1st LBS visit: great experience, but now which bike to choose?

Hey everyone,

Well over the past several weeks I have been obsessively reading the forums in order to educate myself on my first road bike purchase. So this afternoon I finally decided to visit the LBS and that added another dimension altogether. I was blown away by their kindness and service as they basically spent two hours educating me further and allowing me the opportunity to test ride. From all of the reading that I've done(prior to test rides), I was able to narrow it down to two brands and several bikes. So today, I had the opportunity to ride the following(included is price without negotiations):

'07 Specialized Roubaix Triple with all 105 components--$1500

-07 Specialized Allez Elite Triple(this one unfortunately only had Tiagra components; told them I would like to at least go 105) (with Tiagra $1100, or a Comp Double for $1600).

'06 Felt F65(They also have an '06 F75 at their other store as well for $1300).--$1440

I only spent a short time testing each bike and now I'm in a pickle because I don't have the experience to tell the significant difference in the way they ride and handle especially for longer distances. The gentleman that assisted me said that I may need to stop by a few more times for a test ride in order to get a better overall feel for each bike.

All three felt great, but the Roubaix definitely edges out the other two in terms of seat comfort.

So here's the deal: what would you suggest based on my riding criteria? I will be using the bike primarily for recreational/fitness purposes and plan to get involved with the local club to participate in some frequent group rides(hopefully there's a century somewhere in my future) and I wouldn't count out a few triathlons in the next couple of years either. I currently live in an area where the routes are quite hilly, but I also spend quite a bit of time in Florida as well(mainly flat).

Given that it's my first roadie, I gave myself a $1500 budget to spend on the bike itself, but now seeing that I can get, for example, a carbon framed Roubaix Elite Triple for $400 more, I'm wondering if I should take that into consideration as well. Then there's the choice of a triple crank on one bike and a compact double on the other. Also, I plan to keep this bike for a while, so would like something that will grow with me as I progress.

If you could give me any input on your personal experience with these bikes, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading your replies.

P.S. I apologize for the overly long post.

The Roubaix is intended for all day comfort whereas the Allez is meant for a little more racy feel (the top of the line Allez is Specialized's old race bike). I am not sure about the Felt. Your LBS is correct though. Several more test rides should help you determine which bike would best suit your riding style/preference. The carbon Roubaix has been recognized as one of the most comfortable bikes by magazines and riders. A triple crank will add a set of lower gears beyond what a compact double will give to help with those tough climbs. Good luck!

__________________
'06 Cannondale R700

Thanks a bunch Graphixgeek! Yeah, I keep hearing great things about the Roubaix which is probably toward the top of my list. However, I went to visit another shop today and was introduced to the Felt F4C, F5C, as the Fuji Team Carbon. The F4C and F5C were both eye catchers and had been discounted to make room for the '07 models. The F4C was still out of my range carrying a pricetag of $2099, but they also had an F5C on sale for $1799. I test rode the F4 just to get a general idea and, though it is a beautiful bike, it seemed slightly too aggressive for my taste. The gentleman then showed me the '06 Fuji Team Carbon which seemed to have similar geometry to the F4/5C and are on sale for $1599. So I figured I might as well take it for a spin since I was already at the shop and now I'm certainly glad that I did! Let's just say that by the end of the ride, I had a smile on my face! It could be attributed to the fact that the stem was larger and the saddle was softer, but whatever it was, the ride felt wonderful! So now that may indeed be the frontrunner alongside the Specialized Roubaix. Unfortunately though that type of setup on the Roubaix is going to run me in the neighborhood of $2200 since all of the '06 models have already been sold, so what does one do in this situation?

I unfortunately do not know much about the Fuji brand and the quality of their products, so if you happen to own or have ridden the Team Carbon for long durations, I would greatly appreciate any input that you may have. Thanks again for all of your help and I look forward to reading your replies!

Alas, I have not ridden a Fuji Team Carbon for long. I did extensively test ride one when deciding between it and my current ride. The quality of Fuji is on par with all the other bicycle manufacturers. In fact they did make frames for other companies some time ago, though I am not sure if they still do. What I can tell you is that the Team Carbon is based off of their race bike. So now it's an either or. Yes the Roubaix is a long distance machine but at a hefty price tag, yet you tried the Fuji and came away impressed. You won't go wrong with either bike in my opinion. You could almost flip a coin on this one . I remember when I used to work at the LBS and a person would have the same dilemma as yourself. If the bike is comfortable and fits well, that's important. But you have two...so now ask yourself, which bike makes you want to get out and ride? Either bike is an investment, but if it doesn't stir you to get out and ride it, what good is it? Yeah, it's a bit philisophical, but I tend to get that way because I have ridden many bikes, and a few didn't really stir my soul. Now my current ride, a Cannondale R700, makes me want to find every hill, every level straightaway, and every twisting downhill because the bike is just exciting to ride (to me anyway).

