The Specialized S-Works Roubaix is a cobble smasher and Paris-Roubaix 2019 winner - Full Review

[@HOBMACHINE]

another great video review which while technical, avoids being "techy", which can be a real turn off. Great stuff and thank you.

[@noels8817]

Very well presented review, David! Thank you, you helped me make a decision on the next steed that can pretty much do everything road.

[@MHDIMN]

7:50 that is my first time looking at the shock steerer in action. It looks really cool for a bike that fast and comfy. I don't know how other manufacturers are going to top this one! Great video too!

[@davidarthur]

Thanks I thought showing the Future Shock working would be useful and interesting to watch

[@davidarthur]

There are cheaper models available as I pointed out in the video. These top-end bikes are halo products, the best of the best, they don't expect to sell many. But there are people with deep pockets who can afford these bikes. Luckily they make cheaper models :)

[@Laringuette]

Just ordered my Expert 2022... Can't wait to get mine, one extra comment would be that Specialize is one of the rare that offers a 45cm endurance bike, for us small gals, the options are truly limited.

[@njm3211]

David, please increase your recording volume. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@davidarthur]

Will do! Thanks for the feedback, lots to learn with filming and audio and editing

[@huroncyclist]

@@davidarthur Same! I barely can hear anything despite my volume maxed out!

[@stuartdryer1352]

This is the one bike I would really like. Not the 9.5K version though!😱

[@0RANGOTANG]

I love these bikes, but I wish they made it so that the futureshock 2.0 was on the lower models as well since it seems like it's a huge improvement over the futureshock 1.5

[@CaptainShiny5000]

I'm not that interested in roadbikes but I am very interested in Gravelbikes and that new version of the future shock looks rather appealing! On the first version on the Diverge comp you had to take everything apart and change the spring to adjust the tension - far too much of a hassle imo. Also, I think they had a callback for some reason. This looks far more interesting with the adjustment knob on top. Might be the first thing that would give my Redshift steam a run for its money in terms of functionality. Hopefully it'll make it to future versions of their Diverge Comp.

[@CaptainShiny5000]

@@JogBird Welp, hopefully it'll trickle down sometime in the future. The old future shock isn't something I'd want on my Gravelbike. I'd prefer the Redshift stem to that by a country mile.

[@davidarthur]

Well almost, lower models use an updated 1.5 Future Shock which doesn’t have the adjustment dial

[@davidarthur]

I rode that Diverge and I loved the FS for smoothing rough gravel tracks, and reckon the newly improved version with the rebound damping will be awesome on the next Diverge which I hope they do

[@andrewkelk8414]

I think steel and titanium bikes are the most beautiful bikes, perhaps something to do with the era I grew up in, but this bike is far from ugly compared to many modern bikes.

[@thisandthatandotherthings]

One point you should have mentioned is that SRAM Red AXS Quark powermeters are part of the crank (unlike SRAM Force AXS) so once the crank wears out you need to buy a new powermeter model replacement. I agree with you that the best Roubaix 2020 is the Expert model with Future Shock 2.0 and Ultegra Di2. That said it is less appealing if you cannot get your colour choice in your country and I would want a 52/36 crank not the 50/34 the Expert is spec'd with. I am considering it along with the Canyon Endurace (its biggest disadvantage when comparing is pressfit bottom bracket) and the Trek Domane (its biggest disadvantage when comparing is weight). I may stay on the sideline for a year or two - expecting/hoping Endurace to go threaded BB and Shimano Ultegra to go 12 speed.

[@davidarthur]

Fair point on the cranks and power meter - I’d question how long it takes to wear chainrings out? That’s annoying about the crankset, a good bike shop should be able to swap it for you perhaps? Ultegra 12 will be some time off, got to see Dura-Ace 12 first and not sure if that’ll happen this year since all bike racing and Olympics are cancelled

[@thisandthatandotherthings]

@@davidarthur Supposedly it is engineered to be a long lasting part and apparently you are meant to get a discount on replacement but I still find it "off-putting" and another reason to go SRAM Force AXS over SRAM Red AXS than just saving money. I expect Ultegra 12 speed to be a year after Dura-Ace 12 speed as well (agreeing with your February article on the topic). Once Dura-Ace 12 speed comes out though we will know wheel/hub compatibility - conceivably I could do a wheel upgrade this year and carry those wheels over to a frame up build in a subsequent year which would also give me my choice of crank etc.

[@davidarthur]

I’d imagine Shimano will use their microspline if they want to follow SRAM and use a 10t sprocket, but can equally see them sticking with a 11t. Hear you on the long term durability of the crankset - I guess at those top-end levels where you might expect the very best a trade off is a compromise somewhere, and in this case it’s not being able to replace chainrings. That’s why Force exists for regular people who have to save up for new kit

[@jamesthompson3336]

David that's a good looking bike...

[@kennoon7177]

Another really good video,thanks

[@davidarthur]

Thanks!!

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Nice bike , I went with the Tarmac instead . Also didn't the winner last year who was riding a Rouaix , had tubeless tyres on his bike and the teams bikes ?

