Luxury marathon bikes in comparison: Pinarello Dogma X vs. Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8

To put it in Pep Guardiola's words: the new marathon bikes from Pinarello and Specialized are "top, top, top". At least that's what the exclusive reputation of the Dogma X and S-Works Roubaix SL8 suggests. Both carry the respective luxury label of the industry giants in their model names. Both saw the light of day last autumn. And both are outrageously expensive. But do these exclusive long-distance travellers meet the highest demands? What about suspension comfort, seating position and additional benefits? Without giving too much away: Only one model deserves the guardiolesque adulation, which in the TOUR cosmos would be equivalent to an overall grade in the mid-range A range.

Marathon bike concepts

When two racing bikes together cost around 30,000 euros, it can make you dizzy and quite rightly so. Price tags of this dimension are no longer an exception for racing bikes. Unfortunately. However, they are almost exclusively associated with mature competition bikes that make no compromises when it comes to weight, aerodynamics and equipment. The two test candidates qualified for our duel with a similar approach. Both the Pinarello and the Specialized are bursting with engineering skill and interpret the marathon bike category in extremely different ways, which adds extra spice to the exclusive test of strength, regardless of price.

The different concepts of the marathon bikes catch the eye even before the duelists turn the cranks for the first time. The Dogma X openly flaunts its proximity to the almost eponymous race all-rounder of the traditional Italian brand by almost completely mirroring the aerodynamically optimised frame set of the Dogma F, including the fully integrated cockpit. Only the maximum tyre clearance of 35 millimetres and a suspension concept on the rear triangle reveal the new model as a marathon bike. The filigree seat stays are connected to the seat tube at two points, supporting each other with cross bracing and thus absorbing shocks.

In contrast, the S-Works Roubaix looks almost staid. The eighth generation of the US bike with clamped carbon handlebars and external brake lines is a seamless continuation of the previous version. A new expansion stage of the suspension system under the stem and space for 40-millimetre tyres underline the unique comfort concept that has made the Roubaix a pioneer in the endurance segment for more than two decades - and has finally arrived in the category of off-road all-road bikes in model year 2024.

A question of interpretation

In the saddle, both road bikes confirm their different orientation. As with the brand-internal duel of the Giant Propel Pinarello and Specialized had to prove themselves one after the other on an identical course. However, the high-end marathon bikes are so different in terms of their riding characteristics that the standardised circuit would not have been necessary to confirm the strengths and weaknesses from the measurements in the TOUR test laboratory. The Dogma X clearly has to give way to the S-Works Roubaix in the most important criterion of a marathon bike, ride comfort. The Specialized rolls extremely smoothly over rough tarmac, with both fine and rough impacts being smoothed out in an exemplary manner.

Different comfort elements

The decisive factor here is a series of comfort elements: At the rear, the extra-long extension of the deep-clamped carbon seat post is noticeable; with a test load of 80 kilograms, it yields around eleven millimetres. On the handlebars, the Future Shock system provides cushioning and absorbs the impact of cobblestones or road edges. On the new TOUR comfort test bench, we measured a maximum suspension travel of just under 15 millimetres with a test load of 40 kilograms on the handlebars. Thanks to numerous adjustment options, the top version called Future Shock 3.3 can be adapted to the terrain and rider weight: on the bike with a six-position dial on the stem, in the workshop with three springs of different hardness, which can be inserted into the hydraulic cylinder and additionally preloaded with washers. Sounds complicated? It is.

For our taste, the manufacturer's busy development department has overshot the mark here. Although the tuning potential of the Future Shock system is unrivalled, few hobby riders are likely to go to the trouble of adjusting the suspension to the terrain before every ride. Especially as the voluminous tubeless tyres, which arch 35 millimetres over the carbon rims, already offer excellent suspension on asphalt roads. In sprinting situations, we also missed a lockout function; however, the damping cannot be completely blocked on demand, even with the hardest spring and maximum preload.

Luxury marathon bikes in comparison: extreme differences in comfort

Compared to its Italian rival, however, the criticisms of the S-Works Roubaix are quickly put into perspective. On the one hand, the Pinarello isn't exactly easy to service either, as a collection of different Allen keys and Torx spanners are required for maintenance and adjustment. The adjustment screw of the integrated seatpost clamp is almost impossible to reach with an ordinary mini-tool, making it impossible to adjust the seat height during a ride. On the other hand, the Pinarello marks the sporty extreme in the marathon bike segment and is stingy with suspension comfort.

