Specialized Roubaix Sport
Everything is pitched at a rider who wants to go fast but not at the expense of comfort
£2900 / IS THIS ROUBAIX A MID RANGE MAGIC CARPET?
The Sport is Specialized’s entrylevel Roubaix but in spite of the model’s endurance label this bike isn’t all about comfort – Specialized has made some strong claims about its aero credentials, suggesting this Roubaix has speedy ambitions too.
The Roubaix’s most obvious distinguishing feature is that its front end stands proudly taller than that of most endurance-oriented bikes, elevated by its Future Shock and Hover bar, with its 15mm rise. Future Shock is essentially a shock absorption system with 20mm of travel built into the fork’s steerer tube. This bike’s ‘1.5’ model has better top- and bottom-out feel, thanks to an improved damping unit and a progressive spring. In conjunction with the S-Works Pave seatpost – designed to flex more – the Future Shock and Hover bar vastly reduce buzz through the bar and seat over broken roads, cobbles and even gravel tracks. That’s a feat in itself, but the wheels and tyres endured some serious abuse yet stayed true and undamaged.
The relatively upright riding position lends itself to long, relaxed rides, but that’s not to say the Roubaix is slow. Quite the opposite; put the power down and you’ll forget it’s an endurance bike. Yes, it’s fantastically comfortable, but all of that happens between the bike and the rider, not between the bike and the road.
The bike feels like every bit the performance machine in all situations, with handling that’s lively without slipping into unpredictability. Seated sustained efforts or standing hill sprints are undertaken with methodical efficiency. Even all-out sprints don’t bring noticeable unwanted movement from the Future Shock system.
While we would’ve welcomed lighter wheels and Ultegra for the price, it’s difficult to fault the Roubaix. Every last thing is pitched at a rider who wants to go fast but not at the expense of comfort. With this bike, it’s not a binary choice; it’s fast because it’s comfortable.
THE VERDICT
Absolutely brilliant. Combines fun, comfort and speed