy budget, and I do want to bemore comfortable and faster!!!
And climb hills better!
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Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
may give them a look in