[@davidarthur]

Love the Tarmac! You're right, lots of the QuickStep team were using tubeless tyres last year, and I think Gilbert was but I would need to double check

[@youngerstrongerforlonger..2165]

Hi great review. As this bike is ‘more’ aero than the tarmac would you think that it could benefit even further to change the wheels to a deeper set such as DT Swiss Arc 62’s (which the previous version now is on sale) or the new CLX rapide’s....or would you remain with the CLX 50’s due to the versatile use and strength ? Which tyre size would you recommend ? 25/26mm or 28mm?

[@EmanuelFuchs]

32mm

[@cristiseven7]

hi! whats the garmin mount ? It has a garmin varia holder as well i see...cheers !

[@sansansanjaya5939]

where can I buy because in indonesia out of stock and they couldn't give solution to get it

[@WSTP3]

coming from the 2018 Di2 future shock model, the shock is unique but I took a hit when climbing hills and trying to power up it due to bounce & when trying to sprint. The newer model at least has the lock out twist but I'm not sure how realistic it will be for people unless they know the road conditions in front of them ahead of time. Great idea but I will pass on the future shock for the next bike purchase.

[@davidarthur]

I hear that from some people who have ridden the Future Shock, but personally on this latest edition I find it just fine in open mode all the time, even climbing out of the saddle and sprinting, I don't find it bobbing erratically at all. It's great that you can lock it out now though

[@timwalker3987]

Which would you choose if you could only have one and why - Roubaix or Diverge?

[@davidarthur]

If it’s the only bike I can own? Would have to be the Diverge then, with two sets of wheels for road and gravel riding, it would be perfect

[@timwalker3987]

david arthur I’m sold!

[@PeterSdrolias]

@@timwalker3987 I have the Diverge. It does everything well! Exceptional under any circumstance whether you are commuting, gravel riding or racing on tarmac. But, if you do decide to race it, may want to swap out the handle bars. Stock ones flare out which don't feel right for me when trying to go fast on pavement.

[@timetrialist]

"Trek Domane might be a good match" But the Roubaix won Paris Roubaix twice!

[@rafdegreve]

does this bike have the same geometry as the lower comp versions of the roubaix you know?

[@davidarthur]

Yes they all have the same geometry regardless of price

[@explorewithprabhakar1371]

do i use this bike as touring bike????

[@mattjordan9521]

Since this review you’ve ridden the domane. Which bike is faster?

[@davidarthur]

The Roubaix feels faster - but the spec was higher end on the bike I tested. The handling is a bit sportier one the Roubaix as well, it feels closer to the Tarmac in a way

[@mattjordan9521]

David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. Thanks! Found one exactly as you’ve reviewed used so I grabbed it. Way faster than my 2009 Roubaix Elite. Love it. Finish on the frame is a bit odd tho. Came with Blackwell tires. My wife said it looked like the dragon from “how to train your dragon”. Hence, we now call it toothless.

[@treygray2817]

@@mattjordan9521 How much faster? Have you timed them at equal watt output?

[@jelance8725]

I’m debating between this, the bianchi infinito CV, and the Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9.0. Can anyone help me choose please and thanks!

[@davidarthur]

The Roubaix will provide the smoothest ride if outright comfort is what you are after? The Endurace is a racy bike with more race bike style geometry than most endurance bikes. The Infinito CV is good but showing its age I fear

[@jelance8725]

David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes Thank you so much! I think I’ll go with the roubaix!

[@ridewithgae1467]

That's a very nice bike, I really would love to have one

[@aprendizdenadal7994]

What size do you use?

[@felipekim9488]

What computer mount are you using with this bike?

[@davidarthur]

It’s the one that came with the bike, fits to the stem faceplate and is compatible with Garmin and Wahoo computers

[@Sharpie37377]

It's a beautiful bike!

[@danzirulez]

Does this have Tubolito inner tubes?

[@jaycrume5941]

Looks like it from the stem color. I run them and love them on all 3 of my bikes.

[@andiego1]

Jay Crume what is the difference with Tubolito inner tubes? I’m debating going tubeless.

[@MozOnBikes]

I’m not sure how Specialized are measuring the aero on their new bikes, but I’d have some quite big doubts that the new Roubaix is more aero than the mk1 Venge. The new TT bike makes me feel the same, and I’m a big S fan currently owning 2! Maybe the are weighing yaw angles in a funny way in their aero mapping to fudge the figures, or maybe at a single point yaw it is and the marketeers have jumped on a semi truth.

[@davidarthur]

Well, they claim it’s more aero than the Tarmac which was equivalent to the original Venge in aero terms. It’s their claim though and I have no way of verifying it for myself

[@brandongojenola7455]

Or maybe Specialized knows how to make an aero road bike

[@bradsanders6954]

Overall,neat but clonky looking. For 9+K I dont think Id want second best SRAM....even if its only slightly second best.

[@davidarthur]

eh? It's SRAM Red, their top-end groupset

[@turbosalsa]

not worth £9000 thats decent car money 🤣

[@davidarthur]

Bikes more fun than cars through right?

[@jaycrume5941]

If it isn't worth it to you, buy a cheaper one. Problem solved!

[@ironray123]

Did he say he lives in the "cockswallows"? :)