In 2017, Specialized completely redesigned the Roubaix range, out with the Zertz inserts and in with the a suspension damper located in the head tube, "Future Shock". Future shock absorbs the bumps and cobbles allowing for a smoother ride with up to 20mm of travel that can be adjusted to suit different riders weights. Future Shock continues to redefine the genre of endurance road bikes, and push the boundaries of what riders can achieve.
The Roubaix has an enviable reputation as a performance endurance machine, as you may well expect with a name borrowed from one of the toughest races on the pro calendar. Used by professionals like Tom Boonen to nullify the impact of cobbled roads and ensure comfort over long races, the Roubaix range is equally well equipped to tackle questionable British road surfaces and would be the ideal partner for a long sportive season.
Discipline: Road
Usage: Sportive and Endurance
- + Disc Brakes
- + Future Shock Headtube
- + Rider-First Engineered Design
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Frame and Forks
The 2017 Roubaix frame was amongst the lightest that Specialized have ever made, whether that be the FACT 10r carbon fibre of the Elite, Comp and Expert models to the top-level FACT 11r carbon of the S-Works bike, and it's the same story for 2018. That technology has also trickled down in the FACT 9r carbon frame, which you'll find the entry level Roubaix and Sport models. Now prevalent across Specialized's road range, Rider-First Engineered design is employed to ensure every bike handles exactly as it should - no matter what the frame size.
Other Stand-out Features
As was the case for the 2017 range, the stand out feature on the Roubaix is the Future Shock headtube design. Essentially, this is an independent piston in the headtube that provides 20mm of travel - just enough to maintain speed and comfort on rough terrain. According to Specialized, it outperforms anything on the current market - and after a quick ride, it's easy to understand that claim.
The ride position favours the endurance rider but for 2018, the Roubaix range is slightly more aggressive than the 2017 range with a 7mm lower stack. You can still replicate the 2017, more upright position if this is more to your riding style.
Specialized have favoured the Japanese brand Shimano for their 2018 Roubaix range; starting off with the 105 groupset for the base model, going all the way up to Dura-Ace Di2 at the top end. The Roubaix model comes with 20 gears whilst all other models feature 22, both perfect for tackling those tough climbs on even tougher terrains!