2020 Specialized S-Works Roubaix | First ride and review

We got to test the all-new 2019 Specialized S-Works Roubaix out on the roads that it's named after. Does the all-new bike live up to its namesake? Is it a bike that offers more than the previous version, and is it suitable for roads that aren't quite as savage as those found in northern France?
Check out the full article and podcast here:

[@harrylook7810]

I'm totally obsessed with this bike!

[@ecycled3d]

Well done review and I’m not really a die-hard Specialized sort of guy. Really enjoyed the loose/informal yet informing format.

[@aforanti]

Good job guys, watched bike radar before this and you just showed how it should be done. Awesome . Just subscribed.

[@SilatShooter]

I rode the first Future Shock Roubaix and it definitely helped, especially on longer rides. I knew Specialized would eventually do this, so I'm not surprised. I'm all for suspension in road bikes, my argument to my fellow riders is if sport motorcycles have suspension why not on one where you're the engine and at some point fatigue sets in, and the suspension will help stay faster longer.

[@davidaguilar5399]

I have just bought a second hand 2020 Roubaix and It is incredible how it works. It is worthy every penny that it costs. It is so fast, light comfortable and beautiful..

[@DarthJabba504]

Why weren't people criticizing the previous version when it was released? It was "perfect" and we only hear about flaws when a bike gets replaced, which is too late!

[@harryhenry3053]

because these videos are sponsored.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

This video isn't sponsored, and we certainly criticized the lack of damping on Future Shock 1.0.

[@digbysirchickentf2315]

@@VeloVeloVeloTV This bike has suspension for your arms, which means it wants to throw you over the bars if you put all your weight over the bars, maybe in an emergency stop for example. What you want is front wheel suspension. This bike is cynical and dangerous and stupid.

[@Timtimzi]

seems like all the news outlets are badmouthing the previous version of the bike. it's hilarious.

[@harryhenry3053]

CyclingTips if the company hadn’t provided you the bike to make this video, then you wouldn’t have been able to make this video. To maintain good relations and to continue getting support from big bike companies of course you will not be slating the bike. Yes, they didn’t pay you to make this video, but it’s misleading to say it’s not sponsored.

[@jaypee799]

I’m loving these CT videos. It’s great to put some faces to the voices behind the podcasts. I’ve got a few Tarmacs, and now a Venge, which I love. I’m no big S fan boy but I think they get it right better than most others. My question for Dave, Caley or James is this: if I don’t live nearly cobbles or pave but I like riding in places where the roads are moderately rough (not hot mix) would this bike be much different to riding my Tarmac with 28mm rubber at ~70 PSI? I’m trying to convince myself that I ‘need’ this. Thanks again for the video. The production quality is great.

[@dom7215]

Design is cool ! And the bottles are cool too !

[@dan.p.8060]

I may or may not have drooled quite a bit while looking at the bike...

[@khanakhbar6311]

Good job Guys...awesome...review

[@samuelernst1786]

cool guys! I just bought my Roubaix! And I'm so happy!

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

It's a fun bike for sure. Enjoy - Dave

[@nonchalantgarage]

Roubaix was ahead of its time

[@noahsanchez9236]

I commute with my roubaix and I couldn’t love it more. I do love the direction they are taking the roubaix though, more road bike vs more all-terrain.

[@treygray2817]

Yup! Unlike Trek which is turning their competitor to the Roubaix into a gravel bike. The Roubaix is supposed to be a comfort-oriented road bike, not an adventure bike.

[@arich9124]

Beautiful bike

[@lelca]

Exciting bike, happy to see the stat boosts in every category. The only thing that rubs me wrong about it is the way the seat tube looks above the seatstay junction. Wish they could've transitioned the profile of that flex zone more gradually into the rest of the ST- as it is, it looks vestigial.

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

Agree, that bits not the best looking.

[@GeekonaBike]

A headset is a pretty big deal on any bike frame. Maybe it doesn't get as much attention as the BB, but that's because they normally Just Work.

[@msives]

so much better than the corporate reviews from bike radar, gcn etc

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

Thanks. We will keep them coming.

[@DiegoRevs]

@@DavidEverettshoddycycling Please do!!