__________________
'06 Cannondale R700

the seat is a critical part of the bike. the good news is that you seem to notice that with all the bikes you test rode. it may be possible to swap seats so you can ride your favorite seat on the different bikes. you can even consider buying the seat separately before the bike and asking various shops to put the seat on whatever bike you want to test ride.

is there a way for you to get fitted without committing to a bike? I ask because I found my body proportions and cycling preferences essentially forced me to one frame. that is usually not the case, but if it is, then you should know now, not after you've bought the bike. specifically, you should be honing in on a seat tube length/angle, sloped or not top tube, top tube + stem length (ideally keeping the stem length in the middle of the range for your size frame), chainstay length, and wheelbase.

seat tube - related to leg length.
seat tube angle - related to thigh length, steeper for speed/shorter thighed riders, shallower for more power and longer thighed riders.
sloped or not top tube - personal choice, although shorter legged riders (like me) might prefer sloped.
top tube plus stem length - you don't want a 60 cm tt with a 8 cm stem. if you are just beginning to ride, give yourself at least 2 cm to grow on the stem - you'll find yourself wanting a lower, longer stem as your body acclimates to cycling. initially a slightly upright and 90-100mm stem will give you room to drop the stem as well as go out to as much as 130 mm.
chainstay length - if you are out of the saddle a lot (like aggressive climbing, sprinting, or hills in your area are really steep) then a shorter chainstay is better for control when aggressively out of the saddle. keeps the rear wheel planted better. longer stays are better for sitting more, longer rides, etc.
wheelbase - longer tend to be more stable (say on a long straight road, or a long straight downhill, or riding no-handed while eating a sandwich or something), shorter more responsive (say diving into a turn, maneuvering in a group).

the first shop you mentioned probably has a good idea of matching your perceived wants/needs to bikes they sell. That education is essential to learning about cycling. If they're willing to educate you before any commitment, they'll probably be willing to do so afterwards. Ask about group rides etc - they may hold them or know where they are.

Although you might find a particular bike for $100 less (or perceive a bike to be $100 less) or some similar amount, the care and service you receive from an LBS is critical to your bike's life. For example, if the wheels are not preassembled by a third party (Mavic, Campy, Shimano, etc), then it's up to the LBS to check spoke tension, roundness, etc. If they do this on a regular basis on the bikes they sell, they can sometimes double or triple the usable life of the wheels (most bike-factory wheels are sadly lacking tension by the time they're assembled at the LBS). In addition, while you are using the wheels, they'll be more responsive, more lively. The same goes for the assembly details like crankarm bolts, cable lube, etc., although they don't necessarily make the bike more lively. but a bike whose crank falls off will be awfully unresponsive! These things are well worth a 5% premium on a bike at that level.

it seems like you are doing good research. I think that you'll be able to make the right decision on which bike to get and where to get it.

good luck and enjoy the bike hunting,
cdr

If it is comfort on long rides that you want, then of these three the Roubaix wins hands down. I had considered the Roubaix Elite, the Specialized Sequoia Elite, the Specialized Allez Elite, the Trek Pilot 5.0, the Trek 5000, and the Felt r5c. I ended up with the Roubaix Elite and have been extremely happy with it.

The Felt is a pure racing bike, but I would not want it for a century or other long event ride. The Allez and Trek 5000 are more comfortable than the Felt, but not nearly as comfortable as the Roubaix or Pilot. The Roubaix and Pilot, though, are a lot more nimble than the Sequoia. Everyone is different, though, so you should take the advice from your LBS and ride the bikes a few more times.

I think you are correct to go for the 105 components. I think Ultegra and Dura Ace are overkill for the fitness/recreational/event rider, but to upgrade from Tiagra to 105 is well worth the money.

