Road bikes with mechanical gears: The Specialized Roubaix Sport in the TOUR test

Specialised Roubaix Sport - A sought-after trendsetter

Everything has been said about the advantages of the Roubaix: like hardly any other marathon bike, the Specialized impresses with its generous suspension comfort. The most favourable equipment variant - at 3450 euros, however, not a typical basic model - is no exception. The Americans have also equipped the Roubaix Sport with a suspension element between the stem and head tube, which impressively absorbs shocks. In contrast to more expensive models, the damping cannot be adjusted while riding, so the system cannot be locked.

However, apart from crisp sprints where you pull on the handlebars, this is not a decisive disadvantage. The Roubaix is not designed for speeding anyway, but as a prototypical representative of a long-distance bike. In addition to the excellent suspension, which is also first-class at the rear thanks to the long carbon seat post, this is emphasised by the riding position. This is even more upright than the stack/reach ratio would suggest thanks to the upward-cranked handlebars.

Not a racing machine

The comfortable chassis has the disadvantage of a heavy frameset; the headset alone weighs four times as much as conventional versions due to the Future Shock system. The steering response is correspondingly sluggish, which is also due to the heavy aluminium wheels and slow-rolling tyres. However, the Roubaix is not a racing machine, but a comfort wonder on two tyres.

>> Endurance road bike test: Specialized Roubaix Comp

The frame can accommodate tyres up to 33 millimetres wide, allowing the bike to tackle off-road sections and, thanks to the 1:1 gear ratio, also offers sufficient reserves on high-percentage climbs. The Roubaix Sport - the only model with mechanical gears - is notoriously sold out in standard sizes in the online shop. However, when asked, Specialized assured us that it is available in many sizes in stationary shops.

The Specialised Roubaix Sport in detail

• Price3450 Euro
• Weight: 8,8 Kilo

• Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1067/334/430 grammes
• Frame sizes** 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
• Seat/top tube/head tube 485/570/144 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR*** 587/389 millimetres/1.51
• Wheelbase/caster 995/52 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift Shimano 105 (2x11; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes Shimano 105 (160/160 mm)
• Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss R470/Specialized Turbo Pro 30 mm (front/rear: 1471/2040 g)

Strengthsexcellent spring comfort, seven sizes

Weaknessesheavy Future Shock system, relatively expensive

More bikes with mechanical gears in the TOUR test

• Basso Astra
• Cube Attain GTC Race
• Medira Scultura Endurance 400
• Storck Fascenario.3 Comp Ultegra
• Stevens Izoard Pro Disc

The results at a glance

>> How TOUR tests: The TOUR road bike test in detail

*Weighed weights.

**Manufacturer information, test size bold.

***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;

STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.

****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.