Shortly after the presentation of the new competition bike Tarmac Specialized is following up with a new marathon bike and designing the Roubaix SL8 as a versatile all-road bike. By definition, the new model is designed to take all roads under its tyres and combine the advantages of a long-distance marathon bike and an all-terrain gravel bike. This approach is not new. Many other manufacturers already offer comparable concepts, as our test of all-road bikes in TOUR 10/2023 shows. Nevertheless, the Californians promise a "heavenly riding experience" for their interpretation of a modern marathon bike.
Roubaix SL8: The most important facts at a glance
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.3 to 9.5 kilogrammes
- Frame weight: 828 grams (size 56)
- Stack/Reach/STR: 605/389 millimetres/1.55
- Maximum tyre clearance: 40 millimetres
- Prices: 2800 to 14000 Euro
- Sizes: 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
Even on the first Roubaix from 2003, Specialized placed great emphasis on comfort and gave the original model damping elements in the form of elastomer pads in the seat stays, seat post and fork. Although the spring effect could not be meaningfully proven, the way was paved. Since the introduction of the so-called Future Shock system, an integrated suspension between the stem and head tube, in 2016, the marathon bike from Morgan Hill has been setting standards and earned top marks for comfort in TOUR.
The new Roubaix is equipped with Future Shock 3.0, which offers more adjustment options compared to the previous version 2.0. Three different springs (soft, medium, hard) are available, each of which can be preloaded with up to five washers. This should allow the Roubaix to be adapted to the respective terrain and rider weight. According to Specialized, the change is possible for any hobby mechanic who can also change a stem.
In addition to the design adjustment options, the top models (S-Works, Pro) also offer the option of locking the hydraulic Future Shock system while riding using a dial. This is not possible on the mid-range (Expert, Comp) and basic models (Sport, Base).
"The first time I rode Paris-Roubaix without shocks, I had swollen fingers for a week," says Peter Sagan, who triumphed in the "Hell of the North" in 2018. "With Future Shock, you don't even realise you're riding on cobblestones anymore," adds the Slovakian TotalEnergies pro, who will end his successful career as a professional road cyclist after this season.
Up to 40-millimetre slippers
For more comfort, the Americans have also given the new Roubaix huge tyre clearance. Up to 40-millimetre tyres - the standard size on gravel bikes until a few years ago - fit through the frame and fork. In the seventh generation was already at 33 millimetres. The SL8 rolls on 32 millimetre wide tyres as standard. With mudguards, Specialized releases the frame set for 35 millimetre tyres. At the rear, the low clamped seat post with long extension increases riding comfort.
The Californians have left the frame geometry almost unchanged compared to its predecessor. Only the wheelbase has been lengthened slightly so that you don't hit the front wheel with your shoes when using wide tyres. This should make the Roubaix even smoother. The back-friendly riding position further emphasises the comfort concept.
Lighter and improved aerodynamics
In terms of weight, the new version of the Specialized Roubaix should also be on a par with the SL7. The carbon lay-up is based on the lightweight Aethos model and should save 50 grams on the frame. The lightest complete bike (S-Works SL8) weighs 7.3 kilograms in frame size 56 and high-quality carbon, according to Specialized. The simple basic version is around 2.2 kilograms heavier.
Last but not least, the development department from Morgan Hill - naturally - also took care of the aerodynamics and optimised the down tube, head tube and seat stays. This should make the SL8 four watts faster. With a pedalling power of three watts/kilogram, you can reach your destination eleven seconds faster on a 100-kilometre course. For most hobby riders and long-distance specialists, this benefit is probably less important than comfort.
Roubaix SL8: Equipment and prices
The new marathon bike, sorry, all-road bike from the Californians is available in seven equipment variants. The spearhead is the S-Works model with SRAM Red AXS and a lightweight carbon wheelset from the in-house brand Roval, but at € 14,000 it is just as expensive as the recently presented Tarmac SL8 and is only suitable for a more affluent audience. Unfortunately, the 9,000 euro Pro version with Force AXS is also on a par with competition bikes. The Expert version, which is available for 6500 euros, is more attractive in terms of price. However, both this model and the versions below it (Comp, Sport, Basis) are comparatively heavy.
S-Works Roubaix SL8
- Weight: 7.3 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 14,000 euros
- Frame: Fact 12r Carbon
- Switching group: SRAM Red AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-33 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.3
- Impellers: Roval Terra CLX II
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8 Pro
- Weight: 8.1 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 9000 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.3
- Impellers: Roval Terra CL
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8 Expert
- Weight: 8.6 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 6500 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: SRAM Rival AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.2
- Impellers: Roval Terra C
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8 Comp
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 4800 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.3
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8 Sport Apex
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 4000 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: SRAM Apex AXS (1x12; 40, 11-44 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.1
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8 Sport 105
The new mechanical 105 from Shimano with 2x12 drivetrain is apparently so new that Specialized does not yet have a product photo of the equipment variant.
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 3800 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: Shimano 105 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.1
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540
- Tyres: S-Works Mondo 2BR (32 millimetres)
Roubaix SL8
- Weight: 9.5 kilogrammes (size 56)
- Price: 2800 Euro
- Frame: Fact 10r Carbon
- Switching group: Shimano Tiagra (2x10; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Suspension: Future Shock 3.1
- Impellers: Axis Elite Disc
- Tyres: RoadSport (32 millimetres)
Julian Schultz
Editor
