Thinking of a change??

DriversEd

Hi,
First time posting in here, looking for some advice if you don't mind?

I'm relatively new to cycling, about 2 years or so, including a few months thrashing around the roads on a mountain bike like all good newbies!
I am happy on the roads, and so far, am able to pass forestry gates without wanting the head in;-)
I bought my first road bike about 14 months ago, a Specialized Roubaix SL4, 8r carbon frame.
the groupset is Sora, and the tyres and wheels are pretty basic also, but they've got me up to and over the 100k area, and I'm thinking of upgrading or changing.
upgrading is one option, and can be done relatively easily, and affordably. the bike fits me well, although I've no real comparisons, i'm comfortable and get no real issues the longer i'm in the saddle. but when I begin to count the cost of upgrading groupsets and wheels tyres etc, i'm beginning to wonder if a change might be better?
if I look at anymore endurance/comfort road bikes, i'll go cross-eyed, it gets harder the more options and makers I come across!
I would liket o go to ultegra, but at least 105, good wheels, and tyres, although i'll get a winter set of tyres also. I want a carbon frame, I think for comfort, and reduced vibration, yes? and I have a graw for disc brakes, hydraulic to be exact.
I've just test rode a couple of bikes, a giant defy, and a trek domane, and am beginning to worry, that I might not find as comfortable a bike as I have so easy?

any suggestions, or advice, it would be greatly received?

ed

Donie75

The Roubaix is a really nice frame but the main problem is the kit is fairly average. That would be a really nice bike with the latest 105 11 speed or Ultegra. Shops like Merlin do good deals on full groupsets. Then add a nice set of wheels and you'd have a lovely setup. You could keep your old wheels for winter use. You could also sell off the old groupset to help fund the upgrade.
I changed my bike recently and looked seriously at disc brakes but I came to the conclusion that there are too many different standards out there at the moment and there is no established standard. Also, there is a limited selection of wheels readily available. Maybe next time round.

Fian

You didn't specify a budget!

I have bought this recently and I am delighted with it:

http://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-cdx-3100-di2/aid:756153


Full carbon, electronic gear shifting, hydraullic disc brakes and comfort geometry. €3,200 or so including delivery. I am finding it comfortable but I am recovering from a broken arm I got just after taking delivery of the bike so it is difficult to make a balanced assessment.

Specialized roubaix has a reputation as a comfortable frame. I like cannondale frames too having hired one on holidays. Either of those bikes would be a deal more expensive with similar components to the Rose I link above. You will wait a while for Rose to deliver after you order - though i guess this time of year their backlog is reduced.

Make sure you go for reasonably wide tyres if you are looking for comfort - 25/28c.

You can probably pick up a 2015 frame at a discount atm, and you can also probably order from the 2016 range with most brands. Good time of year to buy.

Good luck.

smacl

Was in a similar situation earlier this year and went for a Rose Pro DX Cross bike. To an extent this was because I enjoy taking in some fire roads and light off road in my spins, but also I wanted a bike that I could put wider tyres such as spikes on over the winter so I could have some fun in the snow and ice. While the bike took an age to arrive, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and at 9kg its light enough for long all day spins, and the 32c tyres are ultra comfortable on crap roads. The Ultegra gearing is superb and a compact crank with 11/32 block gets over everything. Not quite as good on the roads as a very good road bike perhaps, but hugely versatile.

DriversEd

Budget is about 3k also, or a bit more for the right bike.
I'm beginning to think about upgrading mine to 105 with good wheels and tyres, and keep it, even long term, and keep looking for another while under no pressure as such. A friend always has a second bike, just in case. Plus, I'd hate to let this go to someone or as a trade in, and then regret it!
I see a great price at the moment in Evans for 105 groupset at under €360, so can't really go wrong there, but what about wheels, any suggestions? And should I have/need winter tyres/ wheels?

DriversEd

DriversEd wrote: »

Hi,

I bought my first road bike about 14 months ago, a Specialized Roubaix SL4, 8r carbon frame.
the groupset is Sora, and the tyres and wheels are pretty basic also, but they've got me up to and over the 100k area, and I'm thinking of upgrading or changing.
any suggestions, or advice, it would be greatly received?

ed

You've only put 100k on it in 14 months? Perhaps ride it a little more before upgrading?

smacl

ronoc wrote: »

You've only put 100k on it in 14 months? Perhaps ride it a little more before upgrading?

