New Specialized Roubaix SL8 - what’s changed?

This is the brand new Specialized Roubaix SL8, teh latest in a long line of endurance road bikes from the US company. This one builds on the previous generation with several new updates including 40mm tyre clearance, mudguard, bag and extra water bottle mounts and a 3rd generation Future Shock.

The new Roubaix will be priced from £2,500/£2,800 up to £12,000/$14,000 with seven models to choose from.

In this video we go through all the main changes and updates and TOMORROW we ride!

Content
0:00 Intro
1:00 Main changes
2:00 New Future Shock 3.0
3:00 Is Roubaix still popular and relevant?
$;09 Is it a Gravel Bike?
7:13 Comfort over aero
9:11 Comfort compared to rival bikes
11:55 Future Shock Deep Dive
17:15 Prices and builds
18:10 Summary

Supported by Saddleback

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[evdb]

A whole 11sec faster over 100km? Wow, that's A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

[Markhypnosis]

I bought a used 2017 Roubaix Elite a couple of years ago. Love it
Done a few century rides and a double century on it, very comfortable. I've even attached clip on TT bars for different positions, and aero gains.

[davidbristow]

Still riding my SL4 Expert Roubaix and love it

[noze]

I really enjoyed the review of the Future Shock, great video David!

[davidderrico]

For all this technology my old rim brake Giant Defy Advanced Ultegra from 2013 was somewhere between 17-18 pounds all these 5k plus bikes in 2023 seem to be 19-20 lbs.

[clew]

I wish they came out with an Aethos with Roubaix geometry, and 35mm tire clearance. That would be appealing. Instead they create another Future Shock with more weight and complexity.

[luisgarcia]

I would love a Roubaix with no future shock. It has much more forgiving geometry than the tarmac, aethos, and the rest.

[patrickrenschler]

nice! I hope they add in-frame storage to the next iteration!

[mariovr]

Finally a bike were the designers are logical. I am impressed and like what they have done. Thank you 😊

[Kittyjesus]

I like the roubaix line. I am one of those individuals that run 40mm file treads on my gravel bike. Lol

[Wanderer]

Nice. I enjoy the frame on my Roubaix. I'd just upgrade to the future shock 3.0 and maybe turn it into a light grave bike.

[vongdong]

Nice minor update. Definitely a do it all bike now with the room for 40mm tyres. I've got the last gen but don't think I'll ever upgrade anymore as it's a road only bike.

[hms]

Nice to see Specialized catching up to my Trek Domane purchased a few years ago with capabilities for wider wheels. I have 2 sets of wheels on my Domane 28 and 35 for gravel which has been most excellent. My Domane is a bit not light but super comfortable and ride straight over small pot holes. Do not notice the weight when in fast group rides. Perhaps there is a weight penalty if the ride has frequent stop lights getting out of the city. Funny that I do also have a 2013 Roubaix with Ultegra and rim brakes.

[ianandrews]

Recently discovered (and very much enjoying) the channel David. Great content and slick production. Been searching for a doitall option and this roubaix looks interesting

[kippen]

This bike is on my wishlist. Am thinking a bike like this and a more hardcore gravel bike with 650b wheels. My current bike is very stiff. It'd be nice to have a bit more comfort. The Roubaix would be for commuting, general riding and light gravel. The bike with 650b wheels would be for more hardcore gravel and even a bit of lower level single track.

[jimthebikeguy]

It might be hard for the average consumer, and the shopper, to understand the lineup now (this isn't unique to specialized btw). Effectively, the diverge, and the crux, and the roubaix, all do much the same job because Gravel is everything now.

[FL_Gator]

Was hoping you would cover this today on release day, David.. so thanks! Would love to know your opinion on the Roubaix vs Endurace. Very few head to head comparisons out there and your reviews are the most thorough 🚴‍♂️

[tealeaf]

Over the 5 years I've years of owning a 2017 Roubaix Comp I've enjoyed the fs at its hardest spring option . Can't remember what happened to the other 2. It would be cool if the now backward compatibility was free😅

[SergioCristancho]

did we just take the tyre clearence again as the main topic for calling a bike a posible gravel bike... I guess is just a versatile beautiful bike nice good looks on the Roubaix SL8

[Vinch]

Cool! Thanks David I enjoy watching videos about new stuff especially road bikes regardless of the brand.