What do you chaps think to this bike?

[WAVman]

It ticks the boxes I was looking for, except disc brakes. BUT, has Di2 shifting instead.

Way below my budget, so I could fund some better wheels as well.

It has already been on eBay for one week, not selling at £1200 start with no bids. The guy has relisted so it may come cheaper.

What do you think?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Merida-Reacto-7000e-56c...

[Hard-Drive]

I can't comment on the price, however having recently upgraded my own bike recently I'd never move away from discs, bolt through axles, and 28mm tyres as a minimum now. Feels like I'd "been doing it all wrong" for years.

In fairness I've never ridden a Di2 bike, but I'd personally put that lower down the list for me than discs and clearance. I can always upgrade to Di2 on my current bike if I want to, but you can never upgrade a rim braked bike to discs. Just depends on where your own priorities lie I guess. It does look nice though.

[WAVman]

Hard-Drive said:

I can't comment on the price, however having recently upgraded my own bike recently I'd never move away from discs, bolt through axles, and 28mm tyres as a minimum now. Feels like I'd "been doing it all wrong" for years.

In fairness I've never ridden a Di2 bike, but I'd personally put that lower down the list for me than discs and clearance. I can always upgrade to Di2 on my current bike if I want to, but you can never upgrade a rim braked bike to discs. Just depends on where your own priorities lie I guess. It does look nice though.

You have maybe solved this for me, discs were always a non-negotiable tbh. I think I have gone starry-eyed with Di2, but I know that for me it will make bugger all difference.

I'll keep looking!

[frisbee]

It depends what you want to use it for. Its going to be quick.

Its also going to be uncomfortable over long distances and useless in the winter.

Disk brakes are nice but if you are only a fair weather rider then they aren't an essential feature.

It looks almost unused.

[WAVman]

frisbee said:

It depends what you want to use it for. Its going to be quick.

Its also going to be uncomfortable over long distances and useless in the winter.

Disk brakes are nice but if you are only a fair weather rider then they aren't an essential feature.

It looks almost unused.

I'm an endurance rider, not a sprinter. I do have concerns about the Reacto being a bit aggressive for me.

I am a fair weather rider, but tbh I like the look of discs more!

I'm watching several more on eBay including a nice Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs.

Edited by WAVman on Friday 10th July 11:20

[Hard-Drive]

WAVman said:

I'm an endurance rider, not a sprinter. I do have concerns about the Reacto being a bit aggressive for me.

I am a fair weather rider, but tbh I like the look of discs more!

I'm watching several more on eBay including a nice Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs.

Edited by WAVman on Friday 10th July 11:20

Cool, sounds like a plan. Sorry to have burst your bubble but happy to have helped! I've gone from an aggressive geometry 53-39 equipped rim braked bone shaker on 23mm 110psi tyres to much fatter tyres at 80psi odd, a nice skinny seatpost, more relaxed geometry and much wider gears. Of course my new bike is waaaaaaay faster than the old one as it's not beating the crap out of me on every stone and hairline crack in the road, goes up hills without killing me and is massively more confidence inspiring in terms of handling, grip and braking. Being honest with my own riding style and ability and getting a bike to suit that was a very sensible call for me. For me personally now, having rim brakes on my road bike makes about as much sense as having V-brakes on my mountain bike (although I fully appreciate it's not the same for everyone).

[g7jhp]

WAVman said:

I'm an endurance rider, not a sprinter. I do have concerns about the Reacto being a bit aggressive for me.

I am a fair weather rider, but tbh I like the look of discs more!

I'm watching several more on eBay including a nice Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs.

Sounds like you should stick to finding a Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs. Maybe worth waiting until the new 2021 models are released later in July. This should see people upgrading and more 2018 bikes hitting eBay.

[Gareth79]

It does look very little-used. Di2 is nice, but that's the older 6870 with a stem junction box, so it's nothing amazing. If you do want disc then I'd agree saying stick with a disc bike because then you'll have the right wheels and can get Di2 later if you want.

Try and get centre-lock wheels with RT-800 rotors - they look the business!

[SomersetWestie]

g7jhp said:

Sounds like you should stick to finding a Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs. Maybe worth waiting until the new 2021 models are released later in July. This should see people upgrading and more 2018 bikes hitting eBay.

Got a feeling as the Tarmac & Diverge has been revamped for 2021, the Roubaix will actually be 2022 as it was revamped for 2020. This is generally how Specialized work, they only change every couple of years....... If you can get one, it's an awesome ride. I got the Ultegra a year ago and now wish I'd splurged more and gone Di2, so will keep riding and lust after the Di2 for 2022 when I can afford it again

But yep, as said above, 28mm tyres, hydro discs and thru axles makes a huge difference to all day rides and it feels like I've been missing out on something for a long time !

[WAVman]

How does this look?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Roubaix-56c...

[g7jhp]

SomersetWestie said:

g7jhp said:

Sounds like you should stick to finding a Specialized Roubaix with Di2 and discs. Maybe worth waiting until the new 2021 models are released later in July. This should see people upgrading and more 2018 bikes hitting eBay.

Got a feeling as the Tarmac & Diverge has been revamped for 2021, the Roubaix will actually be 2022 as it was revamped for 2020. This is generally how Specialized work, they only change every couple of years....... If you can get one, it's an awesome ride. I got the Ultegra a year ago and now wish I'd splurged more and gone Di2, so will keep riding and lust after the Di2 for 2022 when I can afford it again

But yep, as said above, 28mm tyres, hydro discs and thru axles makes a huge difference to all day rides and it feels like I've been missing out on something for a long time !

When I said the new model I meant the 2021 year model, not a new Roubaix.

Specialized are about to release an all new Tarmac SL7 this month. Agree a new Roubaix will be another year.

But the 2020 models will go on sale when the 2021 models are announced. Plus you get people on a bike a few years old upgrading so more on eBay.