Specialized roubaix or cervelo RS

vision267

I want a comfortable bike something that can soak up the bumps.First I was thinking about the giant defy advanced,but something about giants just does not appeal to me.

The roubaix looks great has got some great reviews and I like the look of it.So I managed to get a short test ride,and I was a little disappointed to be honest.It felt a little dead,but on along spins I bet it would feel great though.

At present I have not been able to get a test run on the cervelo.Its an old mans bike I hear,I am not young and don't really care what others think.So today while browsing on both the cervelo and specialized site,and looking up both geomentries I noticed that the roubaix head tube is longer than the RS.

So really is the RS an old mans bike?I am not so sure and the cervelo is an old mans bike.Now if I can get a test run one one perhaps I might change my mind.I am hoping I might be pleasantly surprised,the roubaix was pretty dissapointing and the RS must be better.

brayblue24

I'm on my second Roubaix and I love it. I have a triple for climbing reasons. It's a great workhorse great for sportives etc but don't expect to win too many TTs on one

vision267

brayblue 24 wrote: »

I'm on my second Roubaix and I love it. I have a triple for climbing reasons. It's a great workhorse great for sportives etc but don't expect to win too many TTs on one

That's good to know,why are you on your second Roubaix?I prefer the look of the roubaix to that of the cervelo.I always think specialized bikes look the business.

Maybe I am a little harsh on the roubaix,I have a feeling the cervelo might be a better bike for me.It has some great reviews as well,however reviews on the net are not really reliable.I'am not in a real hurry there is a recession on so I'll take my time and look for some value for money.Ok I'am looking for a great deal and l am cheap.

templer27

I was also thinking of the RS,and started a thread some months ago on this very subject.Well a got a few replies and according to some the cervelo is overrated.Poor power transfer and suspect finishing put me right off.

Since then I've not even thought about getting one.I would and its just my opinion ask you to try the defy advanced.Its a real beauty the finish on the frame is first class.But its just my opinion the roubaix is a stunner as well.

brayblue24

I suppose it depends what you want it for. I'm 43 so use the triple because even at the best of times the hills were not my friend but that said I entered my first TT last year and it let me down badly. The outer ring is a 50 and between us we just couldn't come up with the goods. But for everyday use commuting/training/sportives I can't fault it so my next bike will also be a Roubaix. Also the forks have the Zertz inserted which cushion impact

Rapidmike

I have a roubaix for sale on adverts ,a58 cm if size is right have a look .
Love the bike , I bought it for the comfort and it delivers in spades .I did
200km spins on it last year in comfort and speed.it got me interested in racing
and I wanted to do some races this year so I bought a giant tcr for the more head down position !!! Not nearly as comfy but I lost 3 stone last year and got
strong enough to chance the more agressive bike ,
I had intended keeping the roubaix for the longer tours but long with MTb and the wifes bike I don't really have room for it.

Seweryn

vision267 wrote: »

I want a comfortable bike something that can soak up the bumps.

I was looking for a very same bike - I wanted something comfortable enough with good performance. I was split between the Rubaix and a Cannondale Synapse (the RS was too expensive). The Synapse looked like a perfect comfortable bike with very good reviews and I almost bought one, but then after reading a lot and looking at bikes, I got a Cannondale SuperSix. Really nice bike, still comfortable, but higher performer than the Synapse and Rubaix.
However, if you put comfort as your top priority, try out the Synapse. It is a very good machine. They make two versions - fully carbon fibre frame and an aluminium / CF combination.

vision267

Rapid Mike wrote: »

I have a roubaix for sale on adverts ,a58 cm if size is right have a look .
Love the bike , I bought it for the comfort and it delivers in spades .I did
200km spins on it last year in comfort and speed.it got me interested in racing
and I wanted to do some races this year so I bought a giant tcr for the more head down position !!! Not nearly as comfy but I lost 3 stone last year and got
strong enough to chance the more aggressive bike ,
I had intended keeping the roubaix for the longer tours but long with MTn and the wife's bike I don't really have room for it.

