Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM RED eTap AXS in review

With the Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM RED eTap AXS, the American bike giant sends its endurance road bike into our group test. Can the Future Shock 2.0 and new sizing scheme introduced with the Roubaix help it ride to victory?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

Lighter than the 2019 Specialized Venge and more aerodynamic than the S-Works Tarmac SL6 – that’s how the Specialized S-Works Roubaix was announced. In contrast to its predecessors, it has an updated version of the Future Shock system with 20 mm travel, which now has damping that can be adjusted, even while riding. To keep comfort at the front and rear consistent, Specialized’s D-shaped Pavé seatpost comes to play. Combined with the seat post clamp, which has been dropped by 65 mm, it is claimed not just to improve comfort but also the aerodynamics of the bike. Specialized’s Rider-First Engineering ensures consistent comfort and performance, with tailored carbon layups across the range of sizes on offer. Specialized have also brought together their male and female ranges, with no distinction between the two. The unified offering instead has an expanded range of sizes available.

The Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM RED eTap AXS in detail

Our size 56 test bike weighs 7.57 kg and costs € 11,199. For this price, you’ll get a complete 2×12 SRAM RED eTap AXS groupset including a power meter, Roval CLX 32 Disc wheels and 700 x 28C S-Works Turbo Rapid Air tires. Should you want, you’ll be able to fit up to 700 x 33C tires in this frame.

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The geometry of the Specialized

Size	44	49	52	54	56	58	61
Seat tube	365 mm	410 mm	446 mm	465 mm	485 mm	505 mm	547 mm
Top tube	512 mm	525 mm	533 mm	545 mm	563 mm	579 mm	595 mm
Head tube	90 mm	100 mm	112 mm	125 mm	143 mm	170 mm	205 mm
Head angle	70.0°	71.5°	72.0°	72.8°	73.5°	73.5°	74.0°
Seat angle	74.0°	74.0°	74.0°	74.0°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstays	413 mm	413 mm	413 mm	415 mm	415 mm	418 mm	418 mm
BB Drop	78 mm	78 mm	78 mm	76 mm	76 mm	75 mm	75 mm
Wheelbase	981 mm	982 mm	986 mm	988 mm	995 mm	1,014 mm	1,024 mm
Reach	353 mm	363 mm	368 mm	376 mm	384 mm	392 mm	398 mm
Stack	540 mm	555 mm	570 mm	585 mm	605 mm	630 mm	665 mm

Grinning at full blast on bumpy roads, while the others suffer on their stiff bikes. Just shift up and ride on.

The Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM RED eTap AXS in review

The S-Works Roubaix offers light footed acceleration, getting up to speed faster than the Trek Domane but lagging slightly behind more sprint-focussed bikes like the Focus Izalco or Dogma F12. While climbing and on the flats, it’s easy to maintain speed not least because the high level of comfort makes it possible to hold a more aggressive position for longer. Even on rocky gravel tracks, the Roubaix remains decidedly comfortable and feels supremely at ease. For heavier and taller riders who need a lot of seatpost extension, the rear can actually feel almost too compliant. The handling of the bike is also strongly dependent on the setting of the Future Shock 2.0 system and you’ll need to figure out what works for you. With the damping completely open, the front end is missing some precision and directness at full speed. However, in this configuration the Roubaix offers a balanced level of comfort and excellent straight line stability on challenging terrain. Close the damping and the bike is significantly more precise on the downhills, as well as reacting more quickly to sprints or aggressive braking. The Future Shock 2.0 damping offers a fine range of adjustment between open and closed, which is easy to change with the dial that takes the place of the traditional steerer tube cap. Overall, the handling of the Roubaix is balanced, though it is good-natured rather than aggressively sporty. That also contributes to the bike’s dependable and secure feeling ride.

Tuning tips: Zero-rise bars and a flat Future Shock cover for more pressure on the front wheel and better steering precision

Conclusion

The Specialized S-Works Roubaix is a comfortable and sporty platform that will suit everyone from beginners to pros. It plays to its strengths on poor roads, farm tracks and compacted gravel and stands out with its integrated comfort concepts and the dependable and stable handling that it offers. The Specialized misses out on the win only because it’s missing that final bit of sprightliness and precision when riding right at the limit.

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For more info head to specialized.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

Specialized S-Works Roubaix

All bikes in test: Argon 18 Krypton Pro (Click for review) | Bianchi Infinito CV Disc (Click for review) | BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace (Click for review) | Cicli Bonanno Futomaki Disc (Click for review) | FOCUS IZALCO MAX DISC 9.9 (Click for review) | LOOK 795 BLADE RS DISC (Click for review) | OPEN U.P.P.E.R. (Click for review) | Pinarello Dogma F12 Team INEOS Edition (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL SIX Dura Ace Di2 Custom (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Roubaix | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap (Click for review) | VOTEC VRC PRO (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl