Specialized Roubaix test ride
- Thread starter vorsprung
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Nice, very nice bike
it's a long way before i can buy such an expensive bike ;(
You probably have a better kitchen than I do
007fair
Senior Member
- Location
- Glasgow Brr ..
Vorsprung I had my eye on one of these for a CTW purchase next year
I would value your opinion ..
I know you can't make 1 bike do everything but do you think this bike would be a good choice for the following requirements;
1. A fast (ish) bike to do sportive type events (nothing too serious ..will never get anywhere near winning them). Speed is good here but i'm an enthusiast thats all
2. long (ish) rides where comfort is required due to the length of ride in saddle and also poor road conditions. Again nothing like a 200 or 300 Audax but Maybe up to 100 miles / day
3. Light touring (ish!) Will it take a rack ? By touring I mean Credit card light for a few days - possibly a week at the most IE would like to do LEJOG at some point over about 1 week
I have tried a Dawes Galaxy - nice bike but too heavy
I liked the look of the Boardman Carbon bikes but I think they would maybe be too race oriented and have no rack eyelets
Plus I would like a bit of comfort
I have a Giant SCR2 at the moment which was bought because it has eyelets and a more upright position theoretically making it more comfortable
Cheers! Robert
The bike was 'stable' because the head angle is 72.5 degrees and the fork rake and trail are bloody enormous.
And as you say, the steering won't be sensitive with this geometry.
The Tarmac is 1 deg steeper with shorter rake and trail, and probably have a lot of newbies twitching the bars and ending up on the road surface.
And as you say, the steering won't be sensitive with this geometry.
The Tarmac is 1 deg steeper with shorter rake and trail, and probably have a lot of newbies twitching the bars and ending up on the road surface.
Mista Preston
Veteran
Robert Just to give my view.
My first road bike was an SCR2 which is a great bike and I still have it. I now have a Roubaix Pro SL. So why a Roubaix.
After testing loads of bikes it felt the most comfortable and its as simple as that. And thats the easiest advice I can give, go and test ride as many bikes as you can to get a feel. Dont be afraid to ask them to change the set up etc and get the bike that feels right, looks right a
The Roubaix is a more upright ride than the say the Tarmac, and the zertz i think make a difference too.
All round I have been very impressed with my Roubaix, but I would say that.
My first road bike was an SCR2 which is a great bike and I still have it. I now have a Roubaix Pro SL. So why a Roubaix.
After testing loads of bikes it felt the most comfortable and its as simple as that. And thats the easiest advice I can give, go and test ride as many bikes as you can to get a feel. Dont be afraid to ask them to change the set up etc and get the bike that feels right, looks right a
The Roubaix is a more upright ride than the say the Tarmac, and the zertz i think make a difference too.
All round I have been very impressed with my Roubaix, but I would say that.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
And Robert, I would add that of all the bikes I have, the Planet X Ti sportive is the most 'all-round' comfortable. I have done short, medium and long rides without any problem. Also, the P-X Ti sportive has a rear rack facility...comfortable as a comfortable thing.
Sunday morning rides in London are 'carbon-rich' - a veritable Roubaix heaven
Sunday morning rides in London are 'carbon-rich' - a veritable Roubaix heaven
All of Specialized's road bikes can be set up properly, or 'upright' with the appropriate stem.
After riding a Peugeot PX10LE round for years since the age of fourteen with its 73.5 degree seat tube and 74 degree head tube, 40mm rake and 50mm trail, the Specialized SWorks ( now the Tarmac ) was pretty much the most 'stable' roadrace bike I've ever ridden.
The Roubaix, with its 'flat' head geometry must be a bugger to steer.
I did have a bike with similar head geometry to the Roubaix. It was a tourer.
As for the 'no hands' thing. I wouldn't go 'no hands' on the Pug until I'm doing over 20 mph when the front wheel turns into a gyroscope. I try not to go 'no hands' on my SWorks but that old tourer with its 'flat' head geometry was OK for 'no hands' luncheon while riding.
I guess the Roubaix would be similar.
The Roubaix, with its 'flat' head geometry must be a bugger to steer.
I did have a bike with similar head geometry to the Roubaix. It was a tourer.
As for the 'no hands' thing. I wouldn't go 'no hands' on the Pug until I'm doing over 20 mph when the front wheel turns into a gyroscope. I try not to go 'no hands' on my SWorks but that old tourer with its 'flat' head geometry was OK for 'no hands' luncheon while riding.
I guess the Roubaix would be similar.