I read that as rides of ~100k each, not 100k in total.

OleRodrigo

With that budget, I'd upgrade the Roubaix group to Tiagra, the wheelset, buy another bike and then buy spare set of wheels.

Selling a bike second hand is a pain. There arent many buyers who will offer you what you might hope is a reasonable price - many will try beat you down until the most you get will be a third ( and thats even with relatively new component changes ) of the original price. Keeping it for as long as possible makes more sense, if you can.

The Roubaix could be a good second bike with some inexpensive changes. A new Tiagra group ( with Zondas or Superstar Pave wheels ) would set you back about 650. The new 105 11 speed, which is fantastic, is about 420 if you wanted to go with that. 350 for another set of wheels ( Zondas of you went with the Paves ) leaving 2000. That would get something very nice from Canyon, Rose, Planet X or even Genesis from the LBS.

Maybe not those exact items but more as a suggestion on what you can do by dividing up the budget.

smacl

DriversEd wrote: »

Budget is about 3k also

3K is pretty serious budget and will get you a fantastic bike, but you might want to think about what type of riding you'll be doing. e.g. a top end race bike might not be as comfortable for long spins. The Rose Xeons linked previously are lovely bikes and with your budget you're looking at a 7kg bike with Di2 or DuraAce. You could also get a lovely steel or Ti bike for that money, depending on what you're after.

DriversEd

OleRodrigo, you might be onto something alright.
after reading your post, I realised I've a lot to learn anyway, as bar tiagra, I hadn't even heard of the names for the wheels tyres!
so I think you're right, as I think I also lucked out when I bought the Roubaix, its a great little bike, and got me going, and is comfortable to spend a bit of time on, what more can I ask!

thanks lads.....

now all I need is the flash of an image of sparkly bike, and this new found confidence in my plan,,,, is shot ;-)

DriversEd

some have mentioned the steel or titanium bikes as being very comfortable, but are they not very heavy?
now, I must colour that last comment with, ' I know i'm the heaviest part of the outfit when I go out on the bike'! ;-)

OleRodrigo

If you like the Roubaix chances are a steel frame will appeal to you. Titanium too, if you like the look, want to splash out more and save a few 100 grams. Personally I like steel frames. Overall, weight doesnt really make as much difference as you might think, unless you intend to race.

If you're around Dublin, check out the Genesis range in Hollingsworth cycles. Lots of different models like the Equilibrium and Croix deFer with different configuations inc disc brakes - you might get a good deal on 2015 stock as the new years range will be out soon.

I got an Equilibrium in June, which I use for Audax riding. Fantastic bike.

DriversEd

Audax riding??

sorry to be a complete numpty, but whats that mean?

BTW, although, as a complete newbie, I can't get carbon out of my head, the genesis look great, and my head says their the right way to go. there's a yellow equilibrium that's looks fantastic, and the limited green that I saw looks brilliant, and they seem to be well kitted out.

also, as I only found out yesterday, the 2 Hollingsworth cycles aren't affiliated at all according to the guy on the phone, so which one stocks those?

OleRodrigo

Its long distance riding. Ideal for steel frames. That could be entirely subjective too.

Their webshop is mycycle.ie, bricks and mortar is on the lwr kilmacud road. They can build up a bike to your own spec, or recommend one for you . If you have a budget of 2000 it'll do the job nicely.

terrydel

If I were you Id follow what Rodrigo suggested more or less, upgrade the Specialized, as you are happy with it and improving it with new wheels/better groupset will only add to that. I upgraded my very basic Giant Defy 1 to Zonda wheels and they made a huge difference, got them for 300 on bike24 I think it was.
So you could upgrade the Specialized and still have a bike that works for you, and get a really good Canyon from 2014 or 2015 and have money over.
I think people are obsessed with always having the newest, and buying spec that they just don't need, its a curse amongst Irish cyclists. Value is totally ignored in the hunt to have the fanciest bike around.