What Road Specialized is Best?

I'm also in the market for a similar level of bike, so I'll share my experience on test rides.

S-Works E5 2005 (I think this is carbon?)

Aluminum, but a nice bike. Questionable geometry for a female rider unless you have an unusually long upper body. It's bad enough for me as a long legged guy (I'm kind of short in the torso, long in the legs, but perhaps not quite so much as many female riders). Sat on it but the combination of geometry and price deterred me from a test ride.

Tarmac Pro 2005 (carbon and Al.frame, how's that work?)

Carbon on top, Aluminum downtube and chainstays. Rather like the LeMond pattern on a lot of bikes. But I've never ridden one. The LeMond Zurich (Carbon/Steel) interpretation seemed to focus on zippy performance, I wasn't particularly impressed with the ride.

Roubaix Comp Double 2005 (very carbon)

Out of these bikes I think it is your best bet; the geometry favors a short upper body and it would be my personal choice. The ride is sensationally good on broken pavement with the bumps as smothered out as on a mountain bike; it feels a bit too dead on good pavement, but in reality it is very fast. A bike with performance AND ride. I have test ridden an '04 comp and an '04 pro, same frame on both. Incidentally the cheaper aluminum/carbon Roubaix (105 group except Ultegra rear derailleur) also rides very well; not quite THIS well, but better in my view than a carbon/steel LeMond. For '05, the Elite is carbon too. But looks like the Carbon bikes aren't out till December. Both the Comp and the Elite have the FSA Carbon crankset for 05; having ridden with an FSA crank on an 04 comp and having ridden both Ultegra and 105 cranks on Roubaix bikes, I really do think the FSA helps the shifting compared to a standard Ultegra or 105 crank.

Allez Comp. Double 2005 (Al.)

Just about as aggressive geometry as the E5. Not quite as fancy a bike. But very close, impressive enough and probably more comfortable because it has carbon seat stays, which are definitely not on the 04 E5 and I don't think on the 2005 E5 either. I've ridden an 04 comp which has no carbon stays and a slightly lower grade of aluminum than the 05; it is a nice bike but the geometry would cause me back trouble.

I ride an Allez - I don't find the geometry all that comfortable. If you have the $$$, who can say no to carbon? 🙂

I ride an Allez, I like the geometry.

But the difference between an Allez and a S-Works or Roubaix is like 3 or 4 lbs. And a completely different ride quality.

I'd just find an LBS and ride them all. The Allez is entry level, the S-Works is TDF level.

I recently purchased an 04' Roubaix Elite(alum/carbon/ultegra). I absolutely love it! I took many rides on a variety of bikes(specialized/trek), and without a doubt, the Roubaix was the most comfortable, and as far as i'm concerned, at least equal to the others in performance. I found the Allez to be much less comfortable after back to back rides on each bike on the same roads. I don't think you can go wromg with the Roubaix.

RobotDeathSquad said:

I ride an Allez, I like the geometry.

But the difference between an Allez and a S-Works or Roubaix is like 3 or 4 lbs. And a completely different ride quality.

I'd just find an LBS and ride them all. The Allez is entry level, the S-Works is TDF level.

I'm not so sure about your weight differences. It depends on the model of Allez you have. I ride an Allez also and agree with you on the geometry. It's relatively agressive (much like the S-works I suspect) so it takes a little getting used to.

The Roubaix is considered to be a VERY comfortable bike from everything I've ever read about it.

What is your budget?

The models you listed are all great bikes - within their price range.

I have an Allez Comp that I paid about $1800 for and I love it. It is all aluminum and I haven't been wishing for carbon seat stays. The carbon fork and seatpost are more than sufficient for me. My rides are usually longer, from 30 to 50 miles, and I find it very comfy at mile 50.

I took the Roubaix for a long test ride, and it wasn't bad at all, but if you get out of the saddle and sprint, you can really feel the difference between the Roubaix and the Allez. The Roubaix felt kind of squishy under heavy load, whereas the Allez Comp was crisp and responsive. The Allez was really the most responsive of all the bikes I test rode (about 10 or 12 - steel, alu, alu/carbon and all carbon).

If you are very serious about racing and you expect to spend significant time racing out of the saddle (sprinting, hard climbing, etc.), then you may want to go with an all-aluminum frame. Plenty of people race with carbon frames too (like the Trek 5500), so I guess it comes down to personal preference. But the Roubaix is really designed for long but more casual riding, like a charity ride or club Century, where comfort is the primary concern. As others have noted it does not have an aggressive racing geometry.

