Specialized Roubaix SL8; evolution, not revolution

No bike launch is complete without bold (hyperbolic) claims about its performance, and the new Roubaix SL8 is no different. Featuring the new Future Shock 3.0, the new bike is said to be, “lighter, faster, and smoother than any road bike ever made.” No half measures here for the launch day hype train.

Picking the bones out of the launch announcement, what we can say for certain is that, objectively, these things are different on the new Roubaix SL8:

• The frame silhouette, though strikingly similar to the current bike, features a deeper downtube, lower seat stays, and a headtube shape further aero optimized*.
• Of the geometry changes, the brand calls out a longer wheelbase, lower BB, taller stack, slacker head tube, and shorter reach.
• 7.3kg for a size 56 S-Works, made from FACT 12r carbon, represents a 50 gram weigh saving…. (for context, a good double shot espresso, made with a 1:2 ratio, weighs 36 grams!).

UK flavour

What should get UK retailers and riders excited is the usability of the new bike. Up to 38c / 40mm tyre clearance, and mudguard mounts. Maybe not a sexy headline maker, but the ability to ride a bike on potholed UK roads, through winter weather, where club rides make fixed mudguards an essential, is a significant step forward.

For those liking the idea of Roubaix for gravel, there’s a Sram Apex AXS build sporting an 11-44T cassette paired with a 12 wide 40T crankset  (what this means for Diverge sales, only time will tell).

Future Shock 3.0 (3.1. and 3.3)

The new Roubaix SL8 debuts an all-new Future Shock, with bikes sporting either version 3.1 or 3.3.

With version 3.0, Specialized has pointed out that ‘For the first time, Future Shock can be easily tuned so every rider – regardless of position on the bike – can get 20mm of smooth, stiction-free travel.’

The point of emphasis here is that ‘riders can tune how Future Shock 3.0 reacts to bumps based on their terrain’. As before, 3 different springs are offered – firm, medium, and soft. With 3.0, each of those springs can be paired with up to 5 preload washers. Future Shock 3.3 is said to deliver ‘better in-the-saddle adjustability of compression than ever’.

Interestingly there is also a nod to making things easier to adjust; not something everyone would have said of the previous iterations. Now we’re told that, ‘If you can remove a stem, you can dial in a Future Shock 3.0.’

Question is, do we (riders) really want (need) greater adjustability for what is, in essence, 20mm of quality vibration damping? How many of us will read, ‘Need it firm for an aggressive position and big cobbles like our pros? Or maybe you ride in a relaxed position and want it to feel nice and soft to eat up high-frequency vibrations or chip seal?’ and find ourselves think; yeah, I’m all in on tweaking my setup for different riding conditions? Complexity sold as evolution, or genuinely usable micro adjustment for a ‘1 bike to do it (almost) all’ kind of riding? Over to you on that one…

Don’t forget the AfterShock

On the back end of the bike the Roubaix SL8 now has a Dropped Clamp design which sits 65mm lower than a traditional seatpost clamp—creating a longer lever. Paired with the Pavé seatpost, this is said to give the new Roubaix ‘the maximum amount of rear deflection for a smooth and efficient ride.’

No aero claims? *

Yes, but they’re so minor that a full jersey pocket will negate them. Click here if you really want to find out more.

Pricing

Retailers and riders will be pleased to hear that customers can now hop on a Roubaix for less.

• £2500 now gets you a Tiagra equipped Roubaix SL8.
• Making a ‘new vs old’ comparison, the outgoing 105 11spd equipped Sport currently retails at £3500, whilst the new Sport, with 105 12spd mechanical, is listed at £3000.

Now, nobody is going to suggest that £3K for a bike with a mechanical groupset is some kind of earth shattering, price point exploding, good deal. However, it is encouraging to see (competitors are making the same moves) prices dialling back – a solid reflection of the reality of the current financial climate.

• Prices across the range look to be £500 less than on the outgoing models, with only the S-Works model bucking that trend, now at £12k compared with £13k for the outgoing bike (matching what we’ve seen on S-Works Tarmac SL7 Vs S-Works Tarmac SL8).