Relaxed Geometry Road bike

[Anyon]

I am training for a charity cycle through northern France at the end of August (St Malo-Le Mans-Renne-St Malo)
My current stead is a Specailized Secteur (Base model) which is roughly 6 years old and all completely as purchased. It is showing signs of general wear and tear, (small rust and oxidation on some parts) but on the whole not bad.

I am in 2 minds as to either upgrade (wheels, chain, cassette and brakes) to better parts, or whether to treat myself to a new one.

I am big into preparation and making sure everything is ok, so hence why doing it now so I can iron out any potential problems before I go, but I also need peace of mind on the trip that if I go for the upgrade route that nothing is going to let me down.

I have seen the Roubaix sl4 sport Compact in the lbs and have a slight fixation on it.
I can’t take it out for a long ride, only up and down the road outside the shop, so I can’t get a genuine feel for it. Does anyone have any first hand reviews on this bike.

My ultimate question is. Should I spend on upgraded parts (and if so what to), or relegate my Secteur to a winter bike and indulge in a new Roubaix.
(I should add that I am 5’9 and around the 100Kg area, so that might be an issue on the Carbon frame?)

 

[Cyclist33]

On the one hand, you totally don't need a new bike. If you take your Secteur down the local bike shop and get them to tune it up where needed (ie a standard service) then it will be fine. A new chain will probably be great. Wheels can be had for a hundred quid from Merlin Cycles. Don't see why you would need new brakes per se. Brake pads can be got for about a tenner and you can fit them yourself.

On the OTHER hand, the Roubaix SL4 Sport is by all accounts fantastic, and roughly the same geometrically as the Secteur so should fit you okay. And you can totally justify getting it if you're doing a long charity bike ride.

(Mind you, you could just give the charity the £1600 asking price and then ride on the Secteur!)

Stu

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I say stick with the Secteur and give it some TLC - a full service and new chain and cassette if needed.

I have a 4 year old Giant Defy and it goes where I go - done a couple of 100 milers now - its comfy and I am used to it.

 

[Onyer]

I bought the Roubaix Sport last year and did LEJOG on it. A great buy. Very smooth and you won't get the road vibrations as you would with the Sectaur. Having said that I have just come back from France and after 480 miles cycling over 6 days I can say that the roads are much smoother than the UK. In the first two days I counted two potholes. (Round here I can count two potholes evey ten yards!)

 

[vickster]

Your size and weight won't be any issue for a carbon frame, even the wheels should be fine

I'd say get the new bike, it's summer after all. Use the other in the winter

 

[uclown2002]

Without reading all your post, my advice is get a new bike.

It's the rules innit!

 

[MattMM]

1. Rule #12
   // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
   While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
   

 

[stuee147]

to be honest i dont think you can ever have full peace of mind on things like bikes you could buy a new one only to find a fault after a few days, weeks or months.
and the same goes for new parts even top of the range parts can still fail sometimes.
i always think of 2 things when doing a trip like that
1. how easy is it to get parts for
2. how comfortable am i with it

i would say stick to a frame and set up your used to even a slight change can show you new muscles and aches you never new existed

but thats just my thoughts

stuee

 

[Broadside]

Buy the Roubaix, all the geometry comfort of the Secteur with the benefit of moving up to full carbon with reduced road buzz not to mention the technology advancements of the SL4 design.

I went from a Secteur on to a Tarmac and love it, the Tarmac is actually just as comfortable as the Secteur if you set it up right.

 

[cosmicbike]

Not ridden the Roubaix though it is on the list. Try a Trek Domane too, very comfy they are.

 

[Anyon]

Quick update,

I opted to go for the new bike (Roubaix Sl4 Sport) which I collected on the weekend, but managed to get out for an hour or so last night.

All i can say is WOW, the Carbon, with the Zertz inserts make riding on the very poor roads here very comfortable ride. The difference between the ride in Alloy (Admitedly 6 year difference) and Carbon is light years. Also the ease of keeping the rolling speed up and the advantage in putting the power down in accelerating is so much better.

Thank you all for the helpful coments and if you are looking at buying a Roubaix as your next bike, i can whole heartedly recommend this bike, you wont be disappointed.