I’m looking at a Specialized Roubaix frame. I can’t decide between an s-works or pro frame. The s-works frame looks to have that different seat post, but other than that what’s the difference?
This will be a training bike for me with an occasional bike race. I’m tall at 6’6 so I like the extra stack the Roubaix gives me.
The real reason I want this bike is because of the coming disc brakes.
If I buy the s-works frame now, will I be able to add the disc brakes later? A local dealer told me yesterday that they could order the disc wheels, they just couldn’t order the entire bike (which I think is at the elite level).
I’m guessing it would need a different fork, but can anyone give me more info about that?
I’d say hold off a year. It looks like road discs will hit in force next year. The rumours are that there will be an e-Dura Ace group with hydraulics discs. I’m already squirreling away dollars.
I can’t speak to the Roubaix specifically. I have a Specialized Crux with discs and I love it. I want to get better wheels but right now there seems to be only mid-level and mega-high end cross disc wheels available.
Oooo, good to know. I have a specific budget for bike stuff this year so I’ll end up putting that money into a Shiv and waiting a year.
Thanks!
Do you have any links discussing this? I’d like to learn more. What’s e-Dura Ace?
e-Dura Ace = Di2 (Dura Ace 9070).
There are lots of stories all over the internet. Shimano released a cable disc for the cross market and SRAM has been teasing Red level hydros aor a while. It’s inevitable.
They don’t show a disc compatable Roubaix frame on their website.
I still highly recommend the Roubaix SL-4. S-works if you can afford it.
It will be as light as an S-works Tarmac and will ride great. Just as stiff, more cush.
Take the seatpost and throw it in the garbage- on 2nd thought sell it on ebay. I can’t bear
to look at it. It is like looking at a super model with a wooden leg-
I was at a lbs today and the specialized rep was there.
He told me that the roubaix disc is a different frame, so no upgrading old bikes. They do this because of the extra torque from disc brakes. Maybe this will be a stiffer bike then?
He also told me that the s-works shiv is 80 grams lighter than the pro shiv. That’s the difference!
I’m going to wait another year and hope that they get this disc brakes on a pro/sworks roubaix.
I just got a cross bike with discs and so far I’m loving it. However I did do a ride that ended with a moderately fast descent on pavement. I thought I’d try out being a little hard on the brakes to see if I would experience any noticeable fade. It didn’t take very long at all, and I was able to notice a pretty substantial reduction in braking power. Caveats: The bike is brand new, so maybe the brakes aren’t fully “broken in” (whatever that might mean), and I’m 200 pounds so it takes a little more to stop me than the little guys (but you did mention that you’re tall). I was descending at 40-45 mph for a couple of minutes. I’m running 160/140mm rotors in front/rear, and I have the Hayes CX-5 mechanical calipers.
So far, based on my very limited experience with discs on the road (granted on a CX bike), I won’t be in the market for road discs any time soon. At this point, I’m far more confident in my trusty Ultegra rim calipers and Alu rims. If you don’t ride in mountains, then I don’t see an issue. Though, at the same time I don’t see a benefit.