1. It feels fast. My record for downhill speed is 79kph. The first day I took this bike out it got to 73kph. It's light and would be fine for sportifs. It responds well if you put the effort in
2. It is good on rough roads but the tyre size is limited to 25mm ( or maybe a "thin" 28mm if it didn't have mudguards ) I haven't ridden it all day yet, longest ride so far is 120km but the bike is designed for long distances. I am aiming to do long distances at a fairly quick rate. You sound like you want to take it easy.
3. no rack eyes and the back end moves about a lot, not as much as a full sus, but rack attachment would not be easy. I have changed the seatpost to Ti and I have a SQR attachment on it
Mrs Vorsprung has a Dawes Galaxy. If it is too heavy then you could change the tyres and remove the rack
I haven't looked at the Boardman Carbon bikes, none of them seemed to have the right geometry for me
Giant do a bike called the "Defy Advanced" that has similar geometry to the Specialized Roubaix. The SCR has fairly standard geometry for a race bike
Here's a snippet from the Blog report.
"The Specialized was extra stable downhill".
For a RACE bike, this is exactly what you DON'T want. Sorry Spesh...
The qualties of a RACE bike, and that's what the Roubaix is supposed to be, is that it can go round a downhill curve with the LEAST use of the brakes.
A confident rider will be using in-lean to shift his mass to the inside and steering the bike round the curve.
Peugeot, in their infinite, infinite wisdom set the seat angle to be correct for the rider's leg dimensions and set the head angle, rake and trail to be appropriate for the job the bike is to be doing.
Other manufacturers today build RACE bikes with shallow head angles with long rake and trail. What happened to Cavendish on that hairpin finish in the TdeF? He either 'shoot out' or the bike wouldn't steer, or he wasn't experienced enough to anticipate the bike's poor handling.
Go into any framebuilders, including the one I worked in ( you'll have a job, it was twenty years ago and they've closed ) and ask for a RACE frame. You will get the option of a custom frame made for your dimensions or the less expensive alternative which is called the "74 parallel'. Why is it called that?
Shallow head angles? They're for pufters.
It is not impossible to ride an Audax on a full race geometry bike. Many Solihull, Beacon, Halesowen, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton riders do the Elinith and Kiddy Killer on race geometry bikes.
It all a matter of skill, I suppose.
The Specialized Roubaix is aimed at the newbie who hasn't yet gained the skills to ride a steep head angle with low rake and trail.
Its a Racebike lookie-likey.
"The Specialized was extra stable downhill".
For a RACE bike, this is exactly what you DON'T want. Sorry Spesh...
The qualties of a RACE bike, and that's what the Roubaix is supposed to be, is that it can go round a downhill curve with the LEAST use of the brakes.
A confident rider will be using in-lean to shift his mass to the inside and steering the bike round the curve.
Peugeot, in their infinite, infinite wisdom set the seat angle to be correct for the rider's leg dimensions and set the head angle, rake and trail to be appropriate for the job the bike is to be doing.
Other manufacturers today build RACE bikes with shallow head angles with long rake and trail. What happened to Cavendish on that hairpin finish in the TdeF? He either 'shoot out' or the bike wouldn't steer, or he wasn't experienced enough to anticipate the bike's poor handling.
Go into any framebuilders, including the one I worked in ( you'll have a job, it was twenty years ago and they've closed ) and ask for a RACE frame. You will get the option of a custom frame made for your dimensions or the less expensive alternative which is called the "74 parallel'. Why is it called that?
Shallow head angles? They're for pufters.
It is not impossible to ride an Audax on a full race geometry bike. Many Solihull, Beacon, Halesowen, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton riders do the Elinith and Kiddy Killer on race geometry bikes.
It all a matter of skill, I suppose.
The Specialized Roubaix is aimed at the newbie who hasn't yet gained the skills to ride a steep head angle with low rake and trail.
Its a Racebike lookie-likey.
I have a grey Condor Fratello - steel frame, carbon forks/ seatpost and Brooks saddle. I use it for Audax (300 longest thus far). It is very comfortable, fast enough for me - and often admired by other audax riders
.
How does it match up to your requirements ?
The design of an 'audax-type' bike favours comfort over speed but they are still quicker than a touring bike. They are designed for all-day riding comfort, at reasonable pace.
As has been said, test as many as you can - and do try a steel frame - and titanium if you can afford/justify it
.
HTH
How does it match up to your requirements ?
Although a few years out of date, there is a good review here.I would value your opinion ..
I know you can't make 1 bike do everything but do you think this bike would be a good choice for the following requirements;
1. A fast (ish) bike to do sportive type events (nothing too serious ..will never get anywhere near winning them). Speed is good here but i'm an enthusiast thats all It's not the lightest, so not the quickest but is good once rolling. I am not a racy typebut have done a number of sportives on the Fratello and not been last !
