bernmart said:
My guess is that you rode the Specialized Roubaix. If so, take a serious look at it. It's a do-it-all bike that seems to fit tall riders especially well. I've never met a Roubaix rider who didn't love his bike.
I'll give my brother a call soon and find out exactly what model he has. Currently, the Specialized i'm looking at is the Allez Elite. It's on sale for AU$1999 down from AU$2599. This will be my first road bike, so apologies for my ignorance, but is there really a great deal of difference between a 105 9 speed and a 105 10 speed? The Allez only has the 9 speed. Here's the specs of the OCR 1.0 and the Allez Elite.
Giant OCR 1.0 (AU$1600, apparently down from AU$2000)
frame: ALUXX SL alloy: FluidFormed; composite rear end
fork: Composite blade, 1 1/8th alloy ahead steerer
headset: Cane Creek sealed and integrated
front derailleur: Shimano 105 10sp
rear derailleur: Shimano 105 10sp
crankset/bottom bracket: FSA Gossamer 10sp MegaExo crank/BB 34x50T
shifters/brake levers: Shimano 105 STI 20 sp
cassette: Shimano 105 10sp 12-25T
chain: Shimano 105 10sp
wheelset: Shimano R550 16/20H
tyres: Michelin Dynamic 700 x 23c
brakes: Tektro alloy dual pivot
pedals: Shimano R540 SPD-SL clipless
h.bar: FSA Wing 305 31.8mm
stem: FSA 150XT alloy 31.8mm
seat post: C Tech composite 27.2
saddle: Velo w/composite base, gel, cut-out & cr-mo rail
grips: Velo cork gel
Specialized Allez Elite (AU$1999, down from AU$2599)
FRAME: Specialized E5, fully manipulated Columbus SLX tubing, compact race geometry
FORK: Specialized FACT monocoque carbon fork legs, crown, and steerer with Zertz inserts
HEADSET: Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM: Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4- position adjustable
HANDLEBARS: Specialized Zertz Comp handlebar, racing drop, 31.8 clamp
TAPE: Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE: Dual pivot, forged alloy, with cartridge multi-condition pads
REAR BRAKE: Dual pivot, forged alloy, with cartridge multi-condition pads
BRAKE LEVERS: Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano 105, 9-speed, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano 105, 9-speed, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE: Shimano HG50, 12-25t
CHAIN: Shimano HG73, 9-speed
CRANKSET: Sugino Direct Drive, 2-piece crankset
CHAINRINGS: 53x39T
BOTTOM BRACKET: Sugino integrated, exterior cartridge bearings, alloy
PEDALS: Composite-body test ride pedals
RIMS: Alex ALX 298, alloy double wall rim, machined sidewalls
FRONT HUB: Alex ALX 298, 20 hole, QR
REAR HUB: Alex ALX 298, 24 hole, aluminum freehub body, four cartridge bearings, QR
SPOKES: Stainless 14g aero
FRONT TIRE: Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI
REAR TIRE: Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI
TUBES: Specialized standard presta tube, 0.9mm thickness
SADDLE: Body Geometry Avatar, microfiber cover, gel padding
SEAT POST: Specialized Pavé II FACT carbon seatpost with Zertz insert, aluminum head, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER: Specialized, forged/CNC, double wedge