Pooks,

Maybe you remember, I've just gone through what you're doing now. You say you rode the Allez, and talked with the dealer about the Roubaix a bit. I rode the Allez too, after test riding the Dolce (women specific) and liked the feel of it better than the feel of the Dolce, where I felt a definite scrunching. It is a new sensation, leaning forward more, and does take some getting used to, and like Mimi said, making myself do those crunches!

For me, though, living in a mountainous region of the country, I felt that the Triple chainring would be important to me. (and yes, I use every one of those gears!) That's when my bike dude said, well, let's look at this other model and we started talking about the Roubaix. He was about to show me this year's model, when we discovered the one I bought -- a year or two old, with better components than what I would have gotten on this year's model. The ride is similar, but more comfortable than what I experienced on the Allez.

We took the bike home pretty much unmodified, which was what my guy suggested, since I'm changing bike style so drastically. He said give it a couple of hundred miles before we make any changes, since it's so foreign -- I'm capable of doing seat adjustments, and I think I've got that situated pretty well now, at least until we start in on some "more drastic" adjustments. I think some changes are needed in the handlebars, but I'm impressed with how quickly I feel mighty darned comfy on this bike without any real fittings so far!

So, like I say, give that Roubaix a try!!!!!

Karen in Boise