While the saddle is important to your overall comfort, it is the one thing that is easily changed. The only thing I liked better about the Pilot 5.2 and the Roubaix Elite was the saddle. The difference in price between the two bikes was $1300, and the cost of the Bontrager Race Lite Lux saddle is $85. My LBS has a saddle testing program where one can try out a saddle for several hundred miles before committing to buy one. After about 350 miles [including two back-to-back 75 mile rides (MS 150)], I decided that I like the Specialized Avatar saddle that came with the Roubaix Elite, and will not be trading it for anything else.

Thanks a bunch for all of your replies; it really helps make this decision easier. I know now that choosing the right LBS is one of the keys to making this purchase a more pleasurable experience. The first bike shop that I visited was incredibly friendly and took the time to answer all of my questions and was interested in what kind of riding I would be doing. I didn't get the same feeling from the second shop that I visited. It almost seemed like I was intruding on their time; didn't see one friendly expression on any employees' face while I was there. Maybe they were just hard at work; I don't know.

Based on all the knowledge and advice that I have received here and the research that I've done elsewhere, more and more I think that it might just be worth it to purchase an '07 Roubaix Elite. Granted it's a little more than I initially planned to spend, but if it keeps me riding, then that's what it's all about isn't it.

As far as a professional fitting, it may be possible to have one done without a committment. I've read somewhere on this site where many LBS will perform a custom fit for around $50. And if I do decide on a bike from their shop, I have a feeling that they might waive the fee. Anyway, I plan to go back up to the LBS later this week for further testing. I know they can't really take much off MSRP with the Roubaix being an '07 model, but should I try to work anything else into the deal? Maybe they can take a percentage off of accessories because I'm gonna need several hundred dollars worth of equipment: car rack, shoes, clipless pedals, shorts, jersey, gloves, pump, and an under the seat pouch for an extra tube and Co2 patch kit. I don't know; can shops normally do that or is that somewhat taboo?

Thanks a bunch for all of the advice thus far; it is making the process a much more positive experience! If you have any other thoughts/suggestions that could enlighten me, I would truly appreciate them!

Thanks,

Matthew

My LBS knocked about $50 off the MSRP on the '07 Roubaix Elite and gives six months free labor and tuneups, 10% of anything else you buy from them when you buy the bike, and 2% off any accesories you buy from them for the rest of your life. They also fix your first flat at no charge, but I got them to give me a free spare tube instead.

Well, the Roubaix seems to be at the top of my list right now. Haven't tested the Elite yet, but plan to visit my LBS for a ride this Friday. Since I am increasing my budget a bit, I may as well take some other bikes into consideration so that I can make a more educated decision. I haven't ridden any of the Treks yet, but have been researching the 5000 Triple, 5200, and Pilot 5.0. Do you guys have any thoughts on any/all of these machines?

Also, I'm not sure if my age and fitness level are integral factors that need to be taken into consideration when selecting a bike, but I'll throw them out there just in case: I'm thirteen days shy of 25, in relatively good shape(hope to improve on that significantly once I decide on a bike), and thankfully no back problems as of yet(though that may be attributed to the fact that there are five chiropractors in the family. I don't know if that information has any weight whatsoever, but if it does, I apologize for not including it earlier.

Thanks,

Matthew

Those are all great bikes. The biggest difference is in the fit and feel. You cannot go wrong with any of them. When I bought my Roubaix Elite, I had also tested the Pilot 5.2. I really wanted to consider the Pilot 5.0, but my LBS did not have one in stock in my size. I could not tell a difference between the Pilot 5.2 and the Roubaix Elite, so I figured the Pilot 5.0 could not be any better than the Roubaix Elite, either (and the '07 Pilot 5.0 was going to be about $250 more than the '07 Roubaix Elite). At the time, the '07 Specialized bikes were being shipped, but the Treks were still about three weeks away. Instead of waiting to test ride an '07 Pilot 5.0 in the faint hope that the '07 Pilot was going to be better than the '06 Pilot), I bought the '07 Roubaix Elite.

I am more than twice your age (54) and was 200 pounds (down from 265) when I bought the Roubaix Elite. I had been riding regularly with the owner of the shop for about three months prior to shopping for the new bike, so he knew me, my expectations, and my limitations. I also have short legs and arms and a long torso (6'0" with 30" inseam and 33" sleeves), which means I fit on a bicycle differently than others who are more "classically" proportioned. The three most experienced fitters at the shop all steered me away from the Trek 5000, Trek Madone, Specalized Allez, Specalized Tarmac, and Felt f5c (all of which they had in stock and were within my price range) because of the fitting difficulties I would encounter.

