The new Roubaix from Specialized takes its roots in the competition



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For the new Specialized Roubaix 2020 Series, he removed the bike from an endurance machine only and put it back in the limelight as a professional level special for clbadic pavers.

Roubaix has been in the Specialized range since 2004 and has won six victories in Paris-Roubaix the following years. Speciaized has begun to add compliance to its racing bikes with various experiments, including Zertz's elastomer-based inserts in the arms and forks, then the Roubaix equipped with Future Shock in its latest generation.

The latest generation of Roubaix was a very successful motorcycle, but it has always been considered a special sport, which is probably due in large part to the appearance of the unmounted front. The Future Shock is mounted inside the steering tube with many tubes on top, which gives the front a high appearance, even if on board, as with any suspension system, the 39; front end sank under the weight of the pilot and looked a lot like a "normal". & # 39; bicycle.

Warren tests the new Roubaixx on his local roads

It must have been frustrating for Specialized, because even though the bike had been proven in racing and sales, it was not taken as seriously as the Tarmac or Venge, but Roubaix was an extremely important lineup for the brand.

The flexibility and intelligent suspension of the Roubaix meant that the bike could easily get off the road. Thus, with the proven technology, Specialized has deployed the same technology (with an advanced spring) on ​​the Diverge, gravel trend. As a result, more people opted for the Diverge because it performed well on and off the road, so Specialized effectively cannibalized its own market.

Roubaix Racing

The new Roubaix looks much more aggressive than the previous model
The new Roubaix looks much more aggressive than the previous model

It now seems that Roubaix has returned to its roots. By simply looking at the bike, you can see a lot of design language identical to that of Tarmac and Venge.

Like both, the new Roubaix spent a lot of time in the Specialized Wind Tunnel. The result is a more aerodynamic bike than the Tarmac SL6, with tube shapes derived from the latest Venge. This new Roubaix is ​​as aerodynamic as the original Venge, which is quite impressive for a bike built for comfort and compliance, but also for anything else.

The Hoverbar of the previous generation is reported on the new Roubaix and is available in different heights.
The Hoverbar of the previous generation is reported on the new Roubaix and is available in different heights.

Compared to the previous version, Specialized says that the new Roubaix is ​​14 seconds faster on 40 km.

The S-Works frame is constructed from the highest quality Fact11r material Specialized and the carbon coating is designed to provide optimum rigidity where it is needed, through the bottom bracket and steering tube, and for reduce the weight.

The S-Works frame measures less than 900g and, like the previous Roubaix, was designed as a system to maintain the level of flexibility of this innovative bike while allowing increased control of compliance.

The seat post is fixed at 65 mm under the seat tube and top
The seat post is fixed at 65 mm under the seat tube and top

At the rear, Specialized has kept the simple but smart trick of lowering the seat clamp in the frame to provide a maximum of unsupported seat post – to allow you to flex at the front and back . The previous generation had achieved this by incorporating the seat flange into the saddle, but on the new model, the wide seat tube with aerodynamic profile lowers the 65 mm flange in the frame, which can be accessed via a long bolt placed under a rubber cover.

The seat post is new too. Finished the old Zigzag CGR post, replaced by a new S-Works D-shaped Paver post, which is standard across the range.

The D-shaped post comes from the asphalt design
The D-shaped post comes from the asphalt design

The pole is based on the same aerodynamic profile as the Tarmac, but the layout has been modified on the upper part under the saddle clamp to provide flexibility at the same level as the CGR, but in a much simpler form. The standard post has a shifted head, but Specialized tells us that there will also be an option at 0 degrees.

In terms of geometry, the Roubaix follows the lines of the tarmac and Venge, with the same parallel angles of 73.5 degrees on my 58 cm test bike. However, it differs somewhat elsewhere, with a higher battery (630 mm against 591 mm on the tarmac) and a shorter range of 10 mm (392 mm against 402 mm). The wheelbase is also slightly longer, thanks to Roubaix's larger 33c tire capacity, at 1,014 mm against 1,005 mm.

The new Pave seatpost offers a lot of front-to-back compliance
The new Pave seatpost offers a lot of front-to-back compliance

Future Shock 2.0

The biggest advance on the new bike is the redesign of Future Shock. The new Future Shock 2.0 incorporates the original spring-loaded system and adds both damping and significant adjustment.