Having said that, if money were no object, I might just pick the 2005 S-Works Tarmac E5 Dura-Ace. (a mere $5,500 for a top of the line alu/carbon racer)

Bottom line, pick whichever model you like best when you test ride, and I am sure you will be very happy!

And if you haven't already, check out http://www.specialized.com - a very good web site with lots of info.

Good Luck!

StonerLakeLover said:

Hi! I'm a mountain biker entering my first year of collegiate road racing and getting a bike. I want to go with Specialized but I'm not sure of the pros/cons of the following models. I'm also new to road racing so I don't understand all the specs on their website.

S-Works E5 2005 (I think this is carbon?)
Tarmac Pro 2005 (carbon and Al.frame, how's that work?)
Roubaix Comp Double 2005 (very carbon)
Allez Comp. Double 2005 (Al.)

I'm 5'9" 160 pound serious female rider who wants to break into the racing scene. The road races I'm looking at are 30-60 miles. The country roads I practice on are known for their vibrations and random holes (this makes me lean towards carbon). I plan on taking some test rides but I would love to know what you professionals think!

Just be sure to test ride a Roubaix - I just purchased the pro model, and it is fast and incredibly comfortable. I was looking for something that had comparable comfort to my Sequoia Elite, but was much lighter (faster). I happened into a bike shop in the San Juan Islands to the NE of Seattle during my summer vacation. The manager of the shop (Specialized dealer) had been riding and racing for years, and his ride of choice was the Roubaix Comp. He could see no reason for paying the extra for the Pro. I was going to get a Comp, but my LBS had an irresistable deal on a leftover Pro so I went that route. I have been to three other Specialized dealers that had S-works bikes in stock and one that even had a Tarmac, and they were most excited about the Roubaix. I now understand why. BTW, I couldn't believe the difference in hill climbing speed of my new Roubaix over my Sequoia! Amazing!

Why limit yourself to a brand?

I'm not questioning Specialized, they make great bikes that often present great/creative engineering (the Roubaix is an incredible blend of comfort + speed) or solid values. But there's a lot else out there. Just curious...

EVERYONE -thank you so much for your help.

So far. . .
OUT:
S-Works E5 2005 (doesn't fit me well)

HELP!:
Roubaix Comp Double 2005: I like the smooth feel on roads, but I've heard that carbon inserts don't last? I'm worried that the frame will flex as I have a tendency to really power up hills. I am 160-165 pounds and I've heard that carbon frames can't take that well. How are you guys with carbon frames doing?

Allez Comp. Double 2005: This fits my budget better but I don't want to outgrow it. And I'm worried that the geometry will bother my back because it has less give (I'm recovering from a back injuriy that only really bothers me when I hit potholes)

Basically it comes down to Carbon Frame vs. AL. Frame (dun dun dah)
I'm ride testing both finalists again this Saturday. Will post results. Any thoughts comparing frames would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards,
Kristin

RC2 said:

Why limit yourself to a brand?

I'm not questioning Specialized, they make great bikes that often present great/creative engineering (the Roubaix is an incredible blend of comfort + speed) or solid values. But there's a lot else out there. Just curious...

Good question! My college team has a sponsorship through them so that will help me in the $$ area. Plus, I have a Specialized 2003 Stumpjumper M4 Mountain Bike that I'm in love with.

Mansmind said:

I'm not so sure about your weight differences. It depends on the model of Allez you have. I ride an Allez also and agree with you on the geometry. It's relatively agressive (much like the S-works I suspect) so it takes a little getting used to.

The Roubaix is considered to be a VERY comfortable bike from everything I've ever read about it.

Well, the Allez Sport is the Alluminum/CF model I believe and it weights 18.25lbs or so, and comes with Ultegra.

The S-Works is 90% CF and comes with Dura Ace and is sub 16lbs.

Bottom line, if your choosing between those two you posted, and you can afford the Roubaix, and ride is equal, you want the Roubaix. Mavic wheels, dura ace hubs and group, there's really no contest.

From what I've read, CF is at a very acceptable level of durability. 160lbs is no big deal. 180-200lbs, then you start thinking about it.

I wish I had Specialized sponsoring me!

Based on you using the bike for racing, I think if the Allez comp fits you (get the LBS to pay special attention to that when you try them again), it's the better option. The two models are quite a bit different in terms of geometry, with the Allez being the racing frame.

That said, some member(s?) of team Domina used a Roubaix in the TdF pave stages although I'm not sure if it was an off-the-shelf frame, or custom stiffened version. Still, in a sprint or on a climb, will you be annoyed by the flex?

RC2 said:

I wish I had Specialized sponsoring me!

