The Most Comfortable Roadie - Domane or Roubaix

[cosmicbike]

Having just cleared the workshop of the remaining aero-modelling bits on a well known auction site, SWMBO has agreed I can have my n+1.
Now, I bought a Trek 1.2 last year to dip my toe in toe in the world of road bikes, having previously been a hybrid/MTB person. I enjoy cycle tracks, towpaths etc, but generally these rides are with the family, so the road bike is for me on solo rides, in the long run I'd like to try audaxes.
The 1.2 has told me I enjoy the road bike, but that perhaps the Trek H2 geometry is not quite as relaxed as I would like. The bike is stock other than a change of saddle to a Charge Spoon, and a shorter 100mm stem replacing the stock 120mm as I was too stretched.
My riding in the long term is about distance, not all out speed (though I do enjoy quick 20 mile runs from time to time). The local Surrey roads also leave something to be desired, so I'm after a comfy ride.
From all I've read, the Trek Domane and the Specialized Roubaix pretty much come to the top of the list. I have 2013 Sora on the 1.2, and am happy with the quality of the shifting, but for the n+1 am looking to have a 105 groupset as a minimum.
Ignoring costs for the time being, anybody have opinions, pro's/con's for either bike? Do the Specialized 'Zertz' inserts really work well, or is the Trek IsoSpeed frame/fork a better bet? Or should I just buy a Specialized CG-R seatpost?

For what it's worth I will be choosing the carbon frame version of whichever one I go with.

 

[ianrauk]

I have a Specialized Roubaix Elite with Zertz.
I haven't ridden it in over a year due to a new (ish) bike.
Decided to dust it down and do a 100 miler today. Yegods I forgot how lush a ride it is. It really is lovely and smooth. Just tames crappy roads. I'm certainly not going to let it sit in the shed for another year that's for sure.

@Trickedem has a Trek with the Isofork thingy, and he loves it.

 

[Paul99]

Just giving you options....

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3504

 

[PaulSecteur]

Im a bit of a Roubiax fan myself. I have the SL2 frame which is getting on a bit now, so I have treated it to a few "bring her up to date" upgrades

Zipp 202s
Cobl-Gobl-R carbon seatpost
Romin Saddle with Carbon rails.

Individually they might not make much of a difference, but the amalgamation of marginal gains make her a great bike to pass the miles on.



I have read some people are buying the low end SL4 roubiax and upgrading the wheels, seatpost, saddle and groupset and making a very good bike great.

 

[monstadog]

I've got an SL4 Roubaix, bought to do some longer distance rides on . I've upgraded the wheels and changed the saddle . But I generally do this on a new bike anyway as stock wheels are typically heavy and a bit average at best, and saddles are a personal thing so you're lucky if a bike comes with one that suits you.
it's fantastically comfortable over 100 mile plus rides ( and shorter ones too!) and is a pleasure to ride. I heartily recomend

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

IMHO the Roubaix is not only exceptionally comfortable but it a bike that handles flawlessly as well, the turn in is sharp and the bike inspires confidence. It is by no means a sluggish comfy old sofa but remains lively, fast and competent.

 

[Rando]

I have very recently purchased a Trek Domane. Only been out on it twice. A 40 mile and 70 mile ride. Have to say after the 40 mile ride I didn't feel much different to the equivalent ride on my Trek Pilot but after the 70 mile ride I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh I felt. I pushed it as hard as normal so it wasn't down to taking it easy. Can only put it down to the isospeed decoupler on the Domane. It is a very nice and smooth ride. I cannot compare it to a Roubaix though as I have never ridden one. I think either bike along with others like the Cannondale Synapse would all give equally nice rides. I went with Trek as I already had one and am happy with the quality and so just opted for the same brand again. ( I know lots of people are not very fond of Treks but each to their own I say). Enjoy which ever you decide on.

 

[videoman]

Recently purchased a Trek Domane 2.0 and I am very pleased with it so far and find it very comfortable during the short rides I have managed on it. The only downside for your spec is it only has Tiagra gears and not 105 but I specifically wanted a triple chainset to help my old knees.

