What seemed to be the issue with the fit? Bar height can be adjusted about 4" with the various stock options.

I couldn't really tell what was off in the fit. If I knew I would have corrected it.

I changed seat height, fore/aft positioning, and angle. The stem had already been flipped by the LBS. But I wasn't about to try and change any stem spacers with the complicated lock ring that connects steerer to shock. The handlebar was a hover bar. I asked several different sales guys about the hover bar height options, and the LBS did not seem to want to change it from what comes stock, and the LBS said they would not be stocking any of the hover bars.

The bike felt like I was riding a wheelie and was about to flip backwards. It was a weird feeling - never had a bike feel like that before. I was probably doing something wrong, but like I said, when I returned the bike they were so busy I just turned it in and left. I'll go back in off hours when I get a chance,

Okay, I had that feel too (riding a wheelie). Removing the spacers, flipping the stem and installing my familiar Power saddle fixed things for me.

…and I exaggerated, 15mm of spacers, 15mm headset cover and 15mm stem orientation gives about 1 ¾” of adjustment. Still pretty ample for out of the box options.

Its a weird design. It violates the principle of keeping the unsprung weight to a minimum. On the Roubaix the whole bike bounces up and down, when they could have suspended the fork like on every other suspension bike and motorbike. Canondale had bikes like that many years ago withe the suspension between the fork and the frame. Do a search for "cannondale silk road fork". It is good looking though.

Cannondale Silk Road - 1999 - Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

The design goal (or one of them) was compliance between the front axle and bars. Looks to me like the Cannondale is pretty solid between those two points.

What matters to me is how much road chatter is delivered to my hands (and progressively wrists, shoulders and neck). My experience so far is the design flat out works in smoothing out the bumps and delivers a very comfortable, less fatiguing ride.

In the older Cannondale the shock is placed between the fork and the frame. That gives compliance between front axel and bars as well. On the Roubaix the shock is between the frame and the bars. Imagine a motorbike with a stiff fork and suspended bars :twitchy:. There is a reason its not built like that that. If interested look into the concept of unsprung weight in suspension.

Im sure it works as advertised though, but imo its not a design i accordance with best practice, thats all. looks played a role in the design decisions, Im sure.

The concept of a suspended bars it not a new one. I remember similar solutions from my youth, how ever not nearly as elegant.

https://www.google.dk/search?newwind...k1.zwo0HQrUDvc

The shock is in the steering tube, the frame is not involved (on the front end anyway).

I know where it is. Functionally its between the frame and the bars, and that is why the whole bike minus the bar and stem is unsprung weight. On the Cannondale only the front wheel and fork is unsprung like on a motorbike or mtb. Functionally the Raubaix is no different than a suspension stem.

Not saying I agree or disagree, but I think Spz said that since the frame is so light compared to the rider, that it is a different situation than comparisons to motorbikes and cars. Also, I believe they said since the spring motion is in alignment with head tube, and geometries don't change as it goes up and down, it is better than a suspension stem that bobs up and down, changing stem angle as it does.

I have no idea if these two arguments are correct or not, and don't even want to venture a guess. I can say I felt no vibrations in my hands, wrists, forearms, or shoulder blades, which made it very comfortable. As reviewers have noted, the vibrations still come through the foot pedals. And as I already noted, the fore/aft movement of the seatpost bothered me a bit.

You never rode it, and you think it works, but you don't agree with the design because it's not "in accordance with best practices".
:foo: Sorry, you lost me.

That's the whole idea behind the concept, though I don't think the light weight frame played much a part here. The idea was not to suspend (= dampen) the whole rider + bike, but just the rider, so that they wouldn't have geometry issues when the suspension system is at work (and that's what happens if you suspend rider + bike through the forks or crown). In reality it's not a suspension system, but more something close to a dampening system to isolate the rider from high frequency and/or low amplitude vibrations. And the thing works. Brilliantly, if I might add.

What i wrote really isn't very complicated. No need to get lost unless you want to :rolleyes:

They are to a degree. The lower the weight of the bike, the lower unsprung mass, that is a given. I was just commenting that it could be lower with the Cannondale approach and that the system is more like a suspension stem rather than a suspension fork. Its still a suspension stem even if its a better suspension stem than previous efforts. As I already said. I dont doubt the system works as advertised. However Im also confident that it would/could work even better with a suspended fork instead. Im sure some will disagree and thats fine :-)

first ride on my new ride. yes, I bought one...'17 Roubaix comp (Mech Ultegra)

My previous ride was a Giant Defy 2 (AL) with upgraded wheels (fulcrum 5's) and derailleurs (105). I cross shopped the Defy Advanced, Trek Domane and Specialized Roubaix (old and new)

After the test rides I was pretty much sold on the new roubaix. My impressions were...

