Typhon
Senior Member
- Location
- Worcestershire
I started cycling last August and bought myself a Triban 3. Instantly I was hooked and I have a lot of plans for this year - training programmes, sportives and I am now thinking about cycling holidays. As much as I love the Triban, it was only ever intended to be an introductory bike to see if I did get addicted and now that I am, I'm starting to think about buying the carbon bike I was always going to buy for the spring time.
I went into my LBS today for something else and ended up drooling over the carbon bikes and chatting to one of the assistants about them. Both he and another worker in the shop recommended a Specialized Roubaix and saying that they both personally had one and how great it was. They only seem to sell Specialized, Focus and Trek so they were obviously not going to recommend a different brand but I have seen some very positive reviews for the Roubaix on here as well. He also said that for the £40 cost of carriage (which is refunded if you buy one), Specialized let you borrow one for the weekend which would just be great as I could really see if the bike is for me. Obviously they do test rides themselves but 20 mins in town is not the same as a weekend blasting around the country lanes, which is entirely where I cycle and what the bike would be used for.
I suppose the only thing holding me back is the fact that I still feel new to cycling and that my body is still adapting to it. I've noticed recently that I seem to be sitting further forward and supporting my weight with my core muscles rather than hunching on the handlebars. Another consideration is that I have lost 2 stone and want to and will lose another which might again affect my riding position. I don't want to spend a large amount of money to end up feeling that the bike isn't quite the right fit in the future. I suppose though that things can be tweaked e.g. stem size.
And it probably would be a lot of money if I'm honest. I kind of feel like it's "in for a penny in for a pound" . If I got the base Roubaix model it would be better than the Triban, after all it has a sora groupset, much better wheels and is much lighter just to start with. However the SL4 is a different ballgame with an even better frame, wheels and ultegra components. And I feel like if I'm going to get a new bike it really should feel a whole lot better and I want to feel like this it's the best bike that realistically I want or need. I realise there are bikes for 10k and more but unless I started doing competitions I don't think I would ever need or want one of those.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Is it too soon? Should I get a cheaper carbon or even aluminium/titanium bike and look at ones that cost £2500+ when I'm a lot more experienced cyclist? Or just wait entirely?
I went into my LBS today for something else and ended up drooling over the carbon bikes and chatting to one of the assistants about them. Both he and another worker in the shop recommended a Specialized Roubaix and saying that they both personally had one and how great it was. They only seem to sell Specialized, Focus and Trek so they were obviously not going to recommend a different brand but I have seen some very positive reviews for the Roubaix on here as well. He also said that for the £40 cost of carriage (which is refunded if you buy one), Specialized let you borrow one for the weekend which would just be great as I could really see if the bike is for me. Obviously they do test rides themselves but 20 mins in town is not the same as a weekend blasting around the country lanes, which is entirely where I cycle and what the bike would be used for.
I suppose the only thing holding me back is the fact that I still feel new to cycling and that my body is still adapting to it. I've noticed recently that I seem to be sitting further forward and supporting my weight with my core muscles rather than hunching on the handlebars. Another consideration is that I have lost 2 stone and want to and will lose another which might again affect my riding position. I don't want to spend a large amount of money to end up feeling that the bike isn't quite the right fit in the future. I suppose though that things can be tweaked e.g. stem size.
And it probably would be a lot of money if I'm honest. I kind of feel like it's "in for a penny in for a pound" . If I got the base Roubaix model it would be better than the Triban, after all it has a sora groupset, much better wheels and is much lighter just to start with. However the SL4 is a different ballgame with an even better frame, wheels and ultegra components. And I feel like if I'm going to get a new bike it really should feel a whole lot better and I want to feel like this it's the best bike that realistically I want or need. I realise there are bikes for 10k and more but unless I started doing competitions I don't think I would ever need or want one of those.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Is it too soon? Should I get a cheaper carbon or even aluminium/titanium bike and look at ones that cost £2500+ when I'm a lot more experienced cyclist? Or just wait entirely?
