Specialized Roubaix Expert

In September last year, Specialized invited Bicycling to visit its Stellenbosch HQ, as there was something we needed to see.


Oli Munnik |

In September last year, Specialized invited Bicycling to visit its Stellenbosch HQ, as there was something we needed to see. – By Oli Munnik

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Carefully hidden in a row of bikes was something we’d never seen before: a road bike with a shock in the steerer tube, a SWAT box above the BB, and a new seat-clamp design that’s never been seen on a Specialized. When we saw the word ‘Roubaix’ on the seat stay, we realised that what we had before us was the latest (and yet to be announced) iteration of one of the most efficient endurance platforms on the planet.

In years gone by, the Roubaix’s plushness was credited largely to the fork- and seat-stay-mounted Zertz inserts, which absorbed vibrations and road buzz. The latest version of the Roubaix forgoes the Zertz in favour of – at the front end – what Specialized are calling a ‘Future Shock’; while at the rear end, a newly-designed and -positioned seat clamp called the Drop Clamp adds 20 degrees of compliance.

The Future Shock, positioned above the head tube, is a lightweight suspension system that offers 20mm of travel, designed to reduce the harshness of rough tarmac by isolating you from the surface of the road. In essence the rider floats above the road, with the Future Shock oscillating according to changes in the road surface. The result is less rider fatigue and greater front-wheel traction.

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The Drop Clamp sees the seat-post clamp positioned lower down on the seat tube. Above the clamping brace the seat tube’s diameter increases, allowing for 20 degrees of added compliance – which, coupled with the CG-R seatpost (affectionately known as the ‘Cobble-Gobbler’), is a genuine energy-saver.

We were initially highly sceptical of the Future Shock – thinking it would simply bob up and down as we pedalled – but in practice, a short test ride through Stellenbosch and surrounds showed that the Roubaix was indeed a bump-busting machine. The shock’s position translates into there being no unnerving movement of the handlebars – it’s like magic.

The new Roubaix lives up to its promise: it’s an energy-saving experience that will make you faster. Just don’t ask us to adjust or tighten the headset!

Price: R87 499, specialized.com

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