 

[cosmicbike]

Looks like a test ride of both then.
I can get a 2013 Domane 4.5 with Ultegra throughout for £1600, the 2013 Roubaix with Ultegra for £2000 which is more than I was budgeting for.
Of course I could get the base Roubaix for £1150 and upgrade over time...

 

[jowwy]

Looks like a test ride of both then.
I can get a 2013 Domane 4.5 with Ultegra throughout for £1600, the 2013 Roubaix with Ultegra for £2000 which is more than I was budgeting for.
Of course I could get the base Roubaix for £1150 and upgrade over time...

personally if its the SL4 Roubaix then its a no brainer for me - get it, ride it, love it, enjoy it......then when you need to, upgrade the components and love it all over again - the frame on that bike is immense

 

[MikeG]

SL4 Roubaix for me. Far and away the most comfortable of the dozen or so bikes I test rode before buying. I've done nearly 2000 miles on it since March, and can confirm that despite having the crappiest tarmac outside Africa in this area, I hardly feel a bump, yet the thing is fast and responsive. The compliance under your backside makes it feel like you have a sprung seat-post, yet the rigidity along the line of transmission makes this a very efficient bike. The others I tested, including a Trek Domane, felt really really harsh in comparison, jittery and nervous on even slightly poor surfaces.

I did an audax a few weeks ago on rough-as-old-boots lanes around south Essex, and the guys I was riding with all wanted to buy my bike off me before I'd finished the ride, despite being on more expensive bits of kit. BTW, don't get hung up on the spec of the shifters, etc. It makes bugger all difference other than in bragging rights.

 

[TigerT]

Roubaix SL4 for me. I looked at a Trek, but for me the Roubaix felt comfortable. I have a few leg and back problems and it's been great with no comfort issues. Riding so far has been on a mix of Tarmac and a few rougher tracks that I would normally reserve for my hybrid and it's been excellent.

 

[SteCenturion]

Trek's Domane has what is called an Iso Speed De-Coupler.

Nothing to do with the fork & I only know as I am an avid reader of cycling mags.

Has received rave reviews all over the cycling press since it's launch.

No doubt the Spesh is fantastic too.

Without 1st hand experience of either, not much to add apart from - go ride 'em.

 

[cosmicbike]

Took the Trek out for a ride today. Tried in both a 54cm and 56cm frame, definitely the 56 for me. Big thank you to the chap at East Street Cycles in Walton, no hard sell which was nice. Even on a very rough, cobble like side road the Domane was very comfortable. The 2013 4.5 option is no more, so looking at £1800 for a 105 equipped carbon 4.3 version, looks really nice in the charcoal colour too. Has the biggest bottom bracket I have ever seen!! Shame about the price tag..

Also looked at the Specialised Roubaix SL4 at Cyclesurgery. Feels nice, great colour again, and even the bottom spec Sora equipped machine has internal cable routing. No test ride as the bike need finishing (cables not finished and so on),but had a good 'feel' to it. Have been offered a test ride but declined, simply because if I take the Specialised route it will be from Evans who will give me £150 for taking in an old hack bike in exchange, so didn't feel it was the right thing to do. Testing a Roubaix at Evans tomorrow and will go from there. The 105 equipped Roubaix is £1600, taking off the £150 puts it ahead simply on price....

One more thrown in the mix. I can get a Domane 4.5 via the C2W scheme, which makes a £2100 bike that bit cheaper....

 

[stevede]

Bought an SL4 Sport with 105 recently on C2W. Very pleased with it, rides nice and certainly looks the part. Pure luck & timing saw me bag a virtually unused 11spd full Ultegra groupset which netted out at sub £200 when I sold my 100 mile old 105 kit & FSA crank. Bought some RS81's last week and now have what I think is a perfect (for me) bike. Without factoring selling the Axis 2 wheel's, and including the C2W discount, it stands me at sub £1600 with all the upgrades. Cracking value IMO.

Can't comment on the Trek, but one very happy Roubaix owner here