Test: The Specialized Roubaix has lived up to its name over the years. With various victories in the hell of the north, it is one of the most successful bikes on the pavement. But the Roubaix is not only ideal for racing drivers, it can also play to its strengths for everyone on long tours. We tested the Comp version of the new Specialized Roubaix for you.
Specialized Roubaix - Smoother is Faster
At Specialized, the motto "smoother is faster" has been on the road and off-road for some time. It's only logical that a bike like the Roubaix, which is supposed to be used for particularly long rides on hard ground, is constantly being improved according to this motto. For this purpose, a spring cartridge, called Future Shock, was inserted in the steerer tube of the new Specialized Roubaix models in order to significantly improve the suspension comfort at the front. The system was developed in cooperation with the McLaren Formula 1 team. The struts were also designed at the rear to provide significantly more comfort. However, so much technology is reflected in the weight, which should be manageable for a long-distance touring bike. Incidentally, Specialized also offers a version for women called Ruby, which is constructed with an individually tailored carbon fiber configuration.
Specialized Roubaix Equipment
What would a great frame be without the right equipment that is optimally tailored to the area of use of the bike. Here, too, Specialized pays attention to the details and makes no compromises. Our Comp model came with everyday Shimano Ultegra gears and hydraulic discs. The DT wheels are robust and have 26 Turbo Pro tires from our own company. The special carbon seat post with its deep fixation in the oval-shaped seat tube is intended to additionally soften the unevenness of the road. The other add-on parts such as handlebars, stem and saddle also come directly from Specialized and did not show any defects, but there is certainly potential for fine tuning here. With 50/34 at the front and 32-11 at the rear, the gear ratio once again underlines the possible uses of the Specialized Roubaix, as does the breakdown assistance box. This is mounted at the bottom of the frame triangle and contains a spare tube, gas cartridge, mini tool and tire lever.
Specialized Roubaix – How does it really ride?
You have to say that the Specialized Roubaix feels quite unfamiliar for the first few meters. Especially on the road, as a racing driver, you notice that a little propulsion is lost due to the extra comfort. But if you then get on poorer roads and uneven ground, the Roubaix shows what it can do. The suspension and the rear end complement each other perfectly and dampen like no other bike. It almost feels a bit like locking the fork with the lockout on an MTB and giving it a little. Despite 7 bar in the 26 millimeter wide tires, the bike rolls over gravel paths as if it were nothing. Smaller holes don't get in your arms at all, larger ones are noticeably filtered just like cobblestones. The position is also quite relaxed and should give a lot of pleasure to frequent drivers. The shifting works on and off the road without any problems and the strong, easily adjustable brakes are ideal for exploratory trips with the Roubaix. The wide chainstay was a bit annoying, as larger feet can easily get caught on it. All in all, the Specialized appears compact, agile and nimble. What particularly surprised us or rather convinced us on long journeys, even without going off the asphalt roads, was that hands, arms and feet were noticeably less strained.
