S/H Specialized Roubaix.

[bikeman66]

Hi all.

I'm in the market for a bigger bike for my son and have (potentially) been offered a second hand Specialized Roubaix. I've seen it very briefly and it looked in fairly good nick as far as I could see. The guy who owns it bought it from a mate, but is not sure that road cycling is going to be for him. He seemed to think the bike was about four years old (i.e 2011 model). It has full carbon frame and forks and a 105 groupset. Any of you good folk able to suggest which model this might be please?

My son is 6ft 1" and has outgrown his 54cm Carrera. He sat on my 58cm Felt, but thought it was too big, so I'm guessing that the Roubaix at 56cm might be just about right.

Any of you guys (particularly Specialized riders) know of any watch points when potentially buying a second hand Roubaix. Obviously I'd need to give it a thorough look over, but would be interested to hear of any issues I might need to pay particular attention to.

The guy who is selling the bike (who is someone I would consider a workmate, rather than just some dodgy bloke I've met in a dark alley) is likely to be asking £150-£200. This seems like a bit of a deal to me, or is it about right for a four year old 105 equipped Roubaix?

Any advice or thoughts regarding the above would be most welcome. Thanks.

 

[ianrauk]

Check out the Specialized Bike Archive HERE

 

[Steve T]

That sounds like a bargain if its in good nick - I paid £400 for 2008 one last year and I was delighted with it,sold it to a friend when I upgraded for the same money.Obviously being carbon you need to look for frame damage particularily anything else is upgradeable.

 

[ColinJ]

It could be that your son thinks 58 cm is too big for him because he is used to riding an undersized 54 cm bike?

I am the same height as him and know lots of other people my height and 58 cm is a pretty good fit for us.

Most people I know who ride 56 cm bikes are about 5' 9" to 5' 11".

PS That's with a 11 cm stem. If the stem on your Felt is really long, then that might explain why your lad didn't like it.

I think you need to consider getting a proper bike fit done or he could end up with another bike which is too small for him!

 

[SamR]

I ride a 56CM Roubaix and I'm about 5"10-5"11. It fits me now, but might not do in a few years.
What I'd suggest is trying either a 56cm Roubaix or a 58. Everybody's proportions are different so it might be the 56 will fit him no problem.
I have a friend who is the same height as me yet he can hardly fit on my bike because his inside leg is much shorter than mine.

 

[ColinJ]

What I'd suggest is trying either a 56cm Roubaix or a 58. Everybody's proportions are different so it might be the 56 will fit him no problem.
I have a friend who is the same height as me yet he can hardly fit on my bike because his inside leg is much shorter than mine.

That's true ... I have a longish torso and not particularly long legs (33", inside) for my height.

 

[SteCenturion]

I agree with Col...

6ft & a smidge with 33" leg, long torso, I ride a 58 Cube & a 57 Sintesi.

A size large Secialized Venge at 56.5 would fit me *viewed yesterday* but so would a 58.

I think 6ft 1 is starting to push it a little without stem changes, although....

If you watch a lot of Pro Cycling as I do, you get to find that they are on frames generally considered to be 1 or sometimes 2 sizes too small for their stature.
Remember though that they are Pro's & are very limber with access to Physio's & Masseurs almost 24/7.

 

[Oldbloke]

I'm 5.11" and ride a 56 cms, plenty of room for me.

At that price I'd take your mate's hand off....I recently sold my old 2009 Roubaix Elite for around £430

 

[ianrauk]

I'm 5'9" and ride a 56cm (with a 90mm stem). I can ride smaller but with compact frames I prefer the larger size. Roubaix Elite 2009 also.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I'm 6'2" and I ride 58cm Specialized bikes if it helps

 

[bikeman66]

Had a closer look at the Roubaix today. It fits with a 2010 colour scheme for the Roubaix Elite (bare carbon with red and white detail).

You can tell it has been well used, but it also looks well loved too. Everything about the 105 group functions as you would want it to and the wheels spin true. Headset feels a little lumpy but I figure that will be easily corrected. There's the obligatory scuffs on the cranks but nothing that I'd lose any sleep over.

The frame looks in good nick with no evidence of cracks or impact damage, apart from a scratch about 50mm long on the top tube and a couple of scuff marks on the head tube where the cables have rubbed.

I think for the £150 the guy is asking I'd be mad not to do the deal. Having adjusted the saddle to my height and sat on the bike I would be confident that it will be OK for my son too. If it really doesn't turn out to be the right bike for him, I'd be confident of at least recouping my money if I have to move it on.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Had a closer look at the Roubaix today. It fits with a 2010 colour scheme for the Roubaix Elite (bare carbon with red and white detail).

You can tell it has been well used, but it also looks well loved too. Everything about the 105 group functions as you would want it to and the wheels spin true. Headset feels a little lumpy but I figure that will be easily corrected. There's the obligatory scuffs on the cranks but nothing that I'd lose any sleep over.

The frame looks in good nick with no evidence of cracks or impact damage, apart from a scratch about 50mm long on the top tube and a couple of scuff marks on the head tube where the cables have rubbed.

I think for the £150 the guy is asking I'd be mad not to do the deal. Having adjusted the saddle to my height and sat on the bike I would be confident that it will be OK for my son too. If it really doesn't turn out to be the right bike for him, I'd be confident of at least recouping my money if I have to move it on.

You should snap his hand off, I have the 2010 Secteur Elite with 105 and I wouldn't even consider selling it at that price and you could definitely re-sell it for a lot more than that if you had to. If the headset is anything like my secteur I got the bearings done on mine in the local specialized concept store for £13.

 

[DrLex]

I think for the £150 the guy is asking I'd be mad not to do the deal.

The original price would probably have been around £1,700, as the RRP of the version two up (Expert with Ultegra) was £2,850 in July 2011, when I bought one, so that's a very good price. As to sizing, 56 or 58 would be fine. I chose 58 as better for my 6' & 33" leg, but the 56 sold to a 6'4" chap who preferred a racing posture.


EDIT: Forgot that the Comp model was between Elite and Expert, so checked price and adjusted post accordingly.

 

[Roadrider48]

I have a Roubaix SL4 2014 model in a 56cm with a 110mm stem.
I am 6'0" with a 32" inside leg and it fits me very well. Extremely comfy for long rides.
As far as the price goes, I wouldn't really know for a 2011 model. I am thinking of selling mine due to just having bought a new bike and the Roubaix won't get ridden. Mine does have carbon deep section wheels so I would be wanting around £900 or around £600 with a pair of more budget wheels. Mine also has a full 105 groupset, so the one you're after does sound ok. Good luck with that mate.

 

[Globalti]

Check the area where the chainstays are bonded to the dropouts for witness cracks in the thick glossy brittle paint. Not a problem but something you need to be aware of. Also around the fork crown and the BB shell.

I've always had 56 Roubaixs and I'm around 5' 11" by the end of the day.