Is it worth an extra £300?

[BigAl68]

I am pretty sure the S5 fulcrums are rebadged R7 fulcrums.

 

[adamhearn]

I also haven't managed to find a link to the Fulcrum wheels so if anyone can help that would be great.

Fulcrum are a division of Campagnolo. That sparks a lot of interest as it's [sexy] Italian as opposed to [businesslike] Japanese (Shimano). Myself, I prefer quiet Shimano freehubs but perhaps I don't pedal enough The S5 is probably a Specialised specific model as Fulcrum's available to the public use "Racing x" where x is 3, 5, zero and some other numbers. One could guess that an S5 would map closely to their R5 product... these always come up as decent low end wheels.

Edit: If BigAl is correct that would be the lowest of the low end.

 

[BigAl68]

I think they are and the S4 are another OEM only wheel. They are fulcrum R3 hubs with R5 rims. This is based on research I did last year when I was offered a few pairs but in the end got Zondas on sale at 225 pounds.

 

[SteCenturion]

@ScottyB

£300, well most of this is going to be subjective & depend entirely on the views of the poster.

What I will say is that

1. Praxis Works are a high end manufacturer of cranks & chain rings, often used by racers & the wealthy to upgrade even Shimano Dura Ace & Campag Record cranks.

These will not be Praxis top of the range though.

2. I have heard of people complain about FSA gossamer before now, not often, but a google will confirm this.

I think @BigonaBianchi chainset broke in Cyprus (maybe it wasn't FSA) & I believe he had put many hard miles on that chainset too, so not really an indication towards poor quality, more maybe age & fatigue (& that's just BOAB)

Fulcram wheels are good quality & likely lighter & better quality than Axis, which helps more than anything else mentioned.

Fulcrum supply wheels to many bike manufacturers with special decals & model names, including Cube & Bianchi for example, these are re-badged standard line models & are as correctly pointed out elsewhere owned by Campagnolo.

Shimano 105 brakes, very good quality, but I couldn't say if they are better than the Axis as I have never tried Axis brakes.

You might argue that the higher spec bike will be easier to sell or retain more of it's value come re-sale time, hard to know that though.

All things considered, I would go for the Elite *upgraded* model, but I am a closet brand snob.

 

[jay clock]

I would take the cheaper one. Personally I would then whip off the brand new wheels and put them in the loft, and choose something nicer. In 1-3 years or whenever you can stick the original wheels back on and have a very saleable bike

 

[SteCenturion]

I would take the cheaper one. Personally I would then whip off the brand new wheels and put them in the loft, and choose something nicer. In 1-3 years or whenever you can stick the original wheels back on and have a very saleable bike

that's another (sensible) idea, done that with mine.

 

[Nebulous]

I've just been through a very similar process with a tarmac. The specification on those roubaix and the equivalent tarmac is very similar. I finally went for the comp at £2000 which has an ultegra gearset. I ruled out the elite quite quickly, as I didn't think it had enough over the sport. The sport came in orange, which I quite liked, though I hadn't seen it in the flesh.

Interestingly the two ranges part company at the £2000 point, with that buying you a 'disc elite' in the roubaix, with sram rival gearing. I think that is to get hydraulic discs. So for me, though an extra £300 wasn't worth it an extra £500 was! I can't see that it is for you though, unless you want discs and sram gearing.

 

[cosmicbike]

I've had my eyes on a Roubaix for a good few months now, and pleased to see the 2015 range come with the CG-R seatpost as standard which was an otherwise expensive £150 extra for me.
I'd be taking the Sport route, then putting a £300 set of wheels on it, likely handbuilts as these tend to be better value. I'm waiting for the sales though

 

[bpsmith]

I have no experience of Praxis but in my opinion FSA Gossamer is useless. As you say "lots of bikes seem to run the Gossamer" - as a cost cutting option, which will cost you extra soon after purchase.

Still waiting @Marmion ?

 

[Pheonix026]

Just bought the elite 2015 Roubaix. Going to change the tyres to Conti 4 seasons as I hate punctures and now need to know what wheels I should buy as these S5's don't get the best of reviews. I am hoping for something quick but will sacrifice speed for strength :-)

 

[outlash]

Interested to know why you wouldn't get punctures with Conti 4 seasons?

 

[spiderman2]

I am pretty sure the S5 fulcrums are rebadged R7 fulcrums.

I think you are right, my fulcrum S5 on my specialized Roubaix only lasted 2000 miles before problems with the hub , changed them for Vision wheels great upgrade.

 

[TheJDog]

I'd get the cheaper one. It's a nice colour, compared to boring boring black (I have a matt grey bike and sort of wish I didn't). Spend the £300 on a good set of wheels and tyres and the bike will be transformed. Well, it will feel better, anyway. Fulcrum 3 or Ksyriums, or something like that. £260 on wheels and tyres and £40 on 105 calipers if you feel like you'd rather have the matching groupset.

 

[vickster]

@TheJDog top second sentence

 

[Pheonix026]

Interested to know why you wouldn't get punctures with Conti 4 seasons?

Been running them the last two years and not had a puncture yet. Going to stick with them again. Cursed my self now no doubt. Only riding 100-150k's a week though I suppose.