5'9", need comfort geometry

[Kano]

What Tulip says!

I am kind of long-bodied, and I used to think short legged, but maybe they're not so short anymore now that I'm not so round. I don't feel like I'm stretched out on my bike -- I have a 90cm stem and we rotated some kind of gizmo to angle the handlebars up a bit.

It could be that I just like to be stretched out in general, so it feels more natural to me?

Karen in Boise

[Yen]

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's true... a person's height does not really determine the size. That's counter-intuitive, but it's starting to make sense.

I got measured today and, sure enough, a 54 is for me. I may be able to borrow a 54cm Roubaix Expert Triple this weekend and see how I feel on it. I already know the 56 was too big but I loved its smooth ride. I need a comfort geometry road bike and if this one fits me, it may be the one. I'm not sure though if I'll go for the Expert or the Comp.... I'll see how I can cut corners on other expenses to help the decision.

[kermit]

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

[Yen]

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

Kermit, thanks for enabling me. I'm trying to come to terms with the price and if the $900 would really get me THAT much more than the Comp. The Comp also sounds like an excellent bike. I'm afraid if I ride the Expert there will be no turning back. If I can be completely satisfied that the difference in price is really worth it, I'll probably go for it. I could join a vanpool at work and save $1200 a year and cut back in other areas.

So, you think the Zertz inserts really do make a difference? I have nothing to compare this with being that I ride a Hybrid now, and haven't owned a road bike for 20+ years.

[kermit]

I think you need to ride everything to appreciate them. I started with a low end shimano 105 aluminum bike and made the mistake of going into a specialied store where there was a SALE. So the 2005 roubaix comp (full ultegra at the time) was amazing to me. Like I mentioned I have injuries from my former hobby of showing horses and the back would kill me on the aluminum bike. The comp vs. the expert is now a big money difference (sorry, I am a bad influence) but this will be a FOREVER bike. If the expert is what you want, do it. The comp. is a great bike but I think now it has 105 and ulterga mixed. Still good stuff, but upgradeable. The expert has a wicked paint scheme with the red striping. Really cool.

[Yen]

I think you need to ride everything to appreciate them. I started with a low end shimano 105 aluminum bike and made the mistake of going into a specialied store where there was a SALE. So the 2005 roubaix comp (full ultegra at the time) was amazing to me. Like I mentioned I have injuries from my former hobby of showing horses and the back would kill me on the aluminum bike. The comp vs. the expert is now a big money difference (sorry, I am a bad influence) but this will be a FOREVER bike. If the expert is what you want, do it. The comp. is a great bike but I think now it has 105 and ulterga mixed. Still good stuff, but upgradeable. The expert has a wicked paint scheme with the red striping. Really cool.

Why, you enabler you! I saw a Ruby Expert in person at another shop.... zowie, is it beautiful. It was a 54 and too small (that size matches the 52 Roubaix which is a size too small for me).

Has your husband made any comments about the Roubaix on fast descents? I've read some comments on-line that concern me about shakiness on fast descents (40+ mph). Now, I am not planning to go that fast downhill as I get a little scared at 30 mph, but I'm wondering if that is a fact about the Roubaix CF frame. Yet, so many love this bike that if that were a common problem then it seems we'd be reading a lot about it.

I still haven't ridden a C'dale Synnapse but I want to test ride a 54cm Roubaix first to see how it feels in my size.

[Kano]

Has your husband made any comments about the Roubaix on fast descents? I've read some comments on-line that concern me about shakiness on fast descents (40+ mph). Now, I am not planning to go that fast downhill as I get a little scared at 30 mph, but I'm wondering if that is a fact about the Roubaix CF frame. Yet, so many love this bike that if that were a common problem then it seems we'd be reading a lot about it.

For what it's worth -- and I haven't done an 40mph descents yet -- I haven't noticed any shakiness when descending that hasn't started with ME. I feel pretty stable on my Roubaix. A little vibration from the chip seal maybe, but that's not the bike either!

Karen in Boise