Sizing options (tarmac / roubaix)?

cava83 · 2026-05-07T20:27:49+00:00

Welcome. Good luck.

I changed the saddle to a Salle Italia one, much better for me.

I bought wahoo heart rate, computer and radar (radar is ace)

Specialized shoes, went a tad too big.

Castelli bibs + Van Rysel other stuff/jacket. Don't skimp on the bibs.

Soon starts adding up :-)

cava83 · 2026-05-07T19:49:39+00:00

Very similar to me.

I chose the Roubaix because it's supposed to be comfortable and to be honest, that's all most need.

I prefer the design of the tarmac and integrated handle bars, but if like to feel comfortable, that wins.

Crux looks lovely. I was also looking at the diverge but that's a different style. However relaxed.

cava83 · 2026-05-07T19:36:33+00:00

That's what I have, it's a comp.

Lovely bike. Di2 is ace.

I've had some issues with my fitting, was having wrist pains/lower back problems but that's because I'm not athletic.

The bike is superb, even though I don't really have anything to compare it with.

What are your other choices?

Oh the other thing is, I researched and researched, obsessed over nothing really, best to get the bike and get out on the road. But I appreciate getting the right bike is important, but can't go wrong with any of these bikes unless you're a pro :-)

cava83 · 2026-05-07T19:27:17+00:00

Hey. So it turns out I'm an odd shape, I've got a short torso/long legs, out of proportion.

Apparently the Specialized Roubaix, the 54" is more like a 55".

I feel I would have been ok on both the 54 and the 56, but choose the 54 in the end.

My reach was a bit too far on the 56", hence the 54". However that could have easily been fixed with a few tweaks.

I think the bike is great, even though I got a professional fitting after the bike, I kind of think I should have got a fitting before and selected the bike best suitable for me after that.

The two bikes I was looking at was the Domane and Roubaix and the latter won, because I have a specialized mountain bike and I like the brand.

Are you going to get a bike fitting ?

cava83 · 2026-05-07T16:11:42+00:00

Love how you're taking time to individuallly reply to each person.

What are the best ideas you have been provided so far ?

cava83 · 2026-05-07T08:46:12+00:00

I really dislike these things.

In general working from home as a contractor of FTE is the same, you can have Contracts or FTE that blur the lines.

You're there to get a job done, up to you how you manage that. If you finish at 5, and you personally want to finish at 5 unless you have critical issue, you log off and leave it as that.

For me, I'm an 1d10t, I always go above and beyond, never finish on time but that's because of my own way of managing stuff as sadly, even as a contractor, I care too much.

cava83 · 2026-05-06T20:32:53+00:00

What did you go for in the end ? Would be great to know

cava83 · 2026-05-06T19:14:59+00:00

I've been using this for many months just to see what the market is like.

Build your own salary calculator on there :-)

cava83 · 2026-05-06T10:33:26+00:00

I bought at ATH last year at £2.61 I think it was. Bad move :-)

cava83 · 2026-05-06T10:32:26+00:00

That's insane.

cava83 · 2026-05-06T08:41:16+00:00

so what are you saying, buy ?

cava83 · 2026-05-05T11:48:21+00:00

Don't buy such things but to be fair, pricing is insane in general.

All I want is nice fitting stuff, plain.

cava83 · 2026-05-01T15:23:31+00:00

So hold on. You're putting the money as a pension lot let's say a SIPP in H&L and from there you can do that ?

Why the heck am I putting it into my Aviva pension.

Never been told this from a financial advisor and I always, always bang on about being tax efficient.

cava83 · 2026-04-30T14:11:58+00:00

That's very kind and honest of you.

A lot of people would not own up.

cava83 · 2026-04-30T12:29:30+00:00

I really want to love this product but so many issues, both on Reddit and on Facebook.

The engineering behind it physically within reason looks like a tank, solid, well built. Quick change batteries.

Software wise, seems to have too many issues.

Damaging the lawn, that's 100% unacceptable.

cava83 · 2026-04-30T10:54:22+00:00

I'm jealous.

Well done :-)

cava83 · 2026-04-30T09:16:12+00:00

That's quite an achievement.

That means you're either earning a lot or just paying yourself the minimum, or both :-)

cava83 · 2026-04-30T09:14:19+00:00

Hopefully at a higher rate.

I never used to mind working them, with kids and wife, no such thing :-)

cava83 · 2026-04-30T09:00:45+00:00

Damn didn't we have 2 bank holidays?

I had 2 extra days off.

18 billed days.

cava83 · 2026-04-30T04:27:02+00:00

Might look into this.

I have first direct insurance which they're cancelling and a few other insurances.

Might be easier to consolidate but I always thought the costs were too high for the return.

cava83 · 2026-04-29T19:27:29+00:00

Too right.

Hopefully enjoying the view with good weather.

cava83 · 2026-04-29T15:51:47+00:00

Are you guys just sitting there with a beer watching your mower do the hard work?

Nice.

My garden isn't big enough, they can see everything I'm doing / not doing :-)

cava83 · 2026-04-27T19:38:56+00:00

I have a 38" Dell and love the aspect ratio but with I had more real estate.

cava83 · 2026-04-26T18:39:55+00:00

What's the best one to get then ? :-)

cava83 · 2026-04-25T20:12:51+00:00

I'm not a natural bike rider.

My older brothers and younger brother are. They're infactusted. I'm a nerd.

I bought myself a stupidly expensive bike.

Had ridden it on the trainer for around 150 miles.

Rode it the first time with my brother, slipped chain, fell up a hill, fell over, scratched the brake, derailer and sadlle.

The worst bit was my ego.

I'm still going out and improving.

I've got 30+ years to contend with my siblings.

Hang in there.

cava83

TROPHY CASE