Everyone is different. Try all of the bikes in your price range and get the one that feels right to you.

Thanks Rick for all of your advice! I'm gonna stop by the LBS selling the Treks later this week and see how they feel. They also sell the Orbea Onix TDI which is in my ballpark as well, so I'm gonna give it a shot too. As far as fittings are concerned, this shop offers several different services(listed below) and I'm not exactly sure which one is appropriate. The services are a bit more than I anticipated too, but if that helps in choosing the right bike and obtaining an ideal fit, then it's worth it.

Also, what is a reasonable distance/time for a test ride? Thus far they have been confined to a parking lot for no more than 5-7 minutes each, yet I've read here and elsewhere of people taking test rides in the neighborhood of
15+ miles. That's probably overkill for a newbie such as myself, but what in your opinion would be appropriate?

Thanks!

Fitting Services offered at LBS

Custom Bicycle Fit ($150) - Everyone dreams of owning a custom bike. Cahaba Cycles/Homewood Cycles can make your dreams come true. Using the Serotta Size Cycle, one of our Serotta-trained professional Fit staff will use your medical history, riding style, flexibility and range-of-motion to construct the perfect bike - the one made for you. Stop dreaming and start riding you very own, one-of-a-kind bicycle.

Body Fit ($100) - Whether you just purchased a new bike, or have struggled to get comfortable on your current rig, we want the opportunity to make it fit the way it should - perfectly. Our trained fitters will conduct a brief interview to learn about your athletic and medical history and future. Next your fitter will perform a series of flexibility and range-of-motion excercises to determine your position limitations on the bike. Using all of the information gathered, your fitter will essentially place you on the bike in the best possible position. Our Body Fit service offers the custom bike feel without paying the custom bike price.

Cleat Fit/Pedal Analysis ($50) - Correctly aligned cleats will allow the knee, ankle and foot to pedal in a natural path. Incorrectly aligned cleats prevent this movement and most often can lead to a variety of painful injuries. Using the Rotational Adjustment Device (RAD), your fitter can 100% accurately determine the optimum placement of your cleat system. Let the RAD be your new best friend. It can save your knees.

My shop has three Serotta certified fitters. Considering the time it takes to do a proper fit, it is reasonable that they charge, but it would also make sense that you be able to apply at least a major portion of that fee towards the purchase price of a bike. The fit I got (for free) was similar to the $100 service offered by your LBS. My LBS also does what your LBS lists at the $150 level, but only if you are going to purchase a Serotta.

I was upfront with my LBS, and I have known them for years. I told them that I was going to buy a bike within the next three to six months, and I wanted a fitting so that I would know what to look for. One of the Serotta certified fitters spent about three hours with me and different bikes on a trainer. He put the same style pedals that I was already using on the bikes so I could use my shoes and swapped stems and adjusted seat and bar positions to get the best fit. When he had made what he thought was the best adjustments for me on the first bike, he wrote down the critical measurements. While I took that bike out on about a 3 mile ride, he set up another bike to the same measurements. When I came back in from the test ride, he asked me what I liked and did not like about the bike, and made minor adjustments based on my comments. I took the second bike out for another 3 mile ride, and he asked me what I thought about that bike compared to the first. I liked the feel of the saddle of the second bike (the Pilot 5.2) better than that of the first bike (Roubaix Elite). He dropped the nose of the Roubaix saddle by a couple of degrees, and told me to take it back out. That small change made all the difference in the world.

Despite all of his time, and the fact I decied to wait a couple of months until I had saved enough money to pay cash for the bike before I bought a bike, they did not charge me anything for the fitting. A few days later, I was on a ride with the owner of the store, and I told him that I had decided which bike I wanted, but it would be three months before I could afford it. He said that Trek had a six months interest free credit plan. I said that was great, but I wanted the Specialized. He said that it did not matter what I bought, as long as I bought it from a Trek dealer. I thought about it for a few days, and then told them to order the '07 Roubaix Elite. Trek gave me a credit limit that was high enough that I could have bought a Serotta Legend. I got the Roubais two weeks before the MS 150, and I am very glad that I did. Two days at 75 miles per day would have been tough on a Specialized Crossroads, which is what I had been riding.

