Road choices

[LIP]

These are my two options:
http://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel...keTab=techspec
MSRP $2800 and the bro price is $1400 plus tax

or I could go w/:
http://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel...keTab=techspec
MSRP $2200 and bro price is $1150 plus tax.

Is it worth the extra $250 for a slightly kewler frame and all Ultegra vs. Ultegra/105 mix?

What thinks you?

[smmokan]

$2800 MSRP bike and you don't get DuraAce? I think Felt has Dura Ace on their bikes around the $1800 price range... I could be wrong here, and if so, I apologize immensely.

[LIP]

I think it's due to the fancy shmancy all carbon frame. Don't know much about Dura Ace, but I know that XTR isn't really worth all the extra cash over XT if that's the right analogy.

[powderdave]

If you are trying to decide between the Roubaix Expert and the Roubaix Comp, go with the Expert for a tiny bit more coin.

The wheelset alone is probably worth the $250 extra. Dura-Ace rear derrailleur is sweet, especially on top of the Ultegra gruppo.

The FSA SLK compact crank rules. That's how I roll and I can't speak highly enough of it. Compact cranks are popular in Salt Lake, especially for riding our canyons. Don't go for the triple, in case you were tempted. Triples are heavier and harder to keep in tune. Plus, with a compact you won't need it.

Cheers.

(P.S. Hook a brother up?)

[Darkside]

I agree on the Shimano wheelset, Alex wheels suck and the R600's are much nicer. For $250, full Ultegra and nicer wheels and frame are more than worth it.

[Darkside]

Oh, and Dura-Ace is much nicer than Ultegra. I am also of the school of thought that XTR is worth it over XT, or at least the pre-Dual Control XTR was.

[sfotex]

Go with the expert - Full Ultegra + Wheels is worth it. If money is that tight you might be able to dig up a 10 speed 'regular' wheel set cheap and seel the wheels that come on the bike...

[Hicks]

Oh, and Dura-Ace is much nicer than Ultegra.

That was true for the elder ones but not for the 2005 Ultegra any more - here you can hardly tell any difference and it is not worth the extra $$.

[Artie Fufkin]

That was true for the elder ones but not for the 2005 Ultegra any more - here you can hardly tell any difference and it is not worth the extra $$.

I would agree with that. I am building a new roadie now and bought all Ultegra 10, except for a Dura Ace crank. The Dura Ace crank is substantially lighter than the Ultegra. Other than the crank the weights of the components are pretty similiar. The Ultegra shifters are alot nicer than I thought they would be, and I have been getting everything on sale at Performance so it's been cheap.

Unless you can get DuraAce on proform or are ready to go on pro circuit, Ultegra will work fine. The new Ultegra is probably better than last version of Dura Ace 9 speed.

[powderdave]

Artie Fufkin and Hicks,

You are right about Ultegra 10 being a great gruppo. However, LIP's choice is not between Ultegra and Dura-Ace, but between the Comp with an Ultegra/105 mix and the Expert with Ultegra 10 and a Dura-Ace RD. When you throw in the better wheelset I'll bet we'd all agree that the Expert is worth the additional $250.

[LIP]

Decision made. Sounds like it's easily worth the extra ching. Guess I'll just have to get the 'nicer' bike. Damn. I'm 5'11" w/ a 34 inseam. Planning on ordering the 58 cm. Does that seem like the right size? Got a quick fit last night and that's what we came up with. They come in 2 cm increments.

[Artie Fufkin]

I'm 5'11" w/ a 34 inseam. Planning on ordering the 58 cm. Does that seem like the right size? Got a quick fit last night and that's what we came up with. They come in 2 cm increments.

I would also try to do some fit calculations yourself before you rely solely on the LBS's recommendations, this is a pretty simple and quick sizing program to give you an idea:

http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Sec...ing/Height.asp

[powderdave]

Nothing will be more accurate than getting fitted by a Specialized dealer. However, since you are not buying a custom bike you have limited options. I'm the same size and ride a 58cm. A 56cm will definately be too small, and a 60cm too big. Easy.

[Benny Profane]

well, not really. Specialized dealers aren't size experts - Serotta dealers are. So try to find a Serotta guy who sells Specialized - he'll fit you up right, or you may see the light and order a nice steel Serotta for that money.

[powderdave]

No comprende?

Sure, any Serotta dealer is pretty high-end and probably pretty knowledgeable. How is that better than standing over the actual bike to see which is best? When getting such a screaming deal on a non-custom bike, he really doesn't have any options. As he is my size, and I've ridden Specialized roadies, I cannot imagine he would fit the 56cm or the 61cm. Certainly the fit won't be as sweet as a custom Serotta, but for $1400 complete, it's a killer bike (especially compared to the $7000 custom MeiVici frame or even their $3000 stock frame).





That said, if I was swimming in coin I'd probably be rolling on something like the MeiVici, painted to match my pimped-up, blacked-out H2 with shiny chrome spinners.

[Benny Profane]

OK, I'm a dumb ass. Missed the $1400 price. I'd like to nail a spare bike like that at that price.

But I was just saying that a Serotta dealer is trained to fit, so they can fit you on most any bike, or get you close (replace stem, bars, seat position). Mine did it on my old roadie, and solved a few back problems for me.

[LIP]

OK, I'm a dumb ass. Missed the $1400 price. I'd like to nail a spare bike like that at that price.

But I was just saying that a Serotta dealer is trained to fit, so they can fit you on most any bike, or get you close (replace stem, bars, seat position). Mine did it on my old roadie, and solved a few back problems for me.

Thanks mang. I managed to get to a dealer yesterday, and 58 it is. Just needed the frame size as I will be getting it fit properly on it's arrival. Believe me, Italian steel is my fav, but beggars can't be choosers. At that price, I figure I can't go wrong.