[@UnrequitedLove23]

Subbed! Great video.

[@DCRUZ547]

It looks better than the last one.

[@mlee6136]

Cannondale came out with the head shock over 15yrs ago, it was better executed as well (location and dampener). The shock would be more effective if located between headtube and fork.

[@superlauhea]

Great Video review. If you could when your doing the podcast for the Roubaix. Please discuss about when they spec clx32 vs clx50. How much aero disadvantages clx32 carry against the Clx50. Thank you. Cheers

[@carlobalzer3238]

Great bike

[@pedroandrade2398]

there's some typos on the video title. see if you can find them: "2019 Specilaized S-Works Roubiax | First ride and review" ;)

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Well spotted. Cheers

[@cup_and_cone]

Specialized should offer a discount trade-in program for people who bought into the old Future Shock.

[@felipecorona5905]

Yes man, i just bought a 2019 roubaix 2 months ago

[@cup_and_cone]

@@felipecorona5905 I feel you. The pitfalls of being an early adopter to new technology... I've got three sets of disc wheels that are basically useless with new frames. One pair is full front and rear QR, another pair is 15mm front/QR rear, and then the third pair is Specialized's 135mm rear with funky offset spacing. Most new thru axle frames today are 12x100/142.

[@therealpinkyskull]

I have a 2018 Roubaix comp with a couple of upgrades and love it, I use the hardest spring and it’s great! I barely notice the bounce. These guys have their opinions but I have mine as an owner of one. Lol they need to sell bikes man so there will always be something new just like Apple products! I have a few bikes and I find myself on the Roubaix more than the others, it actually saved me from crashing once! I didn’t notice a HUGE pothole in traffic and SLAM but the roubaix somehow kept me upright(:

[@katomiler843]

“Never borrow money to buy something that’s going to depreciate in value.” Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

[@SimenBru]

Do you think we will have integrated stem/headset in the next model?

[@timothymilner1882]

what were the components on the black bike in the video? Did they follow 2020 Roubaix s-works?

[@markrushton1516]

Is that not a revamp of the Cannondale Headshock or the Domane system?

[@richfi9576]

another specialist (no pun) bike to add to the N+1 stable: the single-purpose pavé bike?

[@mramazingtroy]

Are the one bike that fits all have the same contact points? Any other details like clearance and exactly how the seatpoat differs etc??

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

No, any dealer should be able to swap out saddles, cranks, bars and such.

[@garybird8646]

I was hoping the new Trek Domane (coming this Year) would be semi aero, it makes a lot of sense for endurance road.

[@Tomcycling1986]

Show!!!

[@simonassouline45]

Beautiful Bike! The Tarmac is best road bike by far!

[@user-jj4oy3wo5b]

i heard that Roubaix was lighter than venge but heavier tarmac. i want to know the weight of the Roubaix not the frame weight but the full bike weight.

[@DCRUZ547]

Maybe a Brain from the Epic may come to play in a later model..

[@jaimeisreal]

This bike is literally $15,500.oo (CAD) at my local bike shop. HAHAHAHAHA! Time to start saving up.....for YEARS! :( Sick bike though. I bet it's SUPER aero in wind tunnel tests. :D

[@treygray2817]

It's absurd. $15.5k for a bike that won't make you any faster over a 3K one.

[@derekbrooke3721]

Why can't the production bikes have the same frame graphics

[@Thebart844]

@CyclingTips What size of Pro version do You ride and what height You are? I’m 177 cm height and have to choose between size 53 and 57. What do You recomend?

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

That would be the same as me, I'm 178cm and Specialized had me on a 53cm pro version- Dave

[@Thebart844]

CyclingTips thank You for reply. What size of stem ?

[@samuelbaker4759]

I’m confused, is this bike more of an endurance bike, or a race bike?

[@peterthurling2276]

So are we going to get a wet Roubaix this year?

[@doswheelsbetter8292]

Haha. Just cheaper second hand rim brake bikes for me! Thanks Specialized!

[@grantlivingstone6366]

the title of this is 2020 but the bike in the video is the 2019?