Riding around the parking lot is probably not enough, but 15 miles might be overkill for you. Three to five miles, especially if you can throw in a hill, should give you enough to see how you feel on the different bikes. It is very important, though, that the bikes be set up identically and optimized for you. Otherwise, you are assessing fit differences that could be easily altered instead of differences that are intrensic to the bike.

The Roubaix is a great bike. I looked at the Trek Pilots, a used Trek 5000, the Giants, the Cannondales and Roubaix. I went with a 2007 Roubaix Comp Triple, partly because I liked the service at that LBS and partly because they could get one right away. I've been riding it for about 6 or 7 weeks.

The first week I had the bike, one of the anchors for the water bottle screws came loose in the frame. Specialized replaced the frame with a new, but leftover, 2006 Roubaix Pro frame, which is a little lighter and a little stronger. The LBS switched everything out.

If you are buying from the LBS, they should fit you for free.

Also, there is a MSRP on the different levels of Roubaix. The LBS here discounted those prices 10% right away. I asked about any further discounts for cash, etc., and they gave me about $300 worth of free stuff and another 10% off everything else I bought. Basically, I got a pair of expensive SIDI shoes (I have really wide EEE feet and needed their mega version), a jersey and a pair of shorts gratis with my purchase.

And the saddle is great. I was riding a hybrid a little bit, but never further than about 10 miles when I got the Roubaix. In about 5 weeks, I worked up to a long Sat ride of 32 miles and have never had the first pain in my butt. Numbness elsewhere sometimes if I forget to stand up every so often, but nothing major.

I love the Roubaix!

John

Thanks for the help on the fitting and test ride durations Rick. I called the LBS yesterday and set up a Body Fit appointment for tomorrow morning. Then once we have the data, it'll be time to start test riding. I'll keep you informed of my findings, but until then, take care and happy riding!

Boy did I do alot of test riding today! Went to the shop this morning for my fitting and then started looking at bikes. Started with the Trek 5000 and Orbea Onix TDI, but just didn't feel right. So since they didn't have anything else in price range that was appealing, I left. As I'm leaving town though, I came across their sister store, so I went in to see what they had available. Mostly the same, with the addition of a couple brands. I gave the gentleman my price range and informed him of what I was looking for in a bike and he immediately brought my attention to the '06 Trek 5200 which was on sale for $1999! Had everything and more than I could possibly need and within my price range. Didn't really consider it beforehand because their website still has it listed for $2499. But none of that meant anything unless it felt right on the road. So we set it up, got me out on the road, and was immediately impressed by the overall feel. Took it up a couple hills and had no problems whatsoever with the compact double; plenty of gears to work with. Brought it back to the shop and tried a Madone 5.2 and a Pilot. Madone was too aggressive and the Pilot I found was too upright. Since I had ridden those others just minutes before, I took the 5200 out for another spin and really felt the difference this time around; very comfortable ride. I took her in and told the gentleman that I was also interested in trying out a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 1, but they're sold out and are now waiting for their 2007 models to come in. So I left the shop with a very positive experience with the 5200, but still felt that I needed to test ride the Cannondales as well.

Once back in town, I decided to make another trip to the newest LBS which carries Giant, Cannondale, and Litespeed and was much more impressed by their staff and service compared to my visit earlier this week(spoke with another salesman briefly whom didn't sit well with me). Told the gentleman what I had ridden thus far and was interested in the Synapse. Took it out for a test ride and realized almost immediately that it was not for me; much too upright. Since I was already in the shop he insisted that I test ride a titanium frame in order to compare it to the carbon, so he set me up on a Litespeed Teramo with Dura Ace components. More than what I wanted to spin, but might as well give it a spin anyway. Well I put about four miles on her and had a smile on my face the entire time; incredibly impressed by the way she felt and handled. I then test rode a Giant TCR 2 which was comparable to the Trek, but definitely prefer the Trek.

So now that I've tried just about everything out there that I had initially considered, I'm pretty much set on the Trek 5200; by far the best bang for the buck that I've come across. That Litespeed was pretty sweet though and for a fraction of a second, I really considered splurging for it. But that's over $1K more and I'd probably regret it(then again maybe not).

So what do you guys think; should I take the 5200 home with me or should I just right out splurge for the Litespeed(irrationality is taking over, so please help)?

Sorry for the novel of a post guys, but just wanted to let you know what an eventful and educational day I had. Thanks a bunch for all of your help and have a great evening!