Carbon Conundrum ??

[Mr Haematocrit]

Off Topic slightly, but to do with your long post on this subject. Is your Roubaix an S-Works (not sure it needed asking!) and what would the difference be between a Comp and the S-Works?

I don't have a Roubaix at the moment (although this could change) I have however ridden the Expert, S-Works and Comp and find them all to be exceptionally good bikes. They are responsive and comfortable.
The biggest difference in terms of feel is that S-Works feels as if it requires less effort to gather pace, it feels more lively but this is due to the weight and better wheelset imho.. I would most certainly be really happy with a Roubaix comp myself.
Equally the frames still have a lifetime guarantee which gives me confidence.
I think you can get better specification bikes than the Roubaix for the money, but I'm not sure specification guarantees a good experience or feeling.

One thing you may not be aware of is that if you go to your nearest Specialized concept store they can get a loan bike in for you which costs about £25 which you can keep for a weekend (you have to leave a deposit) and this allows you to see what the bike is like to live with, if you buy a bike they discount you the money for the test bike. Better to lose £25 than end up with a bike you do not like to live with imho. So its well worth doing.

The biggest decider for me is the service that the LBS dealer and bike company will offer me, Im a specialized rider and loyal to them because ultimately they are loyal to me, they go above and beyond for me and value my money and custom which is really important

 

[Andrew_P]

Thats interesting, I didn't have time on Sunday but I was in the Sigma store and was going to try and find their Specialized Concept store. I shouldn't really be looking but the appeal of the S-Works is that it can bought as a frameset. The only thing I am not keen on is how dirty the Zertz get and how impossible they are to get clean again. Mine have a horrible yellow tinge to them. Also it can be bought in Black & Red, unfortunenately I am not overly keen on the Specialized S-Works Red & White (sorry lol I know you have a Tarmac being built up!)

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

unfortunenately I am not overly keen on the Specialized S-Works Red & White (sorry lol I know you have a Tarmac being built up!)

That's fine, my bikes a tango orange although you can't really see it in the pix.. but I equally appreciate its not everyone's cup of tea.
Im equally not a big fan of the red and white, not sure why though. The best colour Roubaix is the project black imho
I know you can get a zerts cleaner, not sure how good it is though.

If your heading over to Sigma give me a shout, ill come over and grab a coffee with you and say hi (unless you can't be seen with people who have nasty coloured bikes.. lol)

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Is carbon that much better/different or is it simply a personal preference or i have to have one of those choice??
My Budget is £1000( can go a little more) and i have been looking at lots of reviews and trying out the Giant Defy 1,Trek Domane 2, Boardman road team and the Caad8 all with Shimano 105`s and think i prefer the Giant Defy 1, however i also tried out the Spesh Roubaix Sport at £1500 and liked that also.

My Question is am i being blinded by the Carbon myth or should i sick with Aluminium and upgrade wheels etc as i go along OR will i need/want a Carbon in the near future..

Cheers in advance for comments on Carbon or any of the bikes above.

I think you just have to try for yourself.

I have ridden steel, ally and carbon frames and if I was to ride them all blindfolded (tricky) I would have no idea which was which.

Same with Tiagra/105/Ultegra.

Same with v.light wheels vs stock fodder.

Maybe I am just insensitive!

 

[Kestevan]

I bought a Planet X RT-57 in October. and I have to jump in and say my dealings with Planet X were the exact opposite of Rob3rts. All the staff I dealt with were pleasant, knowledgable and appeared more than interested in making me feel good about spending money with them. A minor problem with the ordering (my fault) was dealt with promptly and pleasantly.

Oh - and the bikes an absolute dream.... just waiting for the weather to improve so I can ride it every-day

 

[smokeysmoo]

FYI, THESE are the bikes I've owned since 2008, 4 of them were full carbon fibre, (Focus Cayo Pro, Focus Cayo 2.0, Focus Raven Expert, Trek Madone 5.5).

I no longer own any of the cf bikes and now have an aluminium CAAD10, a steel Fuji Feather and a 20 year old steel Dawes Stratos, go figure.

There's a lot of talk about carbon being more comfortable, but IMO the right size bike, set up correctly is perfectly comfortable what ever it's made of.

FWIW my CAAD is the most comfortable bike of it's genre I've ever owned.

 

[jowwy]

Go with the defy 1 - cracking frame and components very comfortable to ride

 

[vickster]

There have been 2012 Giant Composites out there for around a grand - depending on which retailers you can access

e.g. Tiagra, but you can always upgrade the components http://www.wiggle.co.uk/giant-tcr-composite-3-2012/

Or up the road in Epsom, I spotted this

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=182157

 

[edwardd67]

I've a CADD8 but tomorrow i pick up my first Carbon bike. Will let you know how they differ.

 

[Grayduff]

I've a CADD8 but tomorrow i pick up my first Carbon bike. Will let you know how they differ.

Cheers would appreciate..

 

[Grayduff]

Nailed it down to Specialized Roubaix ( great frame, Sora components) can upgrade components at a later stage OR Giant defy 1 great reviews great components but cant upgrade frame ???.

Because of the limits on the c2ws and the LBS my company is using £1200 is the limit..

 

[Andrew_P]

I am clearly in the Roubaix camp.

Really will JE James not allow you to add cash to the purchase? The bigest downside ot upgrading Sora is it would cost a lot more as it is 9-Speed!

If your heading over to Sigma give me a shout, ill come over and grab a coffee with you and say hi (unless you can't be seen with people who have nasty coloured bikes.. lol)

Sure, but next time I am Sigma it cannot be for window shopping!! As long as you do not mind meeting someone runing Shimano 105 non electric shifting :-)

The Orange doesn't show in the pics, that has to be better than the split Red & White or Red with White branding of some of the S-Works

 

[400bhp]

I should of said i am limited to the Cycle to work scheme so Ribbles are out, Cubes are in they are great bikes..Great feedback so far
thanks guys..

So, what scheme are you on?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Sure, but next time I am Sigma it cannot be for window shopping!! As long as you do not mind meeting someone runing Shimano 105 non electric shifting :-)

The Orange doesn't show in the pics, that has to be better than the split Red & White or Red with White branding of some of the S-Works

I have no issues meeting anyone, as long as they are good company good to put faces to names as well.

 

[Grayduff]

Or a Cube agree Gtc Compact with tiagra`s