2. long (ish) rides where comfort is required due to the length of ride in saddle and also poor road conditions. Again nothing like a 200 or 300 Audax but Maybe up to 100 miles / day I can ride over Edinburgh's cobbled roads without my teeth falling out (they do rattle a bit, though) and poor road surfaces are not a problem.
3. Light touring (ish!) Will it take a rack ? By touring I mean Credit card light for a few days - possibly a week at the most IE would like to do LEJOG at some point over about 1 week Yes, it can take a rack and mudguards with 28mm tyres.
I have tried a Dawes Galaxy - nice bike but too heavy
I liked the look of the Boardman Carbon bikes but I think they would maybe be too race oriented and have no rack eyelets
Plus I would like a bit of comfort
I have a Giant SCR2 at the moment which was bought because it has eyelets and a more upright position theoretically making it more comfortable
Cheers! Robert
The design of an 'audax-type' bike favours comfort over speed but they are still quicker than a touring bike. They are designed for all-day riding comfort, at reasonable pace.
As has been said, test as many as you can - and do try a steel frame - and titanium if you can afford/justify it
HTH
The concept of shallow head angle and large rake and trail is NOT for comfort.
It is for stability when the bike is 'top heavy', ie with loaded saddlebag, panniers and bottles of water on the handlebars.
A tourer, like the Dawes Gal will not be ridden fast. It will be ridden steady for two hours between tea stops.
A racebike, like the Tarmac SWorks will not be ridden slow. It will be ridden fast and furious for five hours non stop.
A race sports bike , like the Roubaix, will be ridden neither fast or slow, but a pace inbetweenie. It will be ridden for two to three hours between controls with the comfort and feeling of a tourer.
But be warned, if you try to ride the Roubaix down twisty hills at race-pace, you might end up in the hedge.
It is for stability when the bike is 'top heavy', ie with loaded saddlebag, panniers and bottles of water on the handlebars.
A tourer, like the Dawes Gal will not be ridden fast. It will be ridden steady for two hours between tea stops.
A racebike, like the Tarmac SWorks will not be ridden slow. It will be ridden fast and furious for five hours non stop.
A race sports bike , like the Roubaix, will be ridden neither fast or slow, but a pace inbetweenie. It will be ridden for two to three hours between controls with the comfort and feeling of a tourer.
But be warned, if you try to ride the Roubaix down twisty hills at race-pace, you might end up in the hedge.
zigzag
Veteran
steep head angle with short rake is great if you are racing and want to squeeze every bit of performance out of it. track bikes have very quick steering and such bikes are ideal for short sessions on the track.
proper racing bikes have more relaxed steering geometry which is good when you are on a bike for a few hours, the bike responds quickly, but not immediatly. racing bikes can be ridden for multi-day audax events as well, providing that the rider is fit and flexible. this is not ideal however, because rider carries some weight in a rack bag or seat bag. this sharpens the steering even more and can become annoying after few hundred kms.
currently there are plenty of bikes produced which look like racing bikes but with shallower steering angle and taller head tube (so called fitness, training, audax bikes). these bikes are good for all beginners who want a "fast" bike and are not fit/flexible enough for racing bike or have no intention to race. they are also very good for long distance cycling, where after few hundred kms slower steering becomes a benefit rather than drawback. ok, i missed sharper steering while descending down the hairpins, but they are a small part of the ride anyway. and it's safer to take it easy when going downhill.
the op didn't intend to race on his new bike; for general riding and audaxes the bike suits quite well with it's relaxed steering and tall head tube.
proper racing bikes have more relaxed steering geometry which is good when you are on a bike for a few hours, the bike responds quickly, but not immediatly. racing bikes can be ridden for multi-day audax events as well, providing that the rider is fit and flexible. this is not ideal however, because rider carries some weight in a rack bag or seat bag. this sharpens the steering even more and can become annoying after few hundred kms.
currently there are plenty of bikes produced which look like racing bikes but with shallower steering angle and taller head tube (so called fitness, training, audax bikes). these bikes are good for all beginners who want a "fast" bike and are not fit/flexible enough for racing bike or have no intention to race. they are also very good for long distance cycling, where after few hundred kms slower steering becomes a benefit rather than drawback. ok, i missed sharper steering while descending down the hairpins, but they are a small part of the ride anyway. and it's safer to take it easy when going downhill.
the op didn't intend to race on his new bike; for general riding and audaxes the bike suits quite well with it's relaxed steering and tall head tube.
