roubaix pro vs custom steel?

[caligurl]

ok ladies! i asked this at another forum.. and got a plethora of good answers.. now let me bring it to you.... the same gender!

i've been dreaming about a new bike practically since i started riding! (bad me!) the main bike that has topped my dream list is a custom luna steel. however.. recently i saw, and fell in love with.. the specialized roubaix pro.

i LOVE the look of the roubaix.. i, personally think it's sleek and very sexy! however i'm concerned about fit. since i ride a WDS that doesn't fit the greatest.. (made to fit with a teenie tiny severely angled stem)... the 49 roubaix has measurement that at slightly less than mine.. so MAY work.. but getting a bike shop to bring in a 49, $4000 bike when i'm not even certain i want it.. just to try.. well... that's probably wishful thinking!

now the luna... i like that it would be custom made to fit me.. but that presents another problem.. part of the thrill of getting a new bike is how it looks... well from everything i have been able to read.. due to my size.. i will most likely end up with a bike with 650 wheels (thus my other thread!) so far i can only find 4 or 5 manufacturers of 650 wheels and i'm not thrilled with the look of any of them (ideally.. i want the dura-ace wheels if i go dura-ace and the campy eros if i go campy! ) THOSE are some purdy wheels!

but i digress... i know, logically and intelligently.. that i need to go with fit over looks... but it's hard to look at the roubaix (or even think of asking to have a luna made with 700 that no doubt won't fit as well) so that i can get the look i want....

opinions? ideas? recommendation? (other than another brand of bike.. these are the ONLY two in contention... i've looked and looked and looked... and these are the only two contenders!)

thanx, ladies!

[bouncybouncy]

I am not familiar with many road bikes (thank goodness my fiancee is a research nut & we are well connected at the LBS) I found the PERFECT bike I too am small and had quite a time finding a bike...because Chris & I plan on taking many road trips with our bikes I hated the thought of having 2 different wheel sizes between us. I went to the LBS to get fitted first to see what my options were to begin with (never owned a road bike before) The answer was almost too easy...I ended up with a 50" Gunnar. There was just not too many choices out there. We decided to go for the sorta higher-end because I LOVED (understatement) mtbiking I would become a road junkie just the same! (yes the bug has bit HARD) Steel frame...and yes...700 wheels It is hard to say the total cost cause there was alot of "extras" being I needed the entire ball of wax...pedals, shoes, gloves, computer...etc. The bike was custom built and ran about $2000 give or take. I think most of the components are ultegra (???) like I said I am not familiar and the bike is at home...I did get a high-end carbon fork.

We looked into carbon frames but I was told many times that when you compress carbon fiber small enough to make a small bike it is actually a stiffer ride than aluminum. I dont know anything else but my precious pink pup so I can't compare...but I can tell you it is an awesome ride!!! If you want more info I can let you know but I will have to wait till I get home to get the parts right...

BTW...Gunnar is a Waterford bike with different paint (same frame as the high-end Waterford bikes)

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/

[SadieKate]

The "ooooh" factor alone would make me choose the Luna. Custom? You bet? Steel? Ditto!

I'm sure you know all the pros and cons by now of 650 wheels. At the price your planning, I would go with the bike that you know will fit you.

[slinkedog]

Caligurl... I don't know much about steel vs. carbon, but I test drove a Roubaix Comp before I bought the Roubaix Elite (which is aluminum with carbon fork, rear triangle and seatpost) and I LOVED it. I love my Roubaix Elite, but still lust for the pro or comp.

[CorsairMac]

I love steel over alum any day and I haven't ridden carbon yet. My ole Peugeot is steel and it is such a sweet ride on the road. I now have a vintage Trek Alum and it was like riding a car with bad shocks! LOLOL I'm getting used to it but I sure do love steel.

As a foot note: I would take a Luna anyday coz A) she lives/works in Santa Fe which is all of 55 miles from me and B) she's a ....well a she! LOL......as for the tires, I can't help ya there much since all 4 of my bikes have different size tires so I just don't think about it.

[MomOnBike]

Between DH and I there are three (3) different wheel sizes. Not ideal, and I catch, er, flack for William's 2 wheel sizes, but it's not that big a deal. I just haul along both size tubes - actually, it's three sizes since I carry his too - and smile when he teases me. MY bike was built this century!