Specialized Roll; a new type hybrid?
#76
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 19
From: Edwardsville, IL
Bikes: GT Virage, GT Avalanche, Surly Disc Trucker (for sale), Specialized Roll Comp 1x Low Entry
#80
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 4
From: Grant, Al
Bikes: Easy Racer Tour Easy, Bumblebeast (off road recumbent), Trek 5.2 Pilot, Rans Dynamik, Rans Alterra Ti
Patriot1. I was just noticing the photo of the stem cap. I’m not sure if my Roll is different but it looks like your stem cap is like the one on my Trek FX3. My Roll has a much different stem. Not sure how to describe it but certainly not round on top. More like a one piece design with a slot running down the center and sloping down the entire length of the stem. Just curios if there are different Rolls. Mine is a 2017 0r 2018 model and the Comp X1.
#82
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 588
Likes: 17
Bikes: (2) 2019 Specialized Roll Sports, 1992 Merlin Road Ti, 1986 Schwinn Peloton, 2 Trek 920’s,
#83
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 588
Likes: 17
Bikes: (2) 2019 Specialized Roll Sports, 1992 Merlin Road Ti, 1986 Schwinn Peloton, 2 Trek 920’s,
Patriot1. I was just noticing the photo of the stem cap. I’m not sure if my Roll is different but it looks like your stem cap is like the one on my Trek FX3. My Roll has a much different stem. Not sure how to describe it but certainly not round on top. More like a one piece design with a slot running down the center and sloping down the entire length of the stem. Just curios if there are different Rolls. Mine is a 2017 0r 2018 model and the Comp X1.
#84
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 4
From: Grant, Al
Bikes: Easy Racer Tour Easy, Bumblebeast (off road recumbent), Trek 5.2 Pilot, Rans Dynamik, Rans Alterra Ti
Sure is. Look at my photo on post #43 where I was asking about a mirror. BTW I have settled on a different one I took off another bike I had.
#85
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 8
From: Reston, Virginia
Bikes: 2016 Specialized Roll Sport Step Thru, 2020 Trek Verve+ 2 Low Step
#86
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 588
Likes: 17
Bikes: (2) 2019 Specialized Roll Sports, 1992 Merlin Road Ti, 1986 Schwinn Peloton, 2 Trek 920’s,
My wife and I took a short ride today. It’s her first official ride since retiring last Friday. Whooo hooo! Looking forward to lots of pedaling!






#88
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 19
From: Edwardsville, IL
Bikes: GT Virage, GT Avalanche, Surly Disc Trucker (for sale), Specialized Roll Comp 1x Low Entry
I’m 5’10” & have a large. I have a low entry & can get off pretty easily, but cannot stay on the seat & stop if that’s what you’re looking for.
#89
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 19
From: Edwardsville, IL
Bikes: GT Virage, GT Avalanche, Surly Disc Trucker (for sale), Specialized Roll Comp 1x Low Entry
We’ve had a busy summer and I haven’t been riding much, but getting going again. Rode 10 on Wednesday and 16 today. Just ordered a B67 & can’t wait to get it on. I do love a Brooks saddle.
You Roll owners, keep letting us know how you’re doing with your bikes.
You Roll owners, keep letting us know how you’re doing with your bikes.
#90
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 588
Likes: 17
Bikes: (2) 2019 Specialized Roll Sports, 1992 Merlin Road Ti, 1986 Schwinn Peloton, 2 Trek 920’s,
Roll On!
#91
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 562
Likes: 129
From: Windsor Ontario, Canada
Bikes: 2018 Giant Sedona
Specialized Roll; a newtype hybrid?
Giant has been making Comfort bikes like the Roll for 20 years. The Sedona and Cypress is of this design. I love my 2018 with its bolt upright seating position and 2" semi-knobby tires. It is so comfortable I feel I could ride it forever. At low to moderate speeds these bikes work very well. And with the right gears (Sedona has a 21 gear inch low) climbing pretty much any hill is childs play despite the bikes relative bulk.
