Specialized Roubaix Elite 27 vs. Allez Comp Double

[Pierre]

Hi all.

I'm an avid mountain biker looking into buying a road bike.
After doing some research, I've narrowed it down to the two
models above.

My concern: I've test ridden both these bikes in 52, though
I'll be looking for a 54. I found the Roubaix a long and
sleek feeling ride, a little slower, a lot more comfortable.
However, the Allez is 200 bucks cheaper, and more aggresive.
Considering that neither of these bikes were fitted for me,
how much info should I glean from a test ride? I've had
lower back problems and am concerned that, while I'd rather
purchase the Allez, I might not be able to fit it in a way
that would alleviate these back concerns.

Also, I wonder if I bought the Roubaix now, would I say, 6
months down the road feel like I could have handled the
Allez? That I've doomed myself to a sort of biking geekdom?

In general, in spite of my back, I'm a very aggresive rider
and my primary motivation for getting a road bike is speed.
Me like going fast.

Thanks for your help,

P

 

[Dan Daniel]

On 10 May 2004 14:12:54 -0700, [email protected] (Pierre) wrote:

>Hi all.
>
>I'm an avid mountain biker looking into buying a road bike.
>After doing some research, I've narrowed it down to the two
>models above.
>
>My concern: I've test ridden both these bikes in 52, though
>I'll be looking for a 54. I found the Roubaix a long and
>sleek feeling ride, a little slower, a lot more
>comfortable. However, the Allez is 200 bucks cheaper, and
>more aggresive. Considering that neither of these bikes
>were fitted for me, how much info should I glean from a
>test ride? I've had lower back problems and am concerned
>that, while I'd rather purchase the Allez, I might not be
>able to fit it in a way that would alleviate these back
>concerns.
>
>Also, I wonder if I bought the Roubaix now, would I say, 6
>months down the road feel like I could have handled the
>Allez? That I've doomed myself to a sort of biking geekdom?
>
>In general, in spite of my back, I'm a very aggresive rider
>and my primary motivation for getting a road bike is speed.
>Me like going fast.
>
>Thanks for your help,
>
>P

I have two road bikes. One an older frame with a long wheel
base, somewhat relaxed angles. Another short wheel base,
tight angles. It *does* make a difference to me. If you want
speed, go for the tighter geometry.

Find both bikes in the proper size, get it fitted up a bit,
and go for long test rides. Talk won't tell you what you
want to know

A description of how to set up test rides-

http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/roadbiketestrides.htm

 

[::dom::]

Originally posted by Pierre
In general, in spite of my back, I'm a very aggresive rider and my primary motivation for getting a road bike is speed.
Me like going fast.

Thanks for your help,

P

You like fast...

Allez is french for fast!

Go Allez!

you won't regret it.

 

[::dom::]

Originally posted by Dominic Sansom
You like fast...

Allez is french for fast!

Go Allez!

you won't regret it.

Whoops! I obviously wasn't paying attention in French class.

"Aller" means Go, Ride.

 

[David Kerber]

In article <[email protected]>, usenet-
[email protected] says...
> Dominic Sansom wrote:
> > You like fast... Allez is french for fast! Go Allez!
> > you won't regret it.
>
>
>
> Whoops! I obviously wasn't paying attention in
> French class.
>
> "Aller" means Go, Ride.

That's the infinitive for "to go". Allez is the 2nd person
form of it: "Vouz allez".

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return
address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

 

[Todd Kuzma]

It depends on how you define "fast." The Allez is more of a
crit geometry meaning it's a bit easier to lean it into
turns. The flipside of that is a lack of stability (wants to
turn when you don't want it to). Additionally, the shorter
wheelbase will mean a harsher ride.

I'm not sure about the aluminum Roubaix with carbon stays,
but the all-carbon Roubaix is both lighter and stiffer
(torsionally and laterally) than any other frame that
Specialized makes. It is very efficient and is used by
their pro team.

Todd Kuzma Heron Bicycles Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery LaSalle,
Il 815-223-1776 http://www.heronbicycles.com
http://www.tullios.com

 

[Pierre]

> That's the infinitive for "to go". Allez is the 2nd person
> form of it: "Vouz allez".

Geez Dave, thanks for taking the time. Perhaps you were
looking for soc.culture.french.

Anywho, I know a long fitted test ride would be best, but
unfortunately, shops in my area don't offer those. Fitting
takes an hour or so and they normally charge for it, so
that's out.

Dan, when you said you feel the difference, you mean size or
comfort or both? Ever bothered on long rides on your fast
bike (which, I assume, is properly fit)?

Thanks,

Pierre (That's right. The french wasn't wasted on me.)

 

[Dan Daniel]

On 11 May 2004 12:38:09 -0700, [email protected] (Pierre) wrote:

>> That's the infinitive for "to go". Allez is the 2nd
>> person form of it: "Vouz allez".
>
>Geez Dave, thanks for taking the time. Perhaps you were
>looking for soc.culture.french.
>
>Anywho, I know a long fitted test ride would be best, but
>unfortunately, shops in my area don't offer those. Fitting
>takes an hour or so and they normally charge for it, so
>that's out.
>

Even without a formal fitting, I don't think you'll find
out what you want to know without riding the right frame
size. Maybe others will disagree with me. Can you at least
get long rides on each one irrespective of the fitting? Set
them up as close as possible to each other and see how your
back feels?

>Dan, when you said you feel the difference, you mean size
>or comfort or both? Ever bothered on long rides on your
>fast bike (which, I assume, is properly fit)?
>

The short wheelbase bike is quicker, more responsive to
pedal pressure, more sensitive in its steering and body
movement controls. And on longer rides I do feel it- the
short bike is harder on my body.

The long wheel base bike absorbs bumps better. For longer
rides, that's what I will use these days.

The short is a DeBernardi Thron frame, 980mm wheelbase. The
long is an older Falcon 531 frame, 1040mm wheelbase (sold as
a 'racer' in 1987 or so)

And now it gets all nebulous and hard to express- each bike
seems to ask to be ridden in a certain way. The short wheel
base wants to be ridden fast, quickly, aggressively. Stomp
through yellow lights, weave in and out of groups, etc. The
long bike wants to go for a cruise. A leisurely Sunday
ride. But it will react when I push it. I'm being extreme
here- there's a lot of overlap between the two.

Maybe the difference between a criterium and a road race?

Both are good bikes and will serve you well. I think your
back might be the decider. And some of that will depend on
parts and fitting , not the frame per se.