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General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

Piobaire

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I can't seen to find the integrated storage on this. :(

20210414_171906.jpg
 

patrick_b

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After my visit to the LBS this week, I browsed my way over to the Specialized site to check stock. My LBS only had entry level or top end Roubaix ($3K or $13K). No models available to online but I found the exact bike I want (right color even) in a store about 100 mi away in CT. I get down that way for work so it would be an easy jaunt for me.

As much as I'd love a custom (last bike I'll ever buy) kind of bike, buying from a big brand is so economical when it comes to the grouppo. This is the Roubaix Expert which is full Ultegra Di2 for $5K. Interestingly my current bike is also the Roubaix Expert from 2008. Fairly certain I got my money's worth out of it and it fits and rides exactly as I like.

Decisions, decisions...I'm sure it won't last.


rou2.jpg

roubaix.jpg


If I start talking up the safety concerns of a 13 year old CF frame at dinner tonight, I figure by sunday my wife will be so sick of hearing about it she'll tell me to buy it just to shut me up. If anybody has any tales (fictional or not) about exploding CF frames, I'm all ears.
 

smittycl

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If I start talking up the safety concerns of a 13 year old CF frame at dinner tonight, I figure by sunday my wife will be so sick of hearing about it she'll tell me to buy it just to shut me up. If anybody has any tales (fictional or not) about exploding CF frames, I'm all ears.
My usual course of action as well!
 

smittycl

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Post-ride Guinness and gratuitous cycling watch photo. I have a Garmin sports watch that tracks everything short of sperm count (I’m sure they are working on that) but prefer the simple dial that dive and pilot watches offer. Especially since I need reading glasses.

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flipstah

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Is a 6 speed cassette compatible with a 7 speed chain? Can't seem to find a 6 speed chain (outdated).

Or should I replace the cassette?
 

venessian

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Is a 6 speed cassette compatible with a 7 speed chain? Can't seem to find a 6 speed chain (outdated).

Or should I replace the cassette?

Short answer:
If your cassette is a Shimano (iirc it is) cassette, generally a Shimano 6/7/8-sp chain will work fine. Plus, as you point out 6-sp chains are very rare now.

Longer answer:
As cassettes and chains evolved (more gears) the only place to change dimensions to accomodate those gears (also why dropout spacing changed from 126mm to 130mm) was to reduce the sprocket spacing (6-sp cassettes have 5.5mm spacing, 7-sp have 5.0mm spacing, etc., now down to 12-sp ~3.65mm spacing); the thickness of the sprocket teeth themselves; and the thicknesses of the chain plates plus lengths of the chain pins.

So, ideally, 6:6, 7:7, etc., but there is some slack both in 6/7/8 and in 9/10/11. However, it is usually not recommended to use a thinner (in your case the 7-sp) chain on a thicker (in your case the 6-sp) cassette, whereas the other way (i.e. 7-sp chain on 8-sp cassette is generally +/- OK).

*****

I would recommend trying a 6/7/8-sp Shimano chain. You should be OK.

But, the worn and I assume very old 6-sp cassette means your new chain will wear out much more quickly engaging it, and then start damaging your chainrings as well, so you really should buy a new cassette and a new compatible chain at this point. The drive-train will be smoother, more reliable, and cost less in the long run.
 

patrick_b

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New bike day. I battled a freak April snowstorm to drive 2+ hours to buy this today. Last Roubaix Expert within 200 miles. The service guy was telling me that they just got word a week ago from Specialized corporate to not sell to out of state buyers. He thought it was a ridiculous directive given the supply and demand for bikes these days.

Hydraulic disc brakes and Ultegra Di2. What an upgrade!

DSC01067.jpg
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DSC01089.jpg
 

smittycl

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New bike day. I battled a freak April snowstorm to drive 2+ hours to buy this today. Last Roubaix Expert within 200 miles. The service guy was telling me that they just got word a week ago from Specialized corporate to not sell to out of state buyers. He thought it was a ridiculous directive given the supply and demand for bikes these days.

Hydraulic disc brakes and Ultegra Di2. What an upgrade!

View attachment 1594843 View attachment 1594844 View attachment 1594845 View attachment 1594846
Totally cool!!!
 

Piobaire

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It's beautiful but...what about the integrated storage situation?
 

Piobaire

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Dammit! I need to get my rims and Ultegra upgrades now so I'll have something to show.
 

smittycl

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It won’t be long before you are showing us your new steed! Looking forward to seeing your booze storage solution ?.
Feels like August is ages away. Hoping it comes earlier. They, of course, billed me for it already. Wankers.
 
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