Based on you using the bike for racing, I think if the Allez comp fits you (get the LBS to pay special attention to that when you try them again), it's the better option. The two models are quite a bit different in terms of geometry, with the Allez being the racing frame.

That said, some member(s?) of team Domina used a Roubaix in the TdF pave stages although I'm not sure if it was an off-the-shelf frame, or custom stiffened version. Still, in a sprint or on a climb, will you be annoyed by the flex?

Dura Ace, Dura Ace, Dura Ace. IMO.

RobotDeathSquad said:

Dura Ace, Dura Ace, Dura Ace. IMO.

$, $, $. IMO.

Only real benefit of DA over Ultegra is 10sp vs. 9sp cassette (but doesn't that go away with '05 Ultegra?) Spending extra to get DA is spending money on bling and a weight savings you can beat with a haircut.

StonerLakeLover said:

EVERYONE -thank you so much for your help.

So far. . .
OUT:
S-Works E5 2005 (doesn't fit me well)

HELP!:
Roubaix Comp Double 2005: I like the smooth feel on roads, but I've heard that carbon inserts don't last? I'm worried that the frame will flex as I have a tendency to really power up hills. I am 160-165 pounds and I've heard that carbon frames can't take that well. How are you guys with carbon frames doing?

Allez Comp. Double 2005: This fits my budget better but I don't want to outgrow it. And I'm worried that the geometry will bother my back because it has less give (I'm recovering from a back injuriy that only really bothers me when I hit potholes)

Basically it comes down to Carbon Frame vs. AL. Frame (dun dun dah)
I'm ride testing both finalists again this Saturday. Will post results. Any thoughts comparing frames would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards,
Kristin

If you have an injured back, then you may have to forgo stiffness in favor of shock absorption.

I wouldn't worry too much about you being too heavy for carbon - 160 lbs is considered quite light! 😉

When you say that you really power up hills, are you standing up and mashing the pedals, or doing a powerful, seated climb? If it is the latter you can probably get carbon stays without compromising performance.

My vote is the Allez Comp double with carbon, fork, stays and seatpost, but still a racing geometry. You might also want to check out the Dolce Expert - it is a Women's Specific Design (WSD) and might be a better fit, if you are not comfortable on the Allez. Plus it has the new Ultegra 20 group!

It's really not able the components. I'm more concerned with the feeling of the bikes and what's going to be best for racing. I can always upgrade components if needed . . . it's Carbon Frame vs. Al Frame. Will post after I ride. Thanks for all the input!!!!

StonerLakeLover said:

It's really not able the components. I'm more concerned with the feeling of the bikes and what's going to be best for racing. I can always upgrade components if needed . . . it's Carbon Frame vs. Al Frame. Will post after I ride. Thanks for all the input!!!!

Sorry the above was the response to the 'bling' 'bling' comment.
=================================================

Randy that really makes sense and I appreciate your help.

Not to let this turn into a DA vs Ultegra thread, but just go in and take the wheel off a Ultegra bike and spin it and hold on to the hubs and feel how smooth it is, then do the same for a DA hub. It's the little things that make DA worth the $,$,$. IMO

Ok, I'm done, have a test ride and good luck.

Hi Kristin,

Where did you hear the Zertz inserts don't last? I have another post where someone told me that I better "glue them in because they will fall out". Of course, he had no proof of this. I just bought a plain ol' Roubaix and I love it. Did test rides with Trek 2200, Felt, Cannondale, and Giant. Along with Allez and Sequoia. Roubaix won hands down, for the most comfortable ride. Allez was just too aggresive for my old bones, and the Sequoia was very nice, but definitely a notch below the Roubaix.... I'm just curious where these comments about the inserts are coming from..... does anyone have any facts on this..... or is it the latest urban myth spread by other manufacture lovers who don't have a competing product?

StonerLakeLover said:

EVERYONE -thank you so much for your help.

So far. . .
OUT:
S-Works E5 2005 (doesn't fit me well)

HELP!:
Roubaix Comp Double 2005: I like the smooth feel on roads, but I've heard that carbon inserts don't last? I'm worried that the frame will flex as I have a tendency to really power up hills. I am 160-165 pounds and I've heard that carbon frames can't take that well. How are you guys with carbon frames doing?

Allez Comp. Double 2005: This fits my budget better but I don't want to outgrow it. And I'm worried that the geometry will bother my back because it has less give (I'm recovering from a back injuriy that only really bothers me when I hit potholes)

Basically it comes down to Carbon Frame vs. AL. Frame (dun dun dah)
I'm ride testing both finalists again this Saturday. Will post results. Any thoughts comparing frames would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards,
Kristin