Quote:
Originally Posted by ntan
This makes me wonder, is an 'endurance' bike really what I'm looking for? ie. Specialized Roubaix. I'm not looking to race, but a big motivation to pick up cycling is equally for fitness and, hopefully, ride with friends to Squamish, Whistler, or down to the States, etc.
It seems like I should be looking more towards a 'performance-oriented' bike, ie. Specialized Tarmac etc.? I notice those 'performance-oriented' bikes typically don't have disc brake options.
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First step, get fitted. Second read up on what the tarmac is good for and what the roubaix is good for. Roubaix is fine if you aren't racing. A comparable bike would be the cannondale synapse line I would say. Tarmac and roubaix are both "performance" bikes that excel in their own respects. Roubaix will absorb more road harshness and cause less fatiguing, while tarmac loses out the damping but gains slightly in stiffness and speed.
If you are going long distance and don't care to sprint, roubaix is about as smooth riding as road bikes get from Spesh. If this is your first road bike ever, chances are it will feel harsh and fast no matter which frame you choose. From the roubaix onward, (tarmac, venge) only gets harsher and stiffer when you no longer get zertz paired with a carbon frame.