I might have considered the Roll myself if my local bike shop carried them. Looks like a fine bike, Enjoy!
I just looked it up here in Canada. It won't work for me. Being 5' 6" stand over height is important, And the Sedona is over 3" lower with the same frame size. I also like the smaller tires (26" vs 27.5") on the Sedona for the same reason.
Giant has been making Comfort bikes like the Roll for 20 years. The Sedona and Cypress is of this design. I love my 2018 with its bolt upright seating position and 2" semi-knobby tires. It is so comfortable I feel I could ride it forever. At low to moderate speeds these bikes work very well. And with the right gears (Sedona has a 21 gear inch low) climbing pretty much any hill is childs play despite the bikes relative bulk.
I might have considered the Roll myself if my local bike shop carried them. Looks like a fine bike, Enjoy!
I just looked it up here in Canada. It won't work for me. Being 5' 6" stand over height is important, And the Sedona is over 3" lower with the same frame size. I also like the smaller tires (26" vs 27.5") on the Sedona for the same reason.
Last edited by xroadcharlie; 08-10-19 at 08:22 AM.
#92
When I was looking for a new bike I really looked into the Roll line of bikes. I was very close to getting one but then at that time I wasn't riding my bike much so didn't pull the trigger. I did test one at my dealer thought and will say it was a really nice riding bike and was very comfortable for me to ride.
#93
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 908
From: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Bikes: More bikes than riders
These differences may not be important, or even desirable, to some people, but the Roll is definitely a unique bike in the marketplace. My favorite LBS is a Specialized dealer, and I look at the Rolls every time I go in. I test-rode one a year or two ago and it didn't quite feel right to me, but I still keep eyeing them for some reason... :-)
#94
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 4,199
From: Somewhere South
Bikes: A couple old Schwinn Cross bikes , couple Specialized , a few Cruisers
After reading through this thread , I realized I had to have a Roll . I just ordered one of the entry level seven speed versions . It has all of the equipment I need to cruise the cart paths around here . I’ve never found a need for more than seven speeds and prefer the V-brakes to the disc brakes .
I own an old Hardrock I bought used , that I have setup similar to the Roll . I’ve always wanted a new Specialized . Looking forward to my first ride . Thanks for pushing me over the edge !
I own an old Hardrock I bought used , that I have setup similar to the Roll . I’ve always wanted a new Specialized . Looking forward to my first ride . Thanks for pushing me over the edge !
#95
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 588
Likes: 17
Bikes: (2) 2019 Specialized Roll Sports, 1992 Merlin Road Ti, 1986 Schwinn Peloton, 2 Trek 920’s,
After reading through this thread , I realized I had to have a Roll . I just ordered one of the entry level seven speed versions . It has all of the equipment I need to cruise the cart paths around here . I’ve never found a need for more than seven speeds and prefer the V-brakes to the disc brakes .
I own an old Hardrock I bought used , that I have setup similar to the Roll . I’ve always wanted a new Specialized . Looking forward to my first ride . Thanks for pushing me over the edge !
I own an old Hardrock I bought used , that I have setup similar to the Roll . I’ve always wanted a new Specialized . Looking forward to my first ride . Thanks for pushing me over the edge !
#96
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 4,199
From: Somewhere South
Bikes: A couple old Schwinn Cross bikes , couple Specialized , a few Cruisers
#97
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 4
From: Grant, Al
Bikes: Easy Racer Tour Easy, Bumblebeast (off road recumbent), Trek 5.2 Pilot, Rans Dynamik, Rans Alterra Ti
It’s a fine bike Kirby999, I really like mine. I did change the seat for a Selle Anatomica H1. But the stock seat is ok for some so I wouldn’t do anything until I gave it an honest evaluation. My problem is I ride a different bike and I have to swap the seat back and forth. If I was made out of money I’d get the new rubber version of the Selle Anatomica and put it on the Trek Pilot.
#100
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 4,199
From: Somewhere South
Bikes: A couple old Schwinn Cross bikes , couple Specialized , a few Cruisers












