Specialized Future Shock headset removal and adjustment on a Rubaix Ruby or Diverge Plus Weight

How to take apart and service the Specialized Ruby, Roubaix, and Diverge Future Shock. We also then discover what the future shock weights
Let me know what you think in the comments below
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[@littlefish4270]

Great video showing the mechanism in reasonable detail. A picture is worth a thousands words.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks!

[@jaspreetsidhu5708]

Hey James, do you think you could make video of the future shock 2.0 being serviced?

[@christopherbearg5286]

This is so helpful! Thanks!

[@1bojanbojan]

Excellent video thanks

[@phoenixbird7751]

Thanks a lot buddy, Good job!!

[@recordball]

Thank you man!!

[@amfromch]

very useful video, thx :-)

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Glad I could help

[@jontygers1]

Good video of the disassembly. Just want to mention the 2.5mm allen key is for the the locking bolt only. The headset bearing tension is set by loosing or tightening with a 2mm allen key through the locking bolt.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Good catch, thanks!

[@TFil1974]

Thank you for the useful video 👍

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Sure thing glad I could help!

[@perserventia]

Great Video. Last May (day before my first gravel race at age 58) i purchased a pre-owned Diverge 2017 I think just like the one in your demo. Can you do a tutorial in installing dropper post on the same bike?

[@Youmemba]

That future shock cartridge looks like good reinforcement for the steering tube

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Haha, I am sure it helps there too.

[@ImmanuelBloch]

Great video. Really enjoyed watching that. Any bigger differences to watch out for when servicing a new Future Shock 2.0 system? Would be very interested to see this also for the new models. Thanks!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Future shock 2.0 has a damper in it so it's a bit different for sure

[@beardsonbikes]

Hello, what is the best grease to use to regrease that top spring you took out?

[@hjulier]

Fair to say it's impossible to achieve proper fit through steerer tube length on a Futureshock bike, eh? And what are the heights of those caps? I'm interested in this but at 6'6", I have specific demands :) Thanks James!

[@patrickrenschler5972]

If I'm just swapping the headset cover for the smaller stack version, do I need to loosen the preload bolts? Or can I get away with just loosening the pinch bolt and performing the swap, and then not have to deal with the preload?

[@ztboonie1]

What's the torx bolt on the very bottom of the future shock do? I took mine apart and was messing with that bolt and it just seems to go back and forth with no changes I can see. However, now there's grease coming out of my fork/headset area so I need to take it apart and diagnose. Hoping to find some answers before I do it.

[@Detroit3Pistons]

What’s in the future shock under the spring in the cartridge area?

[@brian.louis107]

What is the "Preload"?

[@nowisthetime12]

sorry, I saw the "removal" part.....did I miss the "adjustment" part??

[@jjay718]

Can you put the progressive spring in the Ruby?

[@markyfo3050]

Great video thanks. Any chance you could do a short 1 about how to reassemble the headset again? The only time I tried to do it the fork became really loose and was rattling. I had to take it to my bike shop to fix which was a bit of an inconvenience

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I'll put one together once I get the bike built up. Thanks for the idea.

[@ultratraileric]

Have you had a chance to put this video together? My headset is loose and need to tighten it on my diverge.

[@geoffr7675]

I was hoping to add some spacers to the headset/futureshock. In the owners manual it allows for a 15mm spacer around the underside of the future shock. Do you know if it’s possible to add a spacer around the adapter/collar at the top (where the adapter meets the stem)?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Just the underside of the futureshock

[@thewhitezulu3283]

Iv got the e5 comp an it’s shocking it’s falling apart had it a month it’s going back to tredz

[@zwiftfrance]

Do you know where I can find the springs ? They have not all been provided with the bike. Thanks for this video.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Your local bike shop should be able to get you them.

[@francescovirlinzi]

yaoescpagnol each bike should be sold with 3 spring

[@CAPRAQUEENRC]

If it takes standard bearings, would it be safe to say that a different or aftermarket fork can be installed to replace the factory fork ?

[@Nate_Jets]

i second this question, does anyone know? thanks!

[@TheFrodo96]

i'm waiting for an answer too

[@ando.niyuen]

What do you think about the longetivity of future shock when buying these bikes with FS long term? Bit worried if I need to replace the cartridge down the line it'll be an issue because it's proprietary.

[@toddb3846]

I have a 2017 Roubaix with the Future Shock. In just under 3 years, (approx 17-18k miles) the shock became gritty and felt loose. My shop said the needle bearings inside had deteriorated and they were unable to source a rebuild kit. A new shock was $220. With a headset overhaul, a new shock, a headset bearing and tax the repair came to $320.

