Six years of carbon frame evolution..... quite a difference.
- Thread starter Globalti
- Start date
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
Aren't you supposed to haggle about the price before the sale!
Yes - photographs, please!
OP
OP
Globalti
Legendary Member
Done the deed! The Specialized Concept store guys gave me 12.5% discount, which was more than I expected and they changed the white saddle and bar tape for black AND they measured me and set the bike up to my measurements. I didn't expect all that and probably wouldn't have got it from my LBS.
2006 Roubaix Comp:
2013 Roubaix Comp:
I've already fitted my old Charge Knife saddle as the BG saddle wasn't as comfortable or light. I'm going to fit some CNC machined Planet X brakes as they're more than 100 gms lighter than the Ultegras. I'm going to transfer the FSA crankset over if possible as that's lighter than the Ultegra crankset. All the heavier stuff will go on the old Roubaix, which now fits my son so he will use it as a best bike and in winter it will get Crud guards and become my winter trainer.
The new Roubaix has a 10mm shorter stem and a good inch less reach on the bars so we'll see if that sorts my long ride backache. The rear brake cable is internal but isn't continuous outer but is still quite soft because of the twisty route at the front. The cables are Jagwire. I haven't ridden it any distance yet but if it's as comfortable as the SL2 I borrowed last week it will be superb. Looking at these pics I can see I've still got to fettle the seat and bar angles.
Whaddya think?
2006 Roubaix Comp:
2013 Roubaix Comp:
I've already fitted my old Charge Knife saddle as the BG saddle wasn't as comfortable or light. I'm going to fit some CNC machined Planet X brakes as they're more than 100 gms lighter than the Ultegras. I'm going to transfer the FSA crankset over if possible as that's lighter than the Ultegra crankset. All the heavier stuff will go on the old Roubaix, which now fits my son so he will use it as a best bike and in winter it will get Crud guards and become my winter trainer.
The new Roubaix has a 10mm shorter stem and a good inch less reach on the bars so we'll see if that sorts my long ride backache. The rear brake cable is internal but isn't continuous outer but is still quite soft because of the twisty route at the front. The cables are Jagwire. I haven't ridden it any distance yet but if it's as comfortable as the SL2 I borrowed last week it will be superb. Looking at these pics I can see I've still got to fettle the seat and bar angles.
Whaddya think?
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
I like it, but that will surprise no-one!
Andrew_P
In between here and there
Very nice, amazing how old fashioned the 2006 looks side by side with the 2013. Be interesting how you feel on it in comparison test rides seldom give you the real long term use feel for a bike. Quite surprised you got 12.5% from a Concept store, will keep that in mind if I ever take the plunge on the Specialized kit I have my eye on!!
Personally I would leave the Ultegra kit for purely aesthetic reasons, as a Shimano fanboy..
Enjoy this weekend on it and looking forward to your report.
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
Looks fantastic.. you can see how the bike has evolved rather than being changed radically easy year.
Looks fantastic though, I would personally keep the ultegra crank as they are reasonably stiff. I'm not convinced about the FSA cranks in this regard.
Lovely bike, do report back with your experiences in the difference between the bikes.
Looks fantastic though, I would personally keep the ultegra crank as they are reasonably stiff. I'm not convinced about the FSA cranks in this regard.
Lovely bike, do report back with your experiences in the difference between the bikes.
OP
OP
Globalti
Legendary Member
Thanks for all the nice comments. Yes I transferred the Ksyrium SLs straight over, the standard DT Swiss wheels aren't anything special and the Espoir Elite tyres are awful, only 60 tpi and really dull. They definitely economise on the tyre and wheel package.
So how does 2013 feel compared with 2006? Well the first thing you notice if you jump on a modern carbon frame, Roubaix or the Tarmac I also tested, is how precise they feel. The acceleration and climbing are good as you would expect and the bike holds a line fantastically well, especially in corners. On downhills it really shines; it will carve a line like a good pair of skis so that you can really feel the tyres doing their stuff. This must be where a quality tyre with a good tpi becomes worthwhile. On fast twisty descents the 2013 bike just begs you to go faster, it brings out the nutter in you. Then when you brake there's no drama, it simply stops quickly and precisely, presumably thanks to the stiffer head tube area and better torsional stiffness. The ride feels stiff but not at all punishing, you feel worn-out top-dressing but it doesn't shake you up.
When you get off the 2013 bike and back onto the 2006, it feels good and smooth but vague in comparison; you just don't feel as if you're in contact with the road through the bike in the same way.
Just done a slow 25 mile family cruise on the flat Fylde and can't wait to do a good long ride tomorow then a hooligan ride on a weekday eveing with my very fast and competitive cycling buddy; that will be when the bike gets pushed hard and the additional stiffness should count.
Edit: I've just realised also that when you're cruising along and messing about, looking behind you or reaching for a bottle or dodging potholes it almost seems to look after itself, it's like riding a motorbike because it feels so stable and just carries on in the same line. This must be because changing the distribution of your weight doesn't upset the frame. I can suddenly understand how the pros seem to get away with dressing and undressing on the move, handing bottles over, grabbing car door frames, all kinds of stunts that would upset a less stiff bike.
So how does 2013 feel compared with 2006? Well the first thing you notice if you jump on a modern carbon frame, Roubaix or the Tarmac I also tested, is how precise they feel. The acceleration and climbing are good as you would expect and the bike holds a line fantastically well, especially in corners. On downhills it really shines; it will carve a line like a good pair of skis so that you can really feel the tyres doing their stuff. This must be where a quality tyre with a good tpi becomes worthwhile. On fast twisty descents the 2013 bike just begs you to go faster, it brings out the nutter in you. Then when you brake there's no drama, it simply stops quickly and precisely, presumably thanks to the stiffer head tube area and better torsional stiffness. The ride feels stiff but not at all punishing, you feel worn-out top-dressing but it doesn't shake you up.
When you get off the 2013 bike and back onto the 2006, it feels good and smooth but vague in comparison; you just don't feel as if you're in contact with the road through the bike in the same way.
Just done a slow 25 mile family cruise on the flat Fylde and can't wait to do a good long ride tomorow then a hooligan ride on a weekday eveing with my very fast and competitive cycling buddy; that will be when the bike gets pushed hard and the additional stiffness should count.
Edit: I've just realised also that when you're cruising along and messing about, looking behind you or reaching for a bottle or dodging potholes it almost seems to look after itself, it's like riding a motorbike because it feels so stable and just carries on in the same line. This must be because changing the distribution of your weight doesn't upset the frame. I can suddenly understand how the pros seem to get away with dressing and undressing on the move, handing bottles over, grabbing car door frames, all kinds of stunts that would upset a less stiff bike.
If you're worried about weight, lose the saddlebag, frame-mount pump & headset spacers first?
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
How does it compare to the sl2?