[@gaz6264]

Were are the water bottles from

[@Norman92151]

Looks like it's using a BSA threaded BB. Finally going back to a bullet proof system IMO.

[@tbrowniscool]

I went into my Specialized shop with my 2018 Roubaix Elite thinking I had a press fit BB, turns out it was threaded!! WOOHOO

[@dryphos]

You didn't touch on the Roubaix's off-road capabilities, if there are any. What is the tire clearance, can you put 650b on there, did they get rid of the SWAT box? Why no more cobble gobbler seat post, ist there any new technology to replace that, or is Specialized conceding that it was unnecessary?

[@joerickard7636]

They cover this stuff on their podcast this week, worth checking out.

[@chizhang001001]

max tire clearance is 33mm for offroad stick to diverge

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

Yep,we decided to put a the super tech stuff in the podcast. The diverge is Specialized's more gravel orientated bike. This new Roubaix certainly leans more to the road than the old one. They've definately aimed to make the two bikes not overlap too much in what they are designed for.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

650b? It's not a gravel/adventure bike. That's like asking if there are fender and rack mounts. Of course you can put 650b wheels on any disk frame, except one would have to be mindful of tire width and then bb drop and handling would also suffer. It's just not designed for that in mind.

[@neilhelks3781]

@@SurpriseMeJT funny you should mention fender mounts , the current Roubaix had no way of fitting decent mudguards which was a bad omission in what could make a good winter bike otherwise .

[@chrisblanchard4938]

Isn't this the 2020 Roubaix not the 2019?

[@cheech98]

Other cycling channels have the 2020 Roubaix. Is the title correct?

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

They can call it what they want, but any bike that goes on sale in April 2019 is a 2019 in our eyes.

[@samuelburrell5344]

What make is the Wahoo mount on this?

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

It's actually integrated in to the Specialized stem.

[@amrjon]

I hope it rides well because it ain’t pretty. Seat clamp area especially looks very awkward.

[@BGdubs92b17]

Paint job isn’t helping either....that weird camo print looks like the disguise that new cars use. Hides what ever lines this bike has.

[@treygray2817]

Yea it's a hideous bike. Tarmacs are beautiful though! That said I'd prefer the Roubaix in spite of its aesthetic shortcomings.

[@lukebelderes6563]

Does this mean I can buy a used tarmac for cheap now that the new roubaix is so damn fancy.

[@hugoyoung4890]

Maybe, but only until the S-Works tarmac sl7 comes out.

[@geraldfjenkins4726]

New Roubaix is better than old! What do I do with my old one?

[@pahouseholder]

eBay

[@Beinhartwie1chopper]

@@durianriders harley! Good to see you! You got me riding

[@CreamyBone]

Febuwarey ;)

[@ariffau]

No more SWAT Box?

[@pahouseholder]

That. Was. UGLY.

[@iansellers1251]

What's that jacket you wearing when in the cafe Dave?

[@iansellers1251]

Don't need to know about the hat !😉

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

Karpos. It's a mountain brand made by the good folk at Sportful.

[@iansellers1251]

Perfick ta !

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

@@iansellers1251 they ain't cheap though. But it's sure the nicest jacket I've ever had for kicking about in

[@trick700]

Are all bikes now coming out of the same mould? They’re all looking the same

[@jackhammer40k_]

Aerodynamism puts the same constraints on all bikes no matter the brand

[@szczepankonieczny1666]

This is not only aerodynamics, but UCI rules which stops evolution of much more aerodynamic bikes and that is why on the streets you see people trying to make strange looking colour paints to distinguish his bike from other ones looking the same ;)

[@strengthbeforepride]

Dog doing a piss at 1:03

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

I was waiting for someone to pick that up. You're a winner.

One thing is sure : my damper is very firm while watching this

[@justthepip]

Casual retriever taking a piss at 1:03 :D

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

I included that shot for the eagled eyed.

[@tjohnson200]

Damper is proper

[@alicangul2603]

Holy shit a bike with a suspension? Unheard of!

[@AlexLopez-kv5kv]

How tall is the reviewer?

[@eduardochozas7411]

Mimic saddle?!? Curious choice.