[@bradsteinfeld7784]

Great video James , Thank you. I need a shorter stem (110 to 90mm) on my new 2017 S Works Roubaix and want to know if the stem shim that converts to 31.8 will then allow me to mount stems other than the Specialized assuming the stack height allows for the stem cap to fit back on properly ? Thanks again. Brad

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Should be no problem getting a standard stem installed. If the stem height is relatively similar to the factory one it will work fine.

[@shengjieqin2928]

Can I change the roubaix’s fork to other simple fork? Such as look 765’s carbonflex fork.Thank you!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't think so, though not really any reason to want to change it as this setup is MINT.

[@juliad4263]

Can you install a future shock on the Vado SL 4.0? The 5.0 has the future shock however priced in excess of >$1k. Not sure if that part is really worth the price.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No you can't upgrade to a future shock. With that said it is totally worth the upgrade

[@tofadeisastart]

Do you know what color spring the diverges comes with stock? Thanks!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Med spring

[@lazurm]

The cap on my Future Shock (Specialized Creo purchased recently) does not have any place for a tool to unscrew it. Additionally, that top cap is used to vary the amount of shock the FS gives. So...how can I remove it so that I can put a spacer in after replacing the original stem? Thanks in advance, hopefully. :)

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Congrats on the Creo! This video is about the original Future Shock. I'll do a video on the new one coming soon

[@Hintonbro.]

5 years later , fears of ‘future proprietary part unavailability’ are unfounded as the FS remains a staple in the Specialized lineup. Huge success for the company.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Haha. Can you get parts for THIS future shock? Well, no... So it's fair criticism. Sure they still make Future shocks but they are in their 3rd design iteration only 5 years later.

[@Hintonbro.]

Which parts can you not get for this Future Shock?

[@heldinson]

I bought an overstock of Diverge A1 2015 brand new , Can I install a future shock in it? If so, where can i buy future shock? Thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Unfortunately not

[@xxx261197xxx]

Just curious: Is it possible to remove the future shock and use the bike without it?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No

[@martinmcdaniel5173]

Can you use this on a old specialized allez 2011

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

no

[@marcozardinilacedelli8403]

Hi! Is it a carbon steerer tube or alloy?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Carbon

[@artgallery743]

The third video I've watched that doesn't explain what the shock action consists of, how it works, although the title of this doesn't claim this as the intention of this video. But it appears to me the absorption is of the riders weight on the handlebars when the frame is thrown upward and then after the wheel has started going downward after the bump, the spring tension is released allowing the bars to return to original position. If that's the case, it appears this is basically the same as shock absorption seat posts that were on hybrid bikes.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

The future shock is axial, not splay. Think to suspend the rider, not the bike. This solves the handling and momentum concerns of a road bike.

[@febreroseis]

Whats the diameter of the futureshock?

[@RavsiSingh1]

Hi, are the headset bearings standard size? Or are they custom and to only be ordered from Specialized? Thanks!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Not sure, it is the same bearing top and bottom thought.

[@RavsiSingh1]

Jamesthebikeguy Hi, thanks for the video. I took my headset apart (Spec. Roubaix Expert 2017 54cm) and the bearing size is 45.8/36.8/6.5 45 degree ECO. Not available anywhere apart from Spec themselves, it's totally custom which isn't great. My bottom bearing had seized but I've managed to salvage it and have now heavily greased with the intention of keeping any spray from riding in the wet out. Apparently marine grease is good to use. I find my Roubaix excellent and particularly like the BB60 bottom bracket. Everything is easy to service and the bike generally seems well thought out. P.s. Two month wait on replacement bearings from Specialized....! And around £50 a pair! :O

[@kevindrake980]

hi how did you know your bottom bearing seized what was different

[@RavsiSingh1]

Kevin Drake Kevin Drake Hi, it was really gritty when trying to rotate it (i.e. holding bearing in my fingers and moving it around. Actually, initially I couldn't rotate it between my fingers at all. After rotating it a bit it loosened up. Also, it was leaking some brown liquid which I assume is the inside of the bearing rusting. Apparently the bottom bearing generally wears out quicker as it's more exposed to water from the wheels, and takes more pressure from riding. I've read that some people swap the top and bottom bearings to help even out the wear. Hope that helps.

[@johnrobertson7583]

They probably just went up to PA the Cannondale plant and grabbed all the leftover Headshok parts..