Oh a 58 is just too big shame though.Giant defy looks interesting,I like the look of it.The cervelo RS,does anyone even own a RS!Doesn't seem to be a popular bike and that's a really bad sign for me.

I looked for a defy advanced about a year ago,seems they are scarce now its on my radar again.At the moment its between the defy and the roubaix.

templer27

vision267 wrote: »

Oh a 58 is just too big shame though.Giant defy looks interesting,I like the look of it.The cervelo RS,does anyone even own a RS!Doesn't seem to be a popular bike and that's a really bad sign for me.

I looked for a defy advanced about a year ago,seems they are scarce now its on my radar again.At the moment its between the defy and the roubaix.

The cervelo RS is probably a brilliant bike.I had some bad replies when I started a thread some time ago so dont let that put you off.

It did compete in the Paris Roubaix so it must have a lot of quality.Just a little bit of regret that I never tried one.You also get a life time warranty on the frame,does that make the bike seem more appealing bet it does.There is something about cervelo bikes that appeals to the snob in me as well.However because I am bloody slow I would look ridiculous on one so I decided against it for this reason.Some lads who own them seem to be a bit too serious for me.Cervelo cyclists never salute me on the road and maybe they think they are better than everyone else.

amjon.

templer27 wrote: »

Some lads who own them seem to be a bit too serious for me.Cervelo cyclists never salute me on the road and maybe they think they are better than everyone else.

I hate that type of prickolgy. Look at me, I'm such a pro I can't even wave at you. FOAD

Smithzer

Cervelo's are not noted for their comfort
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056064633

vision267

Surely the RS is a comfortable bike?What have l learned since l started this thread.

1) The roubaix is a beautifully engineered bike,looks great is a comfortable and it seems durable.
2) The defy advanced is beautifully engineered bike,and looks even better and is durable.
3) the RS is ............................................ bike and ......................... anyone who has a cervelo thinks he or she is better than anyone else.
4) Oh the cannondale synapse is also a great bike etc.

My conclusion is no one rides a RS,and if they did they wouldn't bother to reply to me. I must try the RS out of bloody mindedness if nothing else.

Quigs Snr

amjon. wrote: »

I hate that type of prickolgy. Look at me, I'm such a pro I can't even wave at you. FOAD

I have a Cervelo R3SL, Cervelo S1 and Cervelo P3C (and a few other brands). The S1 is stiff as a plank, all magazine reviews say that every bike is stiff yet forgiving. The S1 is stiff and unforgiving. No mercy. Just the way I like it. The R3 SL despite an identical geometry is a little more comfy, perhaps due to its lighter weight, or perhaps due to the qualities inherent in its tube design. All I can tell you is that I don't quite get as much trauma and shock through my bunghole on it. I imagine the RS is similar.

And by the way. I wave at all fellow cyclists. Even if I am on a Cervelo. I tend to find that the better equipped cyclists and older cyclists tend to be the friendliest on the road. Whilst the GAA sock wearing Giant Defy 4 riding freds tend to look at you like you just invited them and their mother to a threeway round the back of the bikesheds when you wave at them. But again thats a generalisation. I have never noticed riders of a specific bike brand displaying any kind of group behaviour.

cormpat

My mate has an RS, he's happy as larry with it & he's one of the friendliest people you could ever meet!

vision267

compat wrote: »

My mate has an RS, he's happy as larry with it & he's one of the friendliest people you could ever meet!

My conclusions are in fairness a huge generalization.I have heard from people who own a Roubaix and someone who has seen (although they seem to be very rare) the giant.

I am very curious how the RS is on the road?If its very stiff like the s series l am not interested at all.I have read some of the thread about cervelo's are not comfortable.

Its just that reviews from magazines and from various people on different forums state the RS is a very comfortable bike.

To change subject is there a cannondale dealer in Munster? Synapse looks nice as well.I had a cannondale in the middle 80s and was very fond of it.

2 Wheels Good

vision267 wrote: »

My conclusions are in fairness a huge generalization.I have heard from people who own a Roubaix and someone who has seen (although they seem to be very rare) the giant.

