I am very happy to report that I now have a road bike again. Yes, my new Roubaix is now home, and we had our first trainer ride together tonight. But before I start to blather about everything I like about the bike, I want to take a few lines and tell everyone know just how good the service at Erik's Bikeshop and Specialized is. 

If you've read my last few posts here, you know the story about my cracked frame, and that the crack was at the front of the seat tube. Some manufacturers and bike shops might have claimed that this was caused by a user over-tightening the seat post clamp. I was indeed worried that this would be the case and I would end up shelling out big money for a replacement from Specialized. Specialized, as some of you may know, has a replacement program whereby they'll replace a frame no longer under warranty for 75% of retail. This would have meant I would have had to pay around $1200 (at least that's what the tech I spoke to at Specialized told me when I called) to get a Roubaix back on the road.

Boy, am I glad I purchased the bike from Erik's originally. After talking to Specialized, I packed the bike up and headed off to Erik's to plead my case.

Once there, Eric, the mechanic (not Erik the owner) takes a look at it and proclaims it not salvageable. After examining it and the seatpost, Eric called Specialized. They decide that it wasn't caused by over-tightening the seatpost (I've always been VERY careful) and say that they're going to replace it with a 2007 Roubaix frame.

Phew!

Erik's has been a great place to do business with. I cannot say enough about how good they have been to Linda and I. We've purchased a total of 8 bikes from them since we've started riding. They have been rock solid for us. Way beyond just selling us bikes and taking our money. The employees have been great to us.  Sales people Bob, Matt, Dan. Charlie and mechanics Eric and Andy, Sales Manager Dave O.,  (forgive me if I left anybody out) - you guys have been great.

I'm convinced that our progress in this great activity would not have been as smooth, or as rapid, had we made our purchases from a store that was less helpful. Who you purchase a bike from really does make a difference, and I can whole-heartedly, and without reservation recommend these folks!

Ok, now for some pics :)

Here's a side shot of it. You can  sort of see the new seatpost here. It's an S-Works carbon. The old one was the standard Specialized composite seatpost with zertz that came on the bike. It was comfortable, but heavier than this one, and also had the two-bolt adjustment that was always a pain for quick adjustments.

Here's a shot of the cockpit. FSA K-Wing handlebars and Ritchey WCS stem. No handlebar tape yet.

The stem cap is aimed at me and is a reminder every time I get on the bike. I don't like pain, but it seems I 'm always suffering.

Just snapping some pics. I like the new colors of the Roubaix and the new weave on the carbon.

Here's a shot of the one of the seatstays complete with zertz. I like the new weave on the '07 carbon. Also, the frame is a half pound lighter than the '05.

Anyway, that's the new one.

Later!

Steve (aka Cheeseflavor)