[@sn4ns4]

I wonder if there’s a possibility to get this thing attached to diverge e5 elite? (Not comp)

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't think so. The fork and head tube are both different.

[@sn4ns4]

Yeah, I contacted specialized support and they told me that there was an error on the web page stating that elite can be equipped in future shock. Thanks for confirmation.

[@keyboardkevin5949]

Does the future shock wear out? Would it be annoying to sprint due to the constant movement?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I am sure over time it could wear out. Not really something you notice happening while riding.

[@robbiegreen769]

My FS has a problem, it bottoms out, meaning you ride over a bump and bang, the spring barely works, it's in the shop as I text so fingers crossed.

[@cup_and_cone]

My only real issue with this design is being a slave to Specialized bike shops for proprietary parts. That is one thing I hated about Cannondale forks, even though they performed great (when they worked). Or if they change the design slightly with different parts, or discontinue it, how many years will they still support it with parts? But I digress. I suppose 95% of original owners will only have the bike for just a few years, sell it, and move on.

[@markwells8798]

thechosendude, not really, it's so simple that it won't need much service attention compared to a suspension fork.

[@kamykyk]

What in case you "destroy" the fork?

[@escomeau]

@@kamykyk I broke the fork in a crash, it has been over a month trying to get a new fork, with no end in sight. Either going to try an aftermarket fork and ditch the FutureShock, or get a checkpoint frameset.

[@eugeneramos2979]

Hi! Is it possible to remove the future shock and not use it and install a standard headset and fork? Thanks.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Not really. The fork uses non-standard headset so I don't think there are parts compatible

[@eugeneramos2979]

What if you replace also the fork?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

That's what I am saying the fork is not standard, they don't make that steerer tube size, and they don't make headset parts to convert

[@eugeneramos2979]

I noticed that also that the steerer tube is oversized

[@steveedwards5280]

I ended up here as I really like the geometry of the Diverge but the proprietary parts put me off. Am I right in thinking that both bearings are the same size as typical bottom cup bearings? Also, I guess if you don't like the Future Shock, or when it packs up, you could have a sleeve made up that mimics the outer dimensions. Could even be threaded to take a One-Up EDC tool which is something you can't normally fit to a gravel bike with a carbon steerer.

[@Malemukgmail]

Is the future shock compatible with my crux 2018 model

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No

[@fuzzypic]

Is it possible to replace this old future shock with the new generation?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I am not sure.

[@pawe3155]

Hi! Do You know what kind of grease is in Future Shock?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

It's just a bearing grade waterproof grease. Something like Pedro's SynGrease

[@pawe3155]

@@Jamesthebikeguy OK., thanks!

[@iyonex8663]

is there a DIY edition of it out there or can i buy it without a specialized bike ? :D

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Lol, the Specialized bike is what makes this work.

[@davelovell8631]

You can get a redshift shockstop stem which has a pivot style shock instead of a telescopic shock and install it on most modern bikes. Roughly $150 rn

[@marcinw.1988]

Do you like the future shock? It's heavy and I do not know it's good enough.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I think it is absolutely worth the weight. Huge upgrade.

[@marcinw.1988]

Hey, thanks :)

[@RavsiSingh1]

I have the Roubaix and the FutureShock is amazing. It makes the ride so nice on horrible, rough, UK roads. My body has totally adjusted to it, I never feel it move even when sprinting out of the saddle. This is even when using the softest spring. My other bikes now feel like bone rattlers in comparison. The stock handlebar height is set high (30mm), I've removed the 15mm of spacers and moved to the 0mm headset cover which has dropped the height very nicely. Further drop can be made via a different stem or even removing the 20mm riser handlebar.

[@marcinw.1988]

Ravinder Singh Thank you :)

[@markwells8798]

Marcin W. heavy compared to what?

[@djeber3]

Could I buy a future shock and install it on my trek checkpoint?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No, unfortunately the. Checkpoint's frame and fork are not compatible

[@redfishm]

Can I install one on my sirus x 3.0?

[@glennoc8585]

I wonder if anyo e has fitteda standard fork conversion

[@yonglingng5640]

Future Shock delete mods exist, check out The Bike Sauce.

[@Bigsbeee]

How do you remove lower spring ?

[@Youmemba]

You can't specialized says its not serviceable

[@lyndondelacruz6914]

can you lock the future shock?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No

[@a5urbanipa1]

I still don't really understand what is the interface between the steerer and the future shock - does streerer hug the future shock? Does future shock expand (doesn't seem so)? Very questionable construction, what prevents future shock to come out of the steerer freely? Not mentioning the cuts in the steerer, and the direction hole, solid it looks not.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Future shock is held onto the steerer with the fork collar as shown. Think of it as a is similiar style of clamping as the seatpost into the seat tube

[@ericdixon2898]

Let's hope it don't come loose!!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

@@ericdixon2898 lol. It's just like clamping your stem... Nothing more concerning than a typical setup.