[@hugoyoung4890]

Ikr, isn't it for women?

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

Yeah, I picked it by accident when. Rushing the set up. But apparently plenty of blokes seem to like it. Can't say I had any problems with it,seemed to do the job of keeping me comftable.

[@lorenzorella4214]

The CG-R seatpost will be missed

[@pahouseholder]

eBay

[@fk8002]

Winner will be Pinarelo dogma FS electonic suspension .

[@felixdieu]

You can see the fear in their eyes!

[@media1981]

Can't believe they decided to remove the SWAT box! Now they will charge SWAT box separately after paying all that money..

[@Timtimzi]

the roubaix is getting the VIAS treatment . seems like all the news outlets are badmouthing the previous version of the bike. it's hilarious.

[@chizhang001001]

this is why i would not buy proprietary components, good luck finding parts for futureshock V1 few years down the road. My Roubaix Sl3 has super rare 1 3/8'' headset bearing, impossible to find

[@404nobrakes]

Chi Zhang Specialized does something similar for the allez sprint. Proprietary bearings and a different bearing size for each frame size. At $80 or so for a replacement bearing, it’s daylight robbery.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

There are so many other reasons why one might want to spend their money on a company other than Specialized (their lawsuits), but thanks for letting everyone know again how absurd they are. Personally, 1 1/8" straight (steel) head tubes are just fine for me.

[@szczepankonieczny1666]

What can we see there are two wires in front which looks very beastly in modern bike design. Additionally those two huge bidons ruins marginal aerodynamic gains of quite nice aero frame. Anyway those wisible wires are not acceptable in such expensive bike...

[@htdtr]

It's not an aero bike, and have you done any aero testing on the bike with bidons? Anyone racing it will be using bidons with it.

[@pahouseholder]

The previous incarnation was ugly. This one is almost pretty. And if it's more aero, well, everybody knows aero is everything. Right? ;-) #pavegobbler

[@gpeng05]

Jackie Stewart has nothing on this guy

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

Well unfortunately this new bike didn’t do anything to help Peter Sagan win P-R.

[@brendonmadden-smith]

winner was riding one

[@bamburo1]

Zaasca!

[@ahsafn]

Obessesed to late

[@davomccranko]

Less rambling would be helpful

[@roykapach]

Man, the autofocus on my old Sony RX100 is better than yours

[@arnoldv1540]

Are you drunk?

[@richfi9576]

thumbs-up as ever for Dave, but I don't like the bike

[@DavidEverettshoddycycling]

At least you like something, cheers. We've more vid from this week to come.

[@bigdundee12345]

Slow shifters, heavy scrubbing disc brakes, over priced, ugly, nooooo thanks. Not even a pro would “want” this bike

[@brendonmadden-smith]

yeah, Gilbert hates his one

[@elmar4493]

@@brendonmadden-smith You mean Philippe Gilbert, the winner of Paris-Roubaix, winning it on a Specialized S-Works Roubaix Team Edition 2020? Isn't that this exact bike? Hmm...

[@brendonmadden-smith]

@@elmar4493 so, I guess you missed the sarcasm then?

[@elmar4493]

@@brendonmadden-smith Nope, I actually took your sarcasm and built on it :-) Totally agree with you

[@_bryan46619]

Omg i hate the voice of the presenter...

[@wyattchoia2473]

Very transphobic... Specialized needs to recognise our unique differences. Can they make a bike for Trans athletes?

[@dave2402]

Is no one going to mention his ridiculous voice?!

[@pahouseholder]

Dude. That's Dave. #unique

[@404nobrakes]

I had to dislike this video. The first 3 minutes were incoherent and irrelevant. The rest of the video was excruciatingly sparse on information. I understand you were trying to have fun with this, but I simply could not stand to finish this video.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Thanks for the feedback. We've tried to mix things up a bit with this product launch, for the people that want a deep dive into the tech we have the Podcast which can be found here cyclingtips.com/2019/04/specialized-roubaix-2019-first-ride-review/

[@404nobrakes]

CyclingTips I appreciate the response. I usually don’t watch your videos but I read pretty much every write-up you guys put out. I look forward to watching future videos.