Defy Advanced - Carbon version of what I was already riding. Felt just the same, not really an upgrade.
Domane - PLush rear, but chatter in the front and that was what I disliked most about the Defy I owned was the high freq vibration in the handlebars. The Domane had it too
Roubaix Old - drove like a truck
Roubaix new - plush but not trucklike.

So I picked it up Saturday but didn't get out until today (other than the check-out ride) when I did just 15 miles and ~1400 ft of climbing + descending (it was a loop after all). As has been said before, a flying couch. Really well damped front and rear. What impressed me the most though was that even with that said, it handles much faster than my Defy. Closer to the old (1980's) Criterium frame I had way back when. When I swerved around potholes the steering was right-now immediate. I used to think the Defy's steering was great (tapered steerer and all) but this is way better.

For me the futureshock (DumbName (TM)) works great since I am very bothered by high frequency vibes in the handlebars. My previous bike (A Spz Allez with Zertz) was better than the defy for that (or the domane) but the new roubaix is much better. I do notice the handlebar movement when climbing out of the saddle, but not in a bad way. Definitely not like how it feels coming up steep hills on my MTB. The rest of the time it just quiets the front end without robbing sensitivity. And it steers fast, did I mention that already?

The downside, weight. In the shop with platform pedals and clips (for them to break in the brakes) it was 20.12 lbs (58 cm). After adding my headlight, taillight, computer, saddle bag (multitool, tube, tire levers) ultegra pedals and Selle Anatomica model X saddle it was 22 lbs. Just ~1.5 lighter than the AL Defy. I don't care though. I have more than 15 lbs on flab on me that I can get rid of much less expensively than paying for the higher end kit and when it comes right down to it, I am not racing anyone except myself anyway.

The weather looks good for commuting on it Tomorrow and Wednesday so I will have a lot more familiarity soon (34 miles and 1800' round trip). I rode 3549 miles last year. This year I am shooting for 4200+ (5k really but if I write that here I am committed). This bike should help. If it doesn't though, don't tell my wife...

Nice review.


Sounds like Specialized have a real winner on their hands.

Funny, after riding the same four bikes, I came to the same conclusion. The Defy rode OK, but harsh. The Domane felt sluggish, but smooth. The Roubaix was smooth, but didn't have the sluggish feel of the Domane. The "gimmicks" work, and work well. I've taken two rides, and need to make an adjustment here or there, but so far it's a sweet ride.

Wow, you had me sold until this part. That's pretty heavy for a mid range / high end bike.

<self-justifying my purchase>
The pedals they had at the shop were old platform MTB pedals with nylon cages. Probably about the heaviest you'll find. My guestimate is that with decent pedals and a cage the 58 should be ~19 lbs. Someone else posted 18.18 for a smaller frame.
</self-justifying my purchase>

I wish it were a bit lighter, but that said nothing else I rode comes close to it in either comfort or handling and certainly not both.

Just picked up the Roubaix Elite this morning. Did a 30 miler and so far so good.

I haven't purchased a off the shelf road bike in about 20 years. I usually like building up my own bikes, but I couldn't resist this bike.

Just moved to London area this past September from the States and the roads here are MUCH wore then where I used to live. I also would like to do some of the gravel/adventure CX races that are popular as well. The Roubaix should fit the bill nicely. I took it on a off road trail for part of the ride today (with the stock 26mm tires) and it did great. I have some Challenge Eroica 30mm tires for rougher road/trails/adventure races. It currently has the medium spring in it which is perfect for the road. I can see the stiffer spring appealing to those who want very minimal movement (Racing, smooth roads etc.) After riding it off road for a bit, I can see I'll be switching to the more compliant spring for my upcoming CX Sportive race.

Like others have stated, the only time you seem to notice the front suspension is when you cringe when hitting a bump and realise there is no need to cringe as it goes right over most road imperfections very smoothly. I don't notice any movement from the seat post, I suppose it's doing some damping, but can't tell....other then it's comfy.

I put a 10 degree negative rise and stem and will definitely be changing the riser bars for 0 degree rise bars, and then I'll be close to the geometry I like.

I can certainly see this bike being a big hit.
(pictures to follow when I figure out to upload them)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_011.jpg

Well, a little over 650 km on the Roubaix, so this will be my final report. I'll try to address the same points I made when I wrote about the bike on my first impressions, so that there may be a parallel of sorts.

