old vs new

[sundial]

Just for kicks I got out Silver, my old faithful '05 Specialized Sequoia, and took her for a ride. This bike weighs probably about 19.5 lbs and has a triple and 700x25's. I jumped on her and away we went. I noticed that my av speed and cadence were the same on this bike as my '08 Roubaix, which weighs 17.5 lbs.

I then took her out for hill climbing today and I thought I'd have an easier time with a triple. Turns out I couldn't tell much, if any, difference in performance. Occasionally ghost shifting occurred on the triple. Aside from the better components on the compact double Roubaix, I didn't see a big difference in the performance of the two bikes.

So it's true--it's not about the bike.

[Zen]

Hill climbing, eh?
You must be feeling spunky

[sundial]

Gotta get do hills so I can keep up with you 17 mph folks.

[Zen]

I've only ridden my road bike once this year-I'm enjoying my new bike too much!

[madscot13]

I'm enjoying my new bike too much!

and that is the way it should be!

[sundial]

I've only ridden my road bike once this year-I'm enjoying my new bike too much!

That's because you want to hang out with the canal boys.

[Zen]

yeah, well...

[divingbiker]

Just for kicks I got out Silver, my old faithful '05 Specialized Sequoia, and took her for a ride. This bike weighs probably about 19.5 lbs and has a triple and 700x25's. I jumped on her and away we went. I noticed that my av speed and cadence were the same on this bike as my '08 Roubaix, which weighs 17.5 lbs.

I then took her out for hill climbing today and I thought I'd have an easier time with a triple. Turns out I couldn't tell much, if any, difference in performance. Occasionally ghost shifting occurred on the triple. Aside from the better components on the compact double Roubaix, I didn't see a big difference in the performance of the two bikes.

So it's true--it's not about the bike.

Well, this is not motivating me to buy a new bike. I have an '05 Sequoia also. I guess I have to admit that if I get a new bike, it's just because I want one, not because I need one.

[7rider]

Aside from the better components on the compact double Roubaix, I didn't see a big difference in the performance of the two bikes.

So it's true--it's not about the bike.

I'm actually a bit surprised by that. Isn't one bike designed more for recreational riding and the other more for performance? I don't know the Specialized line, but I would think the fit, the stiffness, the handling, and the overall behavior on the pavement would be very different. I don't know if it is discouraging for a new bike, but it is puzzling about the Specialized lineup.

My Axiom is much softer than my ID8. I haven't been on the Axiom since I build up the ID8 (sadly...but I did just buy new pedals for it, so it's ready to ride if I should want to give up the bliss that is the ID8 for a day)...but if I did, I'm sure I would notice the difference in the handling. The wheels alone are night-and-day b/t the 2 bikes -- mine are both geared the same...compact crank (50-34) and 12-25 in the back.

[OakLeaf]

-snif- you're making me miss my '84 Sequoia. I supposedly sold her to a friend of my ex-husband's, but she turned out to be a junkie, and not only did I never get paid for the bike, but she sold it and stuck it in her arm

Even though I gave that bike up voluntarily, the result is that I probably miss her more than I do the one that was well and truly stolen from me.

[sundial]

I'm actually a bit surprised by that. Isn't one bike designed more for recreational riding and the other more for performance?

The Roubaix is a zippy, plush bike and the Sequoia is geared more towards fitness riders. I did notice that 23 vs 25 tires do make a difference on climbs. But then the geometry of the Roubaix is a little more aggressive and climbs better, me thinks.

I still wouldn't want to give up my Roubaix though. Just glad to know that if my Roubaix is sick, I can count on Silver to give me a comparable ride.