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Specialized Roubaix - Advice Needed
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OK so I have placed an order at Evans for a specialized roubaix but I am now having 2nd though due to its position. I haven't tested it yet but I was wondering if anyone has one or knows anything about them and specifically are they good for long distance triathlons? Apparently the position is very high and may not be suitable for aero bars. However the staff at Evans seem to be massively lacking in the knowledge department when it comes to road bikes and I don't want to spend 1200 on a bike that isn't suitable for what I need it for.
any help would be very much appreciated 
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I am not quite sure I understand the problem, if the bike is the right size for then it will be the right size regardless of what you do on it ..
Aero bars will fit on a standard road bike and if you need a lower riding position then this can be adapted by shifting the spacers
It's designed as a sportif bike which is what attracted me to it but from the reviews I have read people have said that it is difficult to get a good position with aero bars due to the general position being much higher than normal to make it more comfortable.
as you can probably tell I know very little about bikes and this will be my first proper road bike, as such I want to make sure that what I am buying has at least the potential to be a good bike even if I am not yet the best rider! Lol
If this is your first proper road bike then I would think that it would do the job ... however I would wait for someone with slightly more technical knowledge than 'oohh thats a pretty colour'
I hear black goes faster
it's pretty
Buggar, it only comes in white with black writing! Lmao
It is my first proper bike but at £1200 I want it to be better than just 'do the job'
Is the fact that you are buying a bikle that you've never test ridden from a shop who's staff you have no confidence in not a huge warning?
I must admit that I thought the Tarmac had the racier (is that a word) geometry of the specialised range at that price point.
Yes, apparently the Tarmac does have a racier geometry but apparently it's designed for shorter distances rather than long distance (according to Evans).
I'm going to test ride it tomorrow as it has arrived and built but obviously I can't ride it for 100 miles to test it properly. Hence why I asked for advice on the bike.
I suppose a better question would be, does anyone know of any decent road bike shops in the midlands area?
My buddy has one, It's a sportive bike with a very tall steerer tube also a very forgiving frame with Zertz inserts to soak up road Buzz so a very comfy bike for long distances but not so good for aero bars cause of the tall steerer tube if you like specialized I would cancel the order and go for a Tarmac, Evans are one up from Halfords for woeful. Sales staff, If you are spending this sort of dosh a test ride is a must, our local specialized store (Certini) loan test bikes out for a day or so
Absolute balls about Tarmacs being to "racy" for long distance it's a stiffer frame but all road bikes are fine for Ironman distance the pros use em day in day out over the Tours, it's the fit that counts that will dictate if you are comfy on it
Specialized have a number of concept stores, if there is one near you I would go to them direct
It is my first proper bike but at £1200 I want it to be better than just 'do the job'
Bloody repost
GG - not sure where you are based but I got my bike from leisurelakes bikes http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/Location/StoreDetail?storeId=22 just off the M1 near Derby/nottingham. The guys there really know their stuff.
I know someone got a bike from TFN a tri store: and was pleased with the service http://www.tfn.uk.com/
I would not buty a bike from a shop that tells you that the tarmac is designed for shorter distances as to be blunt they are talking crap.
As for midlands shops, well it's a few years since I lived there but my 2 fave shops were Red Kite in Solihull and Fred Williams in Wolverhampton.
For £1200 you can get a lot better bike than the specialised, it doesn;t offer much for the money. And you will never get a great position on it for the reasons Ridgebackmax states - it is simply too high at the front. There is a felt on the Evans site (F75) which to me looks a much beter buy for waht you want.
Or, as in effect you are buying mail order anyway why not look at what planet x/dolan/ribble can do for that sort of money.
Hmm I think I'll have a look at a specialist store.
I think there is planet x store in Sheffield...
Thanks MC I might give leisure lakes a buzz tomorrow and possibly pop over in the afternoon.
GG pedal power in Loughborough are the shiz awesome service, dont sell you stuff you don't need and will order what ever you want in - can't recommend them highly enough.
If there is s PX store near its deffo worth a look I have 2 PCs and rate them highly plus you get a great spec for your cash their Superlight Pro is light stiff and fast and takes aero bars no probs
Hmmm thats even closer buttercup.
Personally I'd never buy a bike from Evans, they're great for components and clothing but at the Halfords level for advice and sales of bikes. Seriously, you need to ride the bike, Specialized Concept stores can get any size of any bike in 24 hours, put the pedals you want on it and lend it to you for the weekend, no cost and no obligation, you'll probably get £200 of accessories thrown into the deal as well.
That said for £1200 you can get a lot more bike than a Roubaix.
I like the sound of getting more bike for that sort of money. Just seen there is a specialized concept store in Birmingham too so might go to both Loughborough and brum tomorrow. Thanks for all of the advice folks.
Your £1200 is only getting you shimano sora group set as well..This is almost bottom of the Shimano range and the same as you get on a £700 trek 1.2. If you look at the Planet X pro carbon you get a carbon bike with Shimano ultegra on one of the lightest bikes on the market.
Shimano groupsets run from 2300..Sora...Tiagra...105...Ultegra...Dura Race...so you can see that the kit is a lot better.
For your money I would go for the Planet x or the Boardman Team Carbon....both get awesome reviews and I know lots that use them with tri bars and on long sportives.
If it helps (perhaps... perhaps not) I bought a Specialized Roubaix Elite in 2008 for a similar sort of price. This was my first road bike. I stuck on some Profile Design T2 Cobra clip on aerobars and have used it in 4 iron-distance races since then. I've found it to be an awesome bike. I've now got a TT bike as well (took me five years to get one) but still love the road bike.
Ahh but Dublin is very tall and to be fair could probably crack out a fast IM on a Penny Farthing
Dublin ? !!!!
Dublin? FUNKIN YOU STUPID COMPUTER
Question to you all then - would you rather spend a chunk of money on a set of handlebars and clip ons like these puppies with a road bike you feel comfy on or would you go whole hog and just get the tt bike?
Ive got a Specialized and I like it