Just bought a new bicycle...MR cyclists, how'd I do?

glocke12 · Mar 15, 2013, 07:45 PM

Some background...

Used to do alot of mountain biking, but stopped about 7 years ago due to time considerations (most good places to ride are at least an hour away from me by car), and switched to road riding using a circa 1980 Fuji Royale that was too large, too heavy, and too uncomfortable to ride. I stuck it out with that bike for the past five years riding about 100 miles a week during the spring/summer/fall months.

Finally broke down and decided to buy a new bike, with an intended budget of $1000.00. I did a little bit of research, just enough to get a feel for what is currently out there and what bikes were getting what reviews...

Visited a couple of different shops, and settled on one that seemed to have a friendly, knowledgable staff...

End result, after riding 5-6 different models over two days I walked away with a Specialized Roubaix Sport Compact.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...tcompact#specs

It was more than I had intended on spending, but the ride was so superior to the bikes in my price range I said **** it, plus I was able to negotiate a little bit (Got it for $1899.00 out the door).

Im happy with the purchase, and I am sure there are a gazillion other bikes to choose from at that price. Interested in hearing opinions from the cyclists on this forum about this bike though...

AustinIllini · Mar 15, 2013, 09:44 PM

Awesome bike! I bought a Specialized Secteur some time ago, so I'm quite envious.

It really doesn't matter what we think of your bike, if you like it and it feels right, you made an excellent choice!

ucfgrad93 · Mar 15, 2013, 10:50 PM

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

Orange Crane · Mar 15, 2013, 11:07 PM

^^ easy to spend that and more on a good bike. The specialized site is being a bit odd right now though.

It's not my personal style but looks like it'll go the distance, and if it's a better ride than what you've had it was a good buy. A hundred miles a week on a poorly fitting bike is no fun. Good time of year for a new bike.

dukebound85 · Mar 15, 2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange Crane

^^ easy to spend that and more on a good bike. The specialized site is being a bit odd right now though.

It's not my personal style but looks like it'll go the distance, and if it's a better ride than what you've had it was a good buy. A hundred miles a week on a poorly fitting bike is no fun. Good time of year for a new bike.

Yup

I am saving for a nice road bike as well. Most "good" ones are easily in the multiple thousands

Cartaphilus · Mar 15, 2013, 11:26 PM

My experience is that once your budget allows you to buy good wheels and a good drivetrain, it comes down to weight and personal preference. For me, and I think for most halfway serious riders, the adjustment of a properly sized frame to the riding style and dimensions of the rider makes far more difference than anything else. After you're in cycling shape and have been riding the bike regularly for a couple of weeks, take it to a shop with an experienced and trained fitter. I think you may be surprised how much difference small tweaks make. You may also get some suggestions for altering your position on the bike as your fitness improves and as you develop more particular interests, like sprinting, climbing, endurance, or competing.

Specialized is well-regarded brand, and you certainly didn't go wrong. Different people look for different things from a bike, have different budgets, different riding positions, and different aesthetic sensibilities; at this level there isn't a lot of worthwhile arguing about taste. For most of us on a bike that fits well, the amount of pressure in the tires makes more difference in the ride quality than would switching to another brand in the same price range.

From now on it's a matter of making the bike yours, taking good care of it, and finding a way to consistently motivate yourself once the excitement of a new bicycle fades. Just like mountain bike riding, finding a compatible group to ride with on a regular basis is a great way to keep yourself in the saddle, to learn more about the sport, and to make yourself feel a lot better about what you spent to get a good bike.

Use it in good health.

Cartaphilus · Mar 15, 2013, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

e.g.: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/proje...iesteamedition

$12,389.98, plus tax...plus pedals, a bike computer, bottle cages, a saddlebag, lights, car rack, shoes and cleats, a helmet, cycling clothing for all seasons, and a divorce lawyer.

It adds up.

AustinIllini · Mar 15, 2013, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

You totally know where that extra money went when you ride it.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cartaphilus

e.g.: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/proje...iesteamedition

$12,389.98, plus tax...plus pedals, a bike computer, bottle cages, a saddlebag, lights, car rack, shoes and cleats, a helmet, cycling clothing for all seasons, and a divorce lawyer.

It adds up.

No PEDs included.

glocke12 · Mar 16, 2013, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

Yeah, that what I was saying, trust me. This bike is equal to one mortgage payment for me, so financially its significant to me, I'll be eating lots of ramen for some time to make up for this. They had bikes on the wall that were $14,000.00

When I walked in with a top most budget of $1000.00, I thought that was overspending, I really only wanted to pay $800 or so, but than I started test riding the different bikes and realized I needed to make some adjustments to my budget if I wanted to get one that offered a good ride.

OllyW · Mar 16, 2013, 03:44 AM

Nice bike!

Don't forget to post a photo of it in the picture thread.

trustever · Mar 16, 2013, 05:41 AM

can't access the link but if remember correctly I have see in it in a shop last week when I went to get new tyres.. Is that the full carbon fiber model (both frame and forks)? in that case you made a good deal, you will definitively enjoy it!
I wish I could afford one as expensive as yours...

avro707 · Mar 16, 2013, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle?

I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.

Mate, that's nothing.

Don't ask how I know that....

glocke12: Make sure you get a good fit done on the bike. That will make your riding a lot more enjoyable. And the fit will change too, as you do.

Cool bike - enjoy riding it. I nearly went Specialized myself when I was starting off, but got a Trek, thanks to the persuasion powers of a very well known Sydney bike store in Clarence Street.

