Is it the Frame or is it the Name ???

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would personally take the roubaix. I really think they are amazing bikes, comfortable and easy to ride for long distances at speed. The reputation the bike has is well deserved.
It is easier and more cost effective to upgrade components than frames, so I would personally buy the best frame set available for the money.
Specialized have a lifetime gaurentee on frames and not all manufacturers do which is worth considering.
Although the roubaix your looking at has lower end components the fact is that all bikes in this range have compromises made IMHO, if its not in the group set, it will be the wheels, the bearings or seat, bars or frame.

You said you have ridden the roubaix and like it very much..... what happens if you ride a better spec bike and like it less which one would you want?
IMHO you should be looking for the bike which makes you smile, and spec, brand, name or price does not define this alone.

 

[Grayduff]

I would personally take the roubaix. I really think they are amazing bikes, comfortable and easy to ride for long distances at speed. The reputation the bike has is well deserved.
It is easier and more cost effective to upgrade components than frames, so I would personally buy the best frame set available for the money.
Specialized have a lifetime gaurentee on frames and not all manufacturers do which is worth considering.
Although the roubaix your looking at has lower end components the fact is that all bikes in this range have compromises made IMHO, if its not in the group set, it will be the wheels, the bearings or seat, bars or frame.

You said you have ridden the roubaix and like it very much..... what happens if you ride a better spec bike and like it less which one would you want?
IMHO you should be looking for the bike which makes you smile, and spec, brand, name or price does not define this alone.

Cheers mate thanks..The Roubaix does make me smile and i think that it is the one for me, with regard to upgrading ..can i upgrade the components separately, i e Brakes, levers, front mech etc...its all confusing and to be honest not to keen on Sora `s , but cant afford to go to £1500 for the Roubaix sport compact..Cheers.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Cheers mate thanks..The Roubaix does make me smile and i think that it is the one for me, with regard to upgrading ..can i upgrade the components separately, i e Brakes, levers, front mech etc...its all confusing and to be honest not to keen on Sora `s , but cant afford to go to £1500 for the Roubaix sport compact..Cheers.

Having experienced high spec bikes such as Pinerello Dogmas which failed to make me smile, its something which I look for when selecting a bike these days. I'm current building some insane coloured spesh tarmac (which if your interested you can view the frame in my album) for no other reason than the colour makes me smile, others think its nasty and too bright but then again they don't have to ride it.
You can when the budget allows change components on a bike you enjoy and make that smile bigger. If a bike does not make you smile, changing things makes it easier to live with, makes it nicer, it makes it better... but I doubt it will ever make you smile.
Been there myself... My current bikes are great I adore the way they look, I love riding them and above all they really make me smile.

 

[amaferanga]

A decent groupset costs more than a decent frame. Sora really is sh!t compared to even Tiagra. I think you'll regret buying a bike with Sora for that sort of money. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent frame, but there's nothing special about it. Certainly nothing to justify the eye watering price for a Sora equipped bike.

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm with amaferanga on this one. 1200 quid for a Sora specced bike is madness, imho.

 

[Scruffmonster]

CAAD10 With Ultegra for that money.

Much better bike.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

A decent groupset costs more than a decent frame.

Out of curiousity how much do you think a decent frame costs, I personally find group sets to be cheaper than anything I would consider to be a decent frame.

 

[Grayduff]

I'm with amaferanga on this one. 1200 quid for a Sora specced bike is madness, imho.

Oh bloody hell

 

[Grayduff]

CAAD10 With Ultegra for that money.

Much better bike.

I am limited to je james cycles on the CWC...

 

[Andrew_P]

I was avoiding saying that about Sora, but Tiagra would be my lowest point in Shimano, well for £1200.

Do you think JEJames might do a deal on Frame only? and you buy the groupset? http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a5...pact-2x10-speed-black.html?lg=en&cr=GBP&cn=gb

I ride a Roubaix Comp 2010 and love it, cost me £1500 can't believe the 2013 prices!

 

[Andrew_P]

Or ask them to order in the SRAM Apex @ £1200?

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=55949

 

[amaferanga]

Out of curiousity how much do you think a decent frame costs, I personally find group sets to be cheaper than anything I would consider to be a decent frame.

Decent groupset >£500. Decent frame (e.g. something from Planet X or a generic Chinese carbon frame) can be had for quite a bit less. Of course if you're talking about branded frames from the fashionable re-branders then they can cost a lot more.

 

[Zakalwe]

Sora 2012 or 2013?

 

[Zakalwe]

Decent groupset >£500. Decent frame (e.g. something from Planet X or a generic Chinese carbon frame) can be had for quite a bit less. Of course if you're talking about branded frames from the fashionable re-branders then they can cost a lot more.

Would you ride a bike with a generic Chinese groupset?

 

[amaferanga]

Would you ride a bike with a generic Chinese groupset?

What's your point? If you think there's some reason not to buy an unbranded carbon frame from China then just say. Such frames are the frames that the likes of Planet X and Ribble (and many others) rebrand and sell on. Cut out the middle man and you save. Don't see a problem with that personally.