Chris Yu, Specialized Applied Technology Manager, explains that version 2.0 follows the same principles as the original unit: "With the original Future Shock, we recognized the huge advantage of hanging the bike, not the bike. With the traditional location of the suspension units located somewhere in the frame (between the fork and the steering tube being the most common), we have found several significant disadvantages, especially for a roadside platform.

The new Future Shock 2.0 now adds an oil circuit to control compression, rebound and damping
The new Future Shock 2.0 now adds an oil circuit to control compression, rebound and damping

"These disadvantages include a loss of pedaling efficiency due to abrupt forward movements as well as a compromise in terms of handling because there is a non-rigid load path between the front and rear wheels, which often leads to to a feeling of blur in the bends. We realized that placing the compliance unit above the steering tube has all the benefits of increased compliance while avoiding all the inconveniences.

"The beauty of the system lies in the ability to separate the tasks of introducing task compliance from a frame and fork ready for racing, by maintaining a rigid structure."

The new unit offers a 20mm movement and inside the new system is an oil port supposed to simultaneously control the compression and rebound damping so that the front end is more controlled and more progressive.

This on-the-fly adjuster is at the top of the new Future Shock 2.0
This on-the-fly adjuster is at the top of the new Future Shock 2.0

It's a single-circuit system that works the same way as a mountain bike fork. The biggest difference from the original unit however lies in the fact that the Future Shock 2.0, badociated with the Future Stem dedicated on top models, avoids the traditional cap to the benefit of an adjuster – reminiscent of the old Cannondale Headshok system, although this one positions the suspension unit under the steering tube. So you can now set the vanguard on the fly, from near-lock to fully open.

Specialized indicates that the new unit is usable in-store as the original Future Shock, but that the lower models will get a reduced version of Future Shock 1.5, which does not have the option of setting version 2.0.

Bikes equipped with Di2 integrate the Di2 controller into the downpipe
Bikes equipped with Di2 integrate the Di2 controller into the downpipe

Specialized tells us that the new unit has improved bottom-up behavior and a more progressive spring lighter than the one found on the Diverge. Like the original Future Shock, you can adjust the shock using different spring weights. On the outside, it uses the same slipper smooth and smooth as the 2.0. However, you can not upgrade from version 1.5 to version 2.0.

The new Future rod is in the range from the Comp level, it is a little cleaner and does not need a hold like the old one. It is also a bit lighter and comes with the same faceplate as the Venge. It is therefore compatible with the same range of accessories, such as integrated GPS mounting brackets.

Weight issues

New S-Works frame tipped under 900g
New S-Works frame tipped under 900g

In terms of weight, the Roubaix S-Works perfectly meets what I expected for my 58 cm test bike: a SRAM eTap AXS Disc with wattmeter, 105 Shimano pedals, two door -bottons, a Garmin Edge 1030 and a support before the balance hits 8kg.

Remove these accessories and the gross weight would be around less than 7.5 kg. This is great for a bike equipped with a suspension unit in the front. The lower models using Fact10r carbon and the 1.5 damping unit are badumed to weigh 115 g more, or 1015 g for a 56 cm frame.

Specialized also supplies its Roval carbon wheels and Hell of the North Turbo tires with cotton cover.
Specialized also supplies its Roval carbon wheels and Hell of the North Turbo tires with cotton cover.

Specialized becomes neutral

The other big news with Roubaix, and to be honest, we have been waiting for since the launch of the Tarmac and Venge is that it marks the end of the women's specific bikes for the brand.

This means that there is more Ruby, which is bold because the Ruby is the best-selling women's bike of all brands. Specialized claims, however, to have carried out its research with specialists in the Retül equipment. Based on more than 7,700 workout sessions and over 25,000 one-way match sessions, they found no noticeable difference between how a man and a woman fit on A bike. They therefore see no benefit in terms of the performance of the design of a bike by genre.

The Body Geometry Power saddle is delivered as standard
The Body Geometry Power saddle is delivered as standard

The Roubaix is ​​a totally neutral bike. It is equipped with the revolutionary and always popular Power saddle, originally designed for women but which has attracted the interest of male and female runners.

The move to a gender-neutral design means that a wide range of sizes is available for the new Roubaix, ranging from a small 44 cm to a whopping 61 cm.

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