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Ok, ive seen the Specialized Roubaix Experts on offer.
I have a 12yr old carbon road bike with 10sp D/A. It has super limited tyre clearance and runs on 23mm tyres at 110psi. Im 57 and after some recent brain surgery i dont like being subject to high frequency vibration like 110psi tyres on normal tarmac. I still like going fast as i can, and value climbing and acceleration, but just want a little more comfort.
I have a Reilly Gradient as my gravel bike which for most duties i put 47mm 650b slicks on and enjoy the ride. If im venturing more offroad i use 42mm 700c gravel tyres. However its still not super fast on the road all though there is more comfort than the road bike.
I miss the leaping forward feel of a stiff bike.
So would a Roubaix with its 30 or 32 mm tubeless road tyres provide me with that elusive speed and comfort and not being bashed around but fast all day ability? I know it has the future shock steerer device and a decoupled seatpost.
Is it what im looking for or have i been seduced by shiny and Di2 and n+1 madness?
Thanks
Ian
Can you get 28mm tyres in there (newer Shimano calipers are a bit wider) and run tubeless at more like 80psi?
have i been seduced by shiny and Di2 and n+1 madness?
Haven't we all been seduced by this in a way?
I can just squeeze a 25 in, but i fear for the chainstays.
I love the bike, it goes fast and handles just how i want. But after 3hr i want to get off.....
Like most endurance bikes, the Roubaix looks tall. Could you get the position you want on it?
(I've ended up with a -17° stem on my Synpase for this reason)
Is it what im looking for or have i been seduced by shiny and Di2 and n+1 madness?
You say that like its a bad thing...
If you can afford it, try one for size. If I'd recently had brain surgery, I'd be buying a Reilly Gradient.
I have a Roubaix, 56cm. 56 years old, 85kg, & run 32mm tyres at 70 psi - its very smooth. My body gives in before any discomfort comes into play.
Its a Reilly Gradient thats my gravel bike!
Have a go on an Aethos. Says my mate who's had 2 Roubaixs
I suspect the Roubaix will have a more efficient carbon frame than your 12 year old one.
Carbon layup tech has improved loads in the last 15 years.
Moved from a 20 Yr old colmbus tubed allez running 25s to an orro gold stc on 28s last year. I'm 58. Orro is so much more comfortable
Im also guessing i could use some deeper aero rims too, as finding those in a 17 or 19mm ext width has provwn tricky too
Unlike Dikie I had a Roubaix and found it very harsh and gave me a bad back, first road bike ever to do that. I traded it in for a Trek Domane. The Domane frame is heavier but over the past couple of summer I've run 38mm tyres and used it for gravel and road riding and it's super comfy.
Redshift stem & seatpost, rather than a whole new bike?