Specialized Roubaix SL8 Expert£6,000 Soft up front, sporty in the rear, the mullet endurance bike is here
Weight 8.62kg Frame FACT 10R carbon Fork/Suspension FACT Carbon/Future Shock 3.2 Gears SRAM Rival AXS w/Power, 12-speed, (10-36t, 46/33t) Brakes SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc Wheels Roval Terra C Finishing kit Future Stem Prom stem, Specialized Hover Expert alloy handlebar, S-Works Pave seatpost, Body Geometry Power Expert saddle, S-Works Mondo 2BR, 700x32c tyres
SPECIALIZED’S ROUBAIX SL8 IS now the third incarnation of the Future Shock-equipped endurance design. This model has plenty of aero influence from the SL8 Tarmac plus a toning down of the smoothness that’s been the keystone of the Roubaix since its 2017 reinvention. It gives the Roubaix Expert an imbalanced on-road feel, though it’s still a real smoothy.
Specialized hasn’t messed with the Roubaix’s ride position and steering geometry, which is a good thing. The tall 630mm stack and good 397mm reach on my 58cm test bike are combined with a road-race-ready 73° head angle and 57mm trail, which adds plenty of snap to the steering. The 73.5° seat angle is all about getting your power through the pedals, and on the road the Roubaix feels rapid, without putting you into a pro-rider tuck.
Fluid damping
Up front, the latest incarnation of the Future Shock system brings fluid damping and real springs to the mix. (If you want adjustable damping, you must step up to the £12,000 S-Works or £8,000 Pro models.) On this £6,000 Expert model, the damping is set in the middle position, but I never felt the front end was too soft or too hard, irrespective of the road surface. At the rear, a new seat-tube shape and aero seatpost replace the old super-flexible, slender post, making the back end noticeably firmer than the front. You can now fit tyres up to a huge 40mm though. The frame is lighter than the previous model (by a claimed 50g on the S-Works frame), which is quite an achievement when you consider the amount of aerodynamic restyling that’s gone on, along with the increased clearance and additional mounts (there’s a third set of bottle bosses on the
The Good
Smooth; comfortable ride position; swift steering
The Bad
Not set up tubeless; you can find better value
down-tube and top-tube mounts). These details push the Roubaix more towards all-road and even gravel racing than before, though thankfully it still has provision for mudguards. The Future Shock system means you can’t run the brake hoses through the head-tube, so this
