2017 Specialized Roubaix

[SWSteve]

I thought I read it as every model, they have done it for a MTB too

At a presentation where that bike was on display I think he said it is due to the S-Works one with the Etixx rider on is slammed and all the others have all the spacers on and the suspension at its highest so a bit of optical illusion. They also said the stoarge box fits all Roubaix and Ruby's some come with it and some don't.

Still strikes me as solving a non existent problem can't remember ever wishing my handlebars bounced (absorb according to the big S). They never answered the question on their live Facebook about its serviceability. I know my Headsets get in a right state. The general marketing gist is that under the rider it is as stiff if not stiffer than the Tarmac and slammed and negative stem its the same Geometry.

Thought the BR Review was OTT making all your other bikes redundant. (hope that's not you @smutchin !!) - Weird he said on normal bike on a bumpy fast corner you back off but on this you don't feel it so push though made me think how much important feel its removing I saw that as negative where the BR bloke thought it was great. Half full half empty I suppose.

I think I would have been interested except for the suspension bars and the rubber boot on the steerer.

Can't believe no one else thinks a return to threaded BB is significant form one of the big 4 manufacturers

Fair play to Specialized pushing new stuff out, brave as I would have thought the Roubaix was the biggest selling road bike for them

Didn't notice th threaded Bb, now that is a great sign

 

[smutchin]

I thought I read it as every model, they have done it for a MTB too

I got sent a press pack with a load of images of different models and it only seemed to be on the Di2 models, hence my assumption. But it was an assumption rather than hard fact, so I could easily be mistaken.

It does seem an odd place to put a storage box though.

 

[Oldbloke]

Viewed them today. Test ride later this year when I've saved enough to get one...

 

[Mr Celine]

I love my Roubaix though aesthetically it's not exactly pretty. This new one is even uglier.

My prime reason for buying one was the high front end, which I need due to cervical spondylitis (and not being as young as I used to be.) I found the reach to be too long and had to fit a shorter stem.

The new model has a 30mm lower stack and 10mm longer reach. Sorry, I'm out.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I shall stick with what I got ta very much

Me too.

The Roubaix design peaked with the SL2 and everything since then has just been marketing hype.

 

[ianrauk]

Just got the latest Cycling Plus through the post today. Features the bike.

 

[Globalti]

The suspension stem will work in California where it's dry but will fail in Britain when water and grit get inside, no matter how good that rubber seal. Same for the seat tube, which will fill up with gritty water and the post will get stuck. Then we will be able to fill miles of web page space with discussions on what a crap system it is and why didn't they seal it better?

The review I've read in Cyclist has mentioned the odd sensation of floating on a suspension system while the pedals are still rattling over road bumps with the rest of the frame. But that won't be much different from the old Girvin Flexstems, which were much simpler and worked OK. Suspension seatposts OTOH didn't work because of water and grit penetration past the seals.

I'm on my third Roubaix and the SL4 is an amazingly smooth-riding bike, even more so with nice supple Veloflex Corsa tyres fitted. The Zerts inserts don't absorb shock as they are simply bolted into a well in the fork leg where they are supposed to act as vibration dampers but I doubt they actually do much; the smooth ride is thanks to the doglegs in the seat stays. I find that while the SL3 was dull and unrewarding to ride, the ride of the SL4 is a perfect combination of smooth and slightly springy, which I enjoy and wouldn't want to be isolated from. Even the SL4 isn't as fast as a stiff sports bike so I'm a bit dubious about this "smoother is faster" claim.

 

[David Fleming]

Might be a good time to buy an SL4 frame!

Anybody know a good place to find a 61cm S-Works frameset or full build? (Google isn't much help!)

 

[SWSteve]

Might be a good time to buy an SL4 frame!

Anybody know a good place to find a 61cm S-Works frameset or full build? (Google isn't much help!)

Your local specialised concept store

 

[jessand]

I think the suspension idea is good but the name 'Future Shock' is awful, they could have been more creative and called it something like 'Headshok' - what do you think?

 

[SWSteve]

I think the suspension idea is good but the name 'Future Shock' is awful, they could have been more creative and called it something like 'Headshok' - what do you think?

Suspenderstem

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Saw one in the flesh today, the suspension is rubber and looks like it would stress and split over time, but supposedly Specialized are confident it will be fine. I saw the cable disc version.

I was also told that the whichever model you get the frames are identical until you get up to SWorks. (previous ranges the carbon changes from FACT 8 to FACT 10 (I think.))

 

[samsbike]

I have a irrational thing against specialized bikes, but I must confess the roubaix has a lot of showroom appeal with the colours and frame tubes etc. It does look fast standing still, if that makes sense.

 

[dandello]

saw it today in the flesh had a little bounce on the front but not sure if i like it as much as i thought i would plus it seems to weigh alot more than mine whilst picking them both up together, i will wait for a test ride before i can go any further