Six years of carbon frame evolution..... quite a difference.

[Globalti]

I couldn't agree more! But I still reckon that at 57 I can't sustain the same position for four hours on a bike as I could have done at 27!

I was at the Harrogate store this afternoon and they mentioned the framesets but not the discounts. Hmmmm....

 

[ColinJ]

My frame size is 56, I'm assured there's plenty of stock in the UK although one LBS owner has told me there's a shortage and a new FCL is arriving next week.

Roubaix Comp and Elite are compacts, Roubaix Sport comes in a choice of compact or triple and the base Roubaix is compact.

I think I'm heading towards an SL3 Comp at the moment. I'll put my Ksyrium SLs on it and put the new wheels on the old 2006 Roubaix and use it for winter.

I thought you were the same height as me - 1.86 m or 6' 1". If so, I would expect a 58 cm frame to fit you better. If you went for a larger frame, I think that would raise your bars relative to the saddle and increase your comfort level.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I was at the Harrogate store this afternoon and they mentioned the framesets but not the discounts. Hmmmm....

Here is a 2011 SL3 S-Works Tarmac frameset from a concept store. SL3 Roubaix go for the same kinda money... You obviously have limited choice in colours, but if you can get your size you will have an amazing frame set... non s-works frame are even cheaper.
Available in all concept stores.. just ask

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Specialized/S-Works-Tarmac-SL3-Frameset-2011/6FJ

 

[Globalti]

I thought you were the same height as me - 1.86 m or 6' 1". If so, I would expect a 58 cm frame to fit you better. If you went for a larger frame, I think that would raise your bars relative to the saddle and increase your comfort level.

Hi Colin, no, I'm 6' or even - shock horror - 5' 11" as I seemed to be last time I measured myself properly. My 2006 Roubaix is a 56 and fits me well.

 

[ColinJ]

Hi Colin, no, I'm 6' or even - shock horror - 5' 11" as I seemed to be last time I measured myself properly. My 2006 Roubaix is a 56 and fits me well.

Really? That's a surprise - in the photo of us on that ride a few years ago, you looked about the same height as me! Perhaps we were not standing on level ground.

Whichever bike you get in the end, I'd suggest leaving the steerer long and experimenting with spacers above and below the stem to get the most comfortable position. Once you are certain that the bars are at the right height then you can trim the steerer and take out the spare spacers.

 

[Globalti]

No I reckon we're about the same height. I've just test-ridden a 58.5 and it was definitely too big. Felt too big and the shopkeeper and his mechanic watched me on it and agreed.

 

[ColinJ]

No I reckon we're about the same height. I've just test-ridden a 58.5 and it was definitely too big. Felt too big and the shopkeeper and his mechanic watched me on it and agreed.

Well I was 6' 1.5" tall when I was 30 so I've already knocked 0.5" off that. I can't believe I've shrunk another inch or two without noticing it! My leg measurement is about the same as yours - 32-ish inches.

Hang on ... Right, I just measured myself 3 times, standing in a doorway and marking the top of my head against the frame - 6' 1", 6' 1", 6' 1.5". That was using a metal tape measure so it should be pretty accurate.

I ride 58 cm frames with 11 cm 'flipped' stems. Flipping a stem gives a higher position and also brings the bars back a bit. I can ride a 56 cm frame but to make it feel right, I need to use a 13 cm stem. What size stem are you using?

(I'm not saying that your bike is not set up correctly for you; I'm just curious to see where the difference comes in. I always felt cramped on the 56 cm bike that I rode back in 1989. I ended up buying a 60-61 cm bike but that turned out too to be too big for me so I had to put a 9 cm stem on that.)

 

[DrLex]

I'll add another data point- I bought a 58cm Roubaix SL3 after trying both 56 & 58cm, and I'm 6' with a 32-3" inseam, (according to the labels in the trousers that fit)- 56 just felt a little cramped. 2,000 or so miles later, and I don't regret the selection.

 

[Globalti]

Well this is interesting.... as you know I've had a 2012 Roubaix SL2 on test for a few days and one thing I noticed on Sunday was.. no backache! I put this down to the smoother ride (kept thinking I had a flattie) but last night I stood it up alongside my 2006 Roubaix and did some measuring. The old Roubaix has, I believe, the same frame dimensions but a 110mm stem while the new has a 105mm stem. More significantly the Easton aero bars on my old Roubaix have a 4" reach while the Specialized bars on the new have a 3" reach, so the "cockpit" area of the newer bike is considerably less stretched out, though it doesn't really feel more upright. I wonder if the slightly less stretched position has saved me from the backache, which dogs me on long rides?

Am still in an agony of indecision though - the SL3 in the red colour, which I like, or the SL4 in the silver, which I don't like?

Edit: the decision has nearly been made for me: the Harrogate Concept store only has the Comp SL3 in 56 and having now decided, I want it for the weekend as the forecast isn't bad.

 

[ColinJ]

Am still in an agony of indecision though - the SL3 in the red colour, which I like, or the SL4 in the silver, which I don't like?

Edit: the decision has nearly been made for me: the Harrogate Concept store only has the Comp SL3 in 56 and having now decided, I want it for the weekend as the forecast isn't bad.

Go for it!

I like red bikes too. I've had a few over the years, including my current Cannondale.

 

[mattobrien]

ive never ridden a bike that just begs you to ride it faster and harder until i rode a Tarmac.

You should try my Scapin, I'm still trying to find out where they put the motor as it seems to go faster than my current level of fitness should allow.

 

[DrLex]

Go for it!

I like red bikes too. I've had a few over the years, including my current Cannondale.

Plus, red bikes are faster - it's a fact.

 

[ColinJ]

Plus, red bikes are faster - it's a fact.

Well, mine certainly is ... downhill!

 

[grumpyoldgit]

I am 6' & ride a 56.

 

[Andrew_P]

Edit: the decision has nearly been made for me: the Harrogate Concept store only has the Comp SL3 in 56 and having now decided, I want it for the weekend as the forecast isn't bad.

So did you press the buy now button!?