I am after a new road bike (which I’ll mostly strip down to the F+F) for riding, training and longer tri’s. I currently have a Felt F65 (non oversize aluminium) which is light (1300gm + 400gm F+F) and comfortable. I’m looking for something lighter and comfortable without being flexy. I’m looking at up to £2K spend – seems the only/cheapest way to get these frames without buying S-works.
2014 Specialized look good – it seems most of the Roubaix & Tarmac low end bikes are “SL4” which means they are light, but are there different grades of SL4 (I’ve seen “SL4 pro”, “SL4 race” etc)?
I am veering towards the Roubaix – is it much heavier / flexier than equivalent Tarmac? (I have bad memories of riding a £6K Stork that shook my teeth out after 100m!) Is it going to feel slouchy? It’s 5.5cm higher at the front that my current bike. (which is set 2cm lower than usual, for tri bars)
I can get Specialized cheap, Cannondale and Giant also, but not as cheap.