Digital Gee

Thinking of installing 28mm tyres (tip o' the hat to Stapfam) on my 2007 Roubaix. Has anyone done this on this specific bike? I emailed Specialized about this once, and it took several months for them to respond, and in the response, they only said if I had any questions, I could email them. D'oh!

Anyway... anybody try this?

BSLeVan

Have we installed 28s on your Roubaix? No. I have put them on my 2006 Roubaix S-Works with no issues, but went back to 25s, because I liked those better.

shmulb

So long as your brake calipers are not too close there should not be any problem. I replaced the 23's on both our Jamis's with 28s. You may not be able to remove or install them fully inflated, but the bike does not care what tires are on it.

maddmaxx 

As with most of these fit questions.............unless you get an answer from someone with the same model bike and the same model of tire you will not know untill you try them. Remember that the wheel and tire will deflect a bit during cornering, so the static clearance is not the whole answer.

What is presently on the bike?

Digital Gee

I believe I asked if anyone has done this on this specific bike, so part (A) is covered. As to which tire, I don't know what the LBS has to choose from. Currently riding with Conti Ultra Gatorskins (23mm).

Hermes

Which one?

S-Works Roubaix SL SRAM
S-Works Roubaix SL Dura-Ace
S-Works Roubaix SL Module
Roubaix Pro
Roubaix Expert Compact Rival
Roubaix Expert Compact Ultegra
Roubaix Expert Triple
Roubaix Comp Compact
Roubaix Comp Triple
Roubaix Elite Compact
Roubaix Elite Triple
Roubaix Compact
Roubaix Triple

Maybe all Roubaix framesets are dimensionally the same? I do not own one.

maddmaxx 

What I ment by specific model of bike and tire was that the fit will vary. For example, is the fork and chainstay the same for the Roubaix expert as it is for the pro********** and different brands of 28mm tires will have different 28mm dimensions as one companies 28 is another companies 26.

The points of possible contact between the tire and your bike will probably be in the area of the chainstay (you have those pretty narrow wishbone stays.......or at least the pro does.) or at the top of the fork. From looking at pictures of the bike with 23's I'd have to say that the fit of 28's is going to depend on........................insert coin flip here. Its that close. IMHO

Digital Gee

Tough crowd!

Hermes

You are a big strong guy and will flex the wheels and frame when you stand. The chance that the tire will rub the frame while standing seems high to me with larger tires.

The best way is to check it out at Adams.

BSLeVan

+1 DG: You might want to try the Gatorskins in a 25. I made a switch from Gators 23 to 25 and the ride difference was noticeable. Additionally, I think (not completely sure of this) that the 25s are actually just a wee bit wider than 25.

Digital Gee

Well, i'll know a lot more in about an hour. Dropped Ruby off at Adams, they said 28s would fit fine, and I'll find out about the ride characteristics when I pick her up.

The Smokester

+1

I have 25mm Conti GP4000's on my Roubaix Expert Compact (didn't pay no stinkin' $3300) and they are much smoother than the 23's. My dealer says that 28 Conti 4 seasons will fit but I never tried. I have 28's on another wheelset and would give it a try for you if I were within 5000 miles of my bikes at home.

Digital Gee

Well, the mystery is solved. Adams put on 28s and they're just fine. Took a one-block test ride (painful, given the fact that I have pink eye or an infection right now) and I could tell no real difference, but it wasn't enough of a ride to really tell. They look good. Gatorskins.

Mojo Slim

I accidently (don't ask) went from 23mm Conti Gatorskins to 28mm Conti Gatorskins on my Giant OCR. No problems. I'm back to 23s though.

Velo Fellow

I've ridden most of the tires and all sizes mentioned here. My current "final" pick was the Conti GP4000's in 25. (It's a generous 25.) Good wear, good puncture resistance, and a sweet resilient feeling ride. Road surface, frame geometry & material, rider weight, wheel stiffness, saddle......a lot goes into perception of tire "ride" I think. That, and sometimes.... a tire is really just a tire and amazing how we can adapt. For bad surfaces, I sometimes go to a bombproof 32.

w2brdbkr

I ride a Roubaix, but not the full carbon & when I bought the bike I had them put on 28's because everyone said because of my size (over 200 pounds) that it would be better.

I rode 1,000 miles with those then switched them out for the stock 25cm tires for my first century & I could tell a big difference. They seem to be faster but were also a little rougher ride.

After a 1,000 miles on them & getting three flats in one day I noticed a cut in the tire I went & bought some Gatorskins.
They are 25's & seem to be a little harder ride but I'll take the speed I get from the 25's over the 28's I had on there.

I didn't have any problem with the fit of the 28's, they do give a little more cushion just because there is more rubber on the ground.