[@Davyscales]

Removal of the future shock is not quite correct, it has 3 Allen key sizes 2.0mm, 2.5mm and 4.0mm, to release the collar it's a 4.0mm to release the pre-tension it's a 2.0mm and to release the locking it's 2.5mm

[@user-jr9vu6gc4m]

Is it possible to block his work ??

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Block my work?

[@marcozardinilacedelli8403]

Unfortunately no, it is possible to change the spring for different stiffness grade but not to completely lock it out

[@elvisshyti918]

@@Jamesthebikeguy if you install in place of spring, an alluminium tube long the same distanze from base of spring to the top, then you have just eliminate the futur shock. Wright?

[@SurpriseMeJT]

Cannondale Silk Road was superior, though I'd never buy either.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Um no, headshock is different than this.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

Jamesthebikeguy not saying they are the same. I just believe that the silk road technology was superior in design than this one.

[@FightFilms]

Akshooly...

[@alanw.4511]

Suspension without dampening is primitive and so 1900s.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hardly

[@paul--b]

It really is, hence future shock 2.0

[@alanw.4511]

Jamesthebikeguy Good video by the way.

[@grantlivingstone6500]

Really wish you used manual focus. AF makes this video dizzy

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Manual focus sure would have made this even worse.

[@howardkenneth5569]

Am I the only one that is concerned about the design of the fork requiring 2 slots and a hold to be cut into the top of the steerer tube??? That doesn't seem like a good long term design. They are going to take one of the most critical junctions and compress 2 ends around a shock that is moving, while holding it in place with a screw through a hold in the steerer tube?!?!

[@akathesquid5794]

Seems like a huge amount of complexity just to spring a handlebar. You'd think with all those parts-weight-cost they could have actually provided some suspension. Where half of you you and your bike are actually suspended from the front wheel. All this does is suspend any of your weight on your hands, which, if you are riding correctly, shouldn't be much... Does spec have a kit to delete the shock (some kind of lightweight blank to replace all this mess?) I like these bikes just not this silliness.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

The future shock has been amazing in my experience. It clearly sounds like you have not had a chance to ride a bike with the future shock. Suspending the rider keeps the rider comfortable without compromising the dynamics of the frame/fork. A pretty smart way of doing it. They don't make a delete kit, as it would be crazy to delete the part of the bike that makes it ride so well.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

I bought the first one at the end of 2016 and have another bike without it. I have ridden thousands of miles on both and its a gimmick and a waste of time and not worth the 360 grammes IMO.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hmm interesting perspective.

[@user-jr9vu6gc4m]

)) no work Specialized Future Shock

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

...

[@rostialczr3194]

your finger bleeding

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Just looked down at my hand and it does not seem to be

[@johntrussell7228]

The auto-focus of your camera is so jacked up. Gives me a headache to watch.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Move along

[@johnrobertson7583]

Thats stupid. Its a method designed to suspend the rider just like the Girvin Flexstem , the Frankenstem, and several other moveable stems have done 20 years ago. Why did they disappear? The entire bike is still moving to absorb the bump...something motorcycle fork makers realized 85 years, which was transfered to pedal bikes manyu years later. Of COURSE youre still going to have loss of control as they say will be removed. The bikes mass must rise over the bump, and then theres the delay when the tire returns to contact the surface. Why do they make it look like the wheel will track along the ground? A bunch of dipsticks. Ebay is your friend....flexstem, frankenstem, "pivoting bicycle suspension stem"...have a nice day folks.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't think you get it. Maybe stop by your local dealer to ride the bike, because it is leaps and bounds better than the old flex stems.

[@markwells8798]

John Robertson, they disappeared because they were used for mountain bikes, they are perfect for this application.

[@Kupkaik]

I dont think you have literally any idea what you're talking about. The bike doesn't move. The frame is STILL rigid. There's no tire rebound, the fork is solid and doesnt move. The only part that's moving is the stem, which does NOT affect your power output. If it does, you need to get a bike fit.

[@siclmn]

Maybe one day you can redo this video and learn how to focus your camera. Otherwise it's a great video.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Maybe one day you can appreciate that someone produced an informational video at no cost to you.

[@ericdixon2898]

Good point James!! Thanks for the vid.