Does anyone ride the Specialized Roubaix? I am interested in replacing my beloved old road bike and I am intrigued by this one.
I particularly like the look of this one with the disc brakes, DI2, and nice wheels. I appreciate any input for those who have ridden one or own one.
https://specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/roubaix-sl4-pro-disc-race-udi2/106552
Thanks, John
I’ve had a Roubaix since 2008 (and the manufacturer just replaced my frame with a 2016 frame under warranty). I’m very happy with it. For comparison, I also have a Tarmac road bike and a Felt B12 Tri bike. My Roubaix is my bike for long rides, centuries, and hilly rides (mine is a compact, like the specs on the link you provided). Because of the Roubaix’s more upright posture, I’m slower on it than my Tarmac, but the Roubaix feels noticeably smoother to me (which I appreciate). Take it for a spin and see if it fits what you’re looking for.
If the geometry fits you well its a nice bike. The geometry is too relaxed for me. I havent ridden the SL4, but when I test rode the SL3 it had a very comfortable ride. With the CG-R seatpost the SL4 should be even more comfortable when the road gets rough.
My dad owns a Roubaix SL3 and he loved it. The only reason he isnt riding it right now is he got a Specialized Diverge with disk brakes he likes better.
I’ve had a Roubaix since 2008 (and the manufacturer just replaced my frame with a 2016 frame under warranty). I’m very happy with it. For comparison, I also have a Tarmac road bike and a Felt B12 Tri bike. My Roubaix is my bike for long rides, centuries, and hilly rides (mine is a compact, like the specs on the link you provided). Because of the Roubaix’s more upright posture, I’m slower on it than my Tarmac, but the Roubaix feels noticeably smoother to me (which I appreciate). Take it for a spin and see if it fits what you’re looking for.
Thanks for the info. I will have to give it a test ride. My buddies are riding the Tarmac. I suspect any bike will feel better than my 2000 Trek 5200!
What are you riding now? I have been looking for one of the “versions” that Specialized makes for the spring classics, they are even rarer than the Cervelo R3 Mud. As said before the head tube is pretty high, I would say don’t just go off looks.
What are you riding now? I have been looking for one of the “versions” that Specialized makes for the spring classics, they are even rarer than the Cervelo R3 Mud. As said before the head tube is pretty high, I would say don’t just go off looks.
I will get a professional fit for sure. My tri-bike is a Felt DA and I do love that. The local bike shop doesn’t carry Felt but does carry Specialized, Ridley, Merckx.
My wish list includes: DI2 and Disc brakes & race wheels just because. But in truth I won’t race it, just fast rides with the bike club and a few tours.
Riding a Trek 5200 from 2000. I just love it.
geometrically, you are riding a roubaix, that is, a roubaix fits up under your handlebars without the spacers and upturned stem.
i’ve ridden the disc brake roubaix on a lot of different terrain. nice bike. i’ve got a few roubaixs on the property for folks to ride when they take F.I.S.T. workshops. nice bikes.
geometrically, you are riding a roubaix, that is, a roubaix fits up under your handlebars without the spacers and upturned stem.
i’ve ridden the disc brake roubaix on a lot of different terrain. nice bike. i’ve got a few roubaixs on the property for folks to ride when they take F.I.S.T. workshops. nice bikes.
Thanks Dan. The fitting will be the key. Pretty sure the LBS is F.I.S.T. certified. We will see if the bike fits.
I have no reason to like the disc brakes other than they look cool to me and one of my buddies swears by them for his Tarmac.
But 16 years is a long time between road bikes so I want to get all the goodies I can on this one!
John
This one is also tempting because of the Power Meter and DEEP wheels.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/specialized-edition-roubaix-sl4-disc-power/114069
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I have a Roubaix SL4 Expert with 5800 105 (warranty replacement frame for an SL2.) I consider the CG-R post mandatory because the rear triangle is too stiff with a standard seat post installed. I don’t really ride it much since getting a 2015 Cervelo S2. I like going fast so I just enjoy riding the S2 more. The stack difference is only 9-10mm between the two bikes so it’s not hard for to get the same fit on either bike. I personally feel like the Roubaix is getting long in the tooth for an update but if you test ride the bike and like it I say go for it. There are so many road bikes out there now offering disc brakes that you have plenty of options.
Thanks for the feedback!
One more thing, the CG-R post has 25mm of setback so just make sure that works your fit.
I ride an s-works sl4 roubaix and also have a Tarmac. I put about 4x more miles on the Roubaix each year compared to my tarmac. Definitely my go-to bike for long rides and it’s also become my choice for most road races, particularly when I know it will be bad roads and heavy chip seal. It allows you to motor over the big stuff, but it’s not a soft riding bike. My tarmac gets the edge for crit racing, but I’ve use the roubaix for that as well and it’s good. It’s a snappy performance bike, not a plush cruiser. I previously had an older roubaix expert and it was more like a couch with wheels, but not very snappy.
As others have mentioned, fit is a potential issue. I’m about 6’1" and ride a 56 roubaix with long, low stem and no spacers and I could stand to go a bit lower (i’m not that low). It you are looking for an aggressive position, it’s tough to get low on a roubaix (even if you size down).
I’ve got a 2013 Roubaix with Redshift moveable seatpost and quick-release aerobars (which are a fantastic product), quite happy with it. In my case, the tall head tube is helpful (pretty inflexible so my fit isn’t super low), though for me, the top tube/reach is actually a tad longer than ideal, which means I’m running a pretty short stem. The bike does a nice job damping chipseal roughness while still being stiff, but for better and for worse, handling is not as twitchy/sharp feeling as a racier model like the Madone or Tarmac. Ultimately it’s a matter of how well the fit can be dialed in for you and how much you like the somewhat more damped feel of riding the bike, pretty hard things to evaluate in the abstract on a forum like this.
I ride the SL4 expert with full ultegra 11sp. and love it. Smoothest riding bike I’ve ever owned. I really appreciate that as I move up in the age groups.
not replying to anyone in particular
i like the idea of having something a bit more vertically compliant that can take up to 28mm tires, but don’t need the tall head tube . Is anyone riding a sized down Roubaix with a longer stem? and if so, how does it handle? Going down a size would make the head tube of the Roubaix about the same as my Tarmac, which i currently ride with no spacers and a -17.
The steering will be a bit slower on the Roubaix due to the fork trail but I only notice it if I ride my Cervelo S2 for weeks and then jump onto the Roubaix. And it’s a subtle enough difference that you adapt pretty quickly and don’t even notice it. I do wish I could run a 28mm rear GP4000S II on the S2 but I fear rocks would scrap up the aero cutout. A 28mm rear tire will fit the Roubaix SL4 disc or rim brake.
They’re top notch bikes. Everyone calls them endurance bikes which makes people think they’re not race bikes but how many times has someone ridden a Specialized Roubaix to victory in Paris-Roubaix?