People who see me can't believe how much I've changed - they are shocked that I'm weighing only 62kg now.

glocke12 · Mar 16, 2013, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trustever

can't access the link but if remember correctly I have see in it in a shop last week when I went to get new tyres.. Is that the full carbon fiber model (both frame and forks)? in that case you made a good deal, you will definitively enjoy it!
I wish I could afford one as expensive as yours...

yes, full carbon fiber model....

trustever · Mar 17, 2013, 02:05 PM

Good Stuff Man!

Tech686239 · Mar 20, 2013, 10:52 AM

Very nice. My dad has that bike and loves it!

DisplacedMic · Mar 23, 2013, 07:04 AM

nice bike!

i love my Trek 520 more than i love my car.
it's easy to pay a lot for a bike... i think i only paid about 1200 for my Trek new - but then i replaced the seat and rack and bought new Arkel panniers to go with it... so i definitely topped 2k at the end of the day.

but the bike changed my life...small price to pay.

Mar 15, 2013, 07:45 PM	#1
glocke12 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008	Just bought a new bicycle...MR cyclists, how'd I do? Some background... Used to do alot of mountain biking, but stopped about 7 years ago due to time considerations (most good places to ride are at least an hour away from me by car), and switched to road riding using a circa 1980 Fuji Royale that was too large, too heavy, and too uncomfortable to ride. I stuck it out with that bike for the past five years riding about 100 miles a week during the spring/summer/fall months. Finally broke down and decided to buy a new bike, with an intended budget of $1000.00. I did a little bit of research, just enough to get a feel for what is currently out there and what bikes were getting what reviews... Visited a couple of different shops, and settled on one that seemed to have a friendly, knowledgable staff... End result, after riding 5-6 different models over two days I walked away with a Specialized Roubaix Sport Compact. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...tcompact#specs It was more than I had intended on spending, but the ride was so superior to the bikes in my price range I said **** it, plus I was able to negotiate a little bit (Got it for $1899.00 out the door). Im happy with the purchase, and I am sure there are a gazillion other bikes to choose from at that price. Interested in hearing opinions from the cyclists on this forum about this bike though... __________________ Facebook: The place where people you've tried to forget about find you.
	0

Mar 15, 2013, 09:44 PM	#2
AustinIllini macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Austin, TX	Awesome bike! I bought a Specialized Secteur some time ago, so I'm quite envious. It really doesn't matter what we think of your bike, if you like it and it feels right, you made an excellent choice! __________________ Victory ILLINOIS Varsity
	0

Mar 16, 2013, 03:44 AM	#10
OllyW Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Black Country, England	Nice bike! Don't forget to post a photo of it in the picture thread. __________________ Some Apple stuff Some other stuff https://soundcloud.com/disco-tramps
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 10:52 AM	#15
Tech686239 macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada	Very nice. My dad has that bike and loves it! __________________ "Being fat isn't easy. Try putting on socks." 27" iMac \|\| 13" Macbook Pro & 15" Macbook Pro \|\| iPad 2 \|\| iPod 5G
	0

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Mar 15, 2013, 10:50 PM	#3
ucfgrad93 macrumors G4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado	Damn, almost two grand for a bicycle? I'd like to check it out but your link isn't working.
	0

Mar 15, 2013, 11:07 PM	#4
Orange Crane macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2012	^^ easy to spend that and more on a good bike. The specialized site is being a bit odd right now though. It's not my personal style but looks like it'll go the distance, and if it's a better ride than what you've had it was a good buy. A hundred miles a week on a poorly fitting bike is no fun. Good time of year for a new bike.
	0

Mar 15, 2013, 11:26 PM	#6
Cartaphilus macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2007	My experience is that once your budget allows you to buy good wheels and a good drivetrain, it comes down to weight and personal preference. For me, and I think for most halfway serious riders, the adjustment of a properly sized frame to the riding style and dimensions of the rider makes far more difference than anything else. After you're in cycling shape and have been riding the bike regularly for a couple of weeks, take it to a shop with an experienced and trained fitter. I think you may be surprised how much difference small tweaks make. You may also get some suggestions for altering your position on the bike as your fitness improves and as you develop more particular interests, like sprinting, climbing, endurance, or competing. Specialized is well-regarded brand, and you certainly didn't go wrong. Different people look for different things from a bike, have different budgets, different riding positions, and different aesthetic sensibilities; at this level there isn't a lot of worthwhile arguing about taste. For most of us on a bike that fits well, the amount of pressure in the tires makes more difference in the ride quality than would switching to another brand in the same price range. From now on it's a matter of making the bike yours, taking good care of it, and finding a way to consistently motivate yourself once the excitement of a new bicycle fades. Just like mountain bike riding, finding a compatible group to ride with on a regular basis is a great way to keep yourself in the saddle, to learn more about the sport, and to make yourself feel a lot better about what you spent to get a good bike. Use it in good health.
	1

Mar 16, 2013, 05:41 AM	#11
trustever macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2013	can't access the link but if remember correctly I have see in it in a shop last week when I went to get new tyres.. Is that the full carbon fiber model (both frame and forks)? in that case you made a good deal, you will definitively enjoy it! I wish I could afford one as expensive as yours...
	0

Mar 17, 2013, 02:05 PM	#14
trustever macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2013	Good Stuff Man!
	0

Mar 23, 2013, 07:04 AM	#16
DisplacedMic macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2009	nice bike! i love my Trek 520 more than i love my car. it's easy to pay a lot for a bike... i think i only paid about 1200 for my Trek new - but then i replaced the seat and rack and bought new Arkel panniers to go with it... so i definitely topped 2k at the end of the day. but the bike changed my life...small price to pay.
	1