The high-quality tyres, which are exactly the nominal width, do a good job of cushioning and can compensate for the weaknesses of the suspension to some extent. On poor surfaces, however, the vibrations reach the saddle and cockpit relatively unfiltered. However, tyres up to 35 millimetres wide could mitigate this. On the one hand, the riding impression and lab results are only partially surprising, as the Dogma X has the same aerodynamically shaped seatpost and handlebar/stem unit as the competition-orientated Dogma F, which is designed to be more torsionally stiff.

On the other hand, the low frame comfort is unexpected given the distinctive rear triangle design. For a modern marathon bike, the carbon seat post flexes below average with a travel of just six millimetres. The focus on being a competitive endurance model continues seamlessly in the riding position. Although the head tube is slightly longer than on the closely related Dogma F, the rider is still placed in a sporty, stretched position. The extremely narrow cockpit is also reminiscent of an aero racing bike. According to the new measuring method, which takes into account parameters such as stem length and handlebar reach, which are shown in the STR+, our test rider has so far only sat on the S-Works Tarmac SL8 even more race-like. Despite the smaller frame size of the Dogma X, which actually favours a more moderate position.

Low weight

The S-Works Roubaix, on the other hand, emphasises its character as a specialist for long distances, distinguishes itself from the Pinarello with a back-friendly riding position and thus also draws a clear dividing line to the racing machine from Specialized. The biggest overlap is in the riding behaviour. Thanks to their long wheelbases, both candidates sit firmly on the road and prove to be smooth-running companions.

As both marathon bikes together with Canyons Endurace CFR and the Giant Defy Advanced SL are among the lightest marathon racers on the market, they also allow a sporty pace. The Specialized in particular impresses with its low frame weight, which is almost 250 grams less than the Pinarello despite the threaded eyelets for panniers and mudguards. This also compensates for the additional weight of the suspension system. In addition, the S-Works Roubaix is more stable and more responsive than the Dogma X. Especially at speeds above 60 km/h, which you can easily reach on fast descents, the Italo racer reveals a little less directional stability.

Class difference of the marathon bikes

Overall, the duel between the luxurious endurance bikes ends more clearly than the price tags would suggest. The new Specialized leaves the challenger from Italy behind in almost all disciplines and remains an extremely comfortable marathon bike that, in its eighth generation, has finally emancipated itself as a versatile all-road bike and even ventured into the territory of off-road gravel bikes.

In comparison, the Pinarello has a narrower range of use, although the Dogma X will also find fans with its sporty orientation and finely graduated range of sizes - an incredible eleven frame heights are available. If your wallet is big enough. After all, only very few racing cyclists are likely to be prepared to fork out 14,000 euros for the top version of the Specialized and 15,050 euros for the basic version (!) of the Pinarello. Especially as the competition has cheaper and technically equivalent alternatives in its range.

>> How TOUR tests road bikes: Our new test procedure explained

The two luxury marathon bikes with test grades in detail

Pinarello Dogma X

• Price: 15,050 Euro
• Weight: 7.4 kg
• Frame sizes: 43 / 46,5 / 50 / 51,5 / 53 / 54 / 55 / 56 / 57,5 / 59,5 / 62

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 521 / 550 / 156 millimetres
• Stack / Reach / STR: 581 / 385 millimetres / 1.51
• Stack+ / Reach+ / STR+: 634 / 570 millimetres / 1.11
• Wheelbase / caster: 1015 / 63 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive / gearstick (1.0): Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 50/34, 11-30 t.)
• Brakes (1.0): Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
• Tyres (1.0): Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR 32 mm (eff.: 32 mm)
• Impellers: Princeton Grit 4540
• Impeller weights: 1208/1582 g (front/rear)

TOUR grade: 2.4

Specialised S-Works Roubaix SL8

• Price: 14,000 euros
• Weight: 7.4 kg
• Frame sizes: 44 / 49 / 52 / 54 / 56 / 58

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 485 / 585 / 140 millimetres
• Stack / Reach / STR: 604 / 387 millimetres / 1.56
• Stack+ / Reach+ / STR+: 667 / 576 millimetres / 1.16
• Wheelbase / caster: 1010 / 56 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive / gearstick (1.0): SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-33 t.)
• Brakes (1.5): SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm)
• Tyres (1.0): Specialised S-Works Mondo 32 mm (eff.: 35 mm)
• Impellers: Roval Terra CLX
• Impeller weights: 1166 / 1491 g (front / rear)

TOUR grade: 1.7