I am very curious how the RS is on the road?If its very stiff like the s series l am not interested at all.I have read some of the thread about cervelo's are not comfortable.

Its just that reviews from magazines and from various people on different forums state the RS is a very comfortable bike.

To change subject is there a cannondale dealer in Munster? Synapse looks nice as well.I had a cannondale in the middle 80s and was very fond of it.

I think Cycleways are the only dealers in S. Ireland, called last week about the CAAD 10 (Gets great reviews btw)

Murph100

The RS is grand and was pretty unique when it came out, but its ancient at this stage and pretty poor value for money unless you can find a cheap 2009 frame or suchlike. The RS reviews are also of their time, and a bit OTT. The RS is NOT a comfortable R3, sure its really comfortable but it doesn't have half the power transfer despite what the reviews say.

Also watch out for the Cervelo geomtery, it doesn't suit everybody.

So many new contenders have entered the market since then, offering a much better alternative IMO.

The Synapse & Roubaix are definitely a better bet by todays standards, especially the Synapse.

You really should look at the Bianchi Infinito, amazing frame, very comfortable but very good power transfer, great handling and much better looking not to mention its heritage.

Just me 2C

Lumen

IMO perceived ride quality is largely a function of speed, for several reasons.

Firstly, the more force you put through the pedals the less weight remains to be supported by your hands and arse.

Secondly, how the bike handles small surface imperfections is more of an issue at low speed. At high speed, you tend to float over the holes rather than drop into them.

So if you're slow enough to care about frameset ride quality, just stick some wider tyres on it and drop the pressures a little, and if you're so heavy that you need rock-solid tyres to avoid pinch flats, go on a diet.

Basically, people stumping up ~€2000 for a frameset shouldn't be bitching about low speed ride quality (that includes me, I have a massive equipment:talent ratio).

In an case, I've owned three carbon frames (Focus Cayo, Planet-X Stealth, and Scott Addict) and all of them felt absolutely fine at speed, to the extent that I probably wouldn't choose a carbon bike based on ride quality. Other criteria (fit, aesthetics, tyre clearance, brand connotations) take over. But other things being equal, bikes with more compact geometry might have better ride quality because there's more exposed seatpost.

niceonetom

Quigs Snr wrote: »

...I have never noticed riders of a specific bike brand displaying any kind of group behaviour.

People who own planet-Xs tend to spend a lot of time on the internet.

Lumen

Quigs Snr wrote: »

I have never noticed riders of a specific bike brand displaying any kind of group behaviour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1W728WPUgA

vision267

Murph100 wrote: »

The RS is grand and was pretty unique when it came out, but its ancient at this stage and pretty poor value for money unless you can find a cheap 2009 frame or suchlike. The RS reviews are also of their time, and a bit OTT. The RS is NOT a comfortable R3, sure its really comfortable but it doesn't have half the power transfer despite what the reviews say.

Also watch out for the Cervelo geometry, it doesn't suit everybody.

So many new contenders have entered the market since then, offering a much better alternative IMO.

The Synapse & Roubaix are definitely a better bet by today's standards, especially the Synapse.

You really should look at the Bianchi Infinito, amazing frame, very comfortable but very good power transfer, great handling and much better looking not to mention its heritage.

Just me 2C

Thanks Murphy really honest,just what l wanted ,the more l look at the synapse the more l like it.The RS is not an option at all,its web site is so impressive it almost had me convinced.Bianchi infinito is without doubt the most beautiful of all the bike's a real stunner.

Something really really cool about Italian bikes,Bianchi seem to be around forever so they MUST be doing something right.This requires some more thought,like I said I am in no hurry at all.I like the Roubaix as well so much choice it is a buyers market is it not.

Lumen

vision267 wrote: »

Something really really cool about Italian bikes,Bianchi seem to be around forever so they MUST be doing something right.

The Epic Cycles website usually has a nice range of pretty bikes. They're quite good for custom builds too.