Frame: Stiff. Tarmac-stiff, to be more precise. I can't feel any lateral flex, and I'm heavy (100 kg as of yesterday).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_015.jpg

Geometry: I know many will roll their eyes on this, but I would classify it as "race geometry". Yeah, it's an enduro bike, I know, and has more laid-back (civilized) angles, but it rides like a race bike. Not a truly bare-bones crit bike, but definitively more like a race bike then what I would expect from an enduro bike. So, a race-bike-that-doesn't-punish-you? Something like that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_016.jpg

FutureShock: Get over it, even those who never rode one; IT WORKS! If you pay attention you see it going up and down when you're standing, but you don't feel as if it's sucking up power like a 29er on asphalt. After some time you totally forget it exists, but when you get home you feel less drained, specially your back, arms and hands/wrists. I said that it allowed me to go longer because the bike was more comfortable, but looking at my past rides on these 600 km, I can see that I'm also faster on certain sections. So it allows you to ride longer with less discomfort, and it also makes you faster in rough or technical sections. Adding everything up, frame + geometry + FutureShock = flying couch. And it's a fast couch, to boot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_018.jpg

Tires: Still think that the Roubaix Pro 700C×30/32 were overkill. If you're going to do a lot of off-roading then maybe the 30/32s are ok, but with no knobs there's only so much traction they can give you. My next pair will be more common (and lighter) 28s, that I'm confident that will be plush enough.

Seat post: I haven't seen a photo of myself sitting on the bike, but I imagine that with the CG-R seat post from afar it must look like something slipped out of my shorts. Fugly as sin, to the point I was going to get a normal regular looking seat post as soon as I got the bike, but the problem is that the darn thing works. The fugly seat post + lower tightening point on the seat tube really dampens out shocks to my behind, so it will stay on the bike. Function over form.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_017.jpg

Brakes I: Here I'll have to go against my initial impressions on the stock Tektro Spyres. They s-u-c-k. Sweaty moose balls, in fact. I know I wrote they were "very good", even better then the Promax (C'dale's own budget brand) that come on my CAADX, but I have to eat crow on that. I wasn't being able to lock my rear wheel, but I thought that with time things would improve, as happened with the Promax. I was getting "good" braking, but looking back now I think that was due to good brake technique and not powerful brakes. What made me realize this was that last week I had to ride only the CAADX, and I then could perceive how much the Tektro units are terrible. They basically have the stopping power of good rim brakes, so I stand corrected: they're the WORSE part of the Elite Roubaix package.

Brakes II: I had to go back to the CAADX because (finally!) I got hydro units installed. I got Shimano's RS685/RS805, and now the bike ROCKS! You have to please forgive my enthusiasm, since it's been almost 7 months since the last time I rode my 29er (so I may be a little over the top), but now the bikes stops like a mountain bike. Like on a dime. Using only one finger! Before, shifting while braking demanded a little bit of dexterity and a little more runway, but now I can easily shift AND don't need to start braking a little earlier. You wanna stop, you stop, no need to plan ahead. It wasn't cheap, but one of the best bike upgrades I ever did. Now the bike is a fast flying couch that stops on a dime.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_020.jpg

Color: Yeah, the black and green combo is nice, but being more a b&w bike kind of guy, I would rather have it all in a stealthy matte black. Besides, that green is a grease magnet. And hard to match with cycling kits.

Weight: Still heavy. BUT... Getting rid of those God-forsaken Tektros and switching to the RS685/RS805 got rid of 100 g, So with Roubaix Pro 700C×30/32 tires (each with 30 g of sealant in the tubes), one SPZ's rib cage, SRAM's Garmin Edge mount and 105 pedals, my Roubaix (58) is weighing 9340 g. Just swapping the tires for a pair of good Continentals 28 will save me at least 200 g, so a sub-9 kg is possible, but you will spend a nice penny.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ke/RBX_021.jpg

Concluding, with hydro brakes, the bike rocks. Heavy, but one of those few bikes where it's sensible to slowly upgrade components and at the end have a sub-9 kg bike. A fantastic all-rounder and VERY capable fast bike that could be used for racing, even crits but specially fondos. It's definitively not a CX bike and to use it as a gravel bike would be to stretch it's limits (because of the impossibility of using knobby tires), unless you're tackling some very smooth dirt roads. If you want a bike that does it all and is a delight to ride, think about a Roubaix :).

LUW. Thanks for the reviews.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on just a few days in riding my new Roubaix Elite.

The enduro bike feel, but with race geometry is what sold me on it.

My thoughts on the Tektro brakes are so far so good. Probably because I'm coming from years of rim brakes and very fiddly canto's on my CX bike. I would agree that they stop a bit better then my rim brakes on my old road bike, good enough for now, but I will likely upgrade in the next year to Ultegra hydraulic brakes and levers as the RS505 are soo butt ugly (to me...).

I have a custom carbon wheel set being built for the bike that should lighten things up a bit. I'll most likely run them tubeless as well. I'll save the stock AXIS wheels for larger diameter tires and use the carbon set of 25mm or 28mm road tubeless.

I'm glad you liked it gunnar!
As brakes in general (cantis+rim brakes+V-brakes), the Tektros are ok, but trust me on this, as disk brakes they suck, even if you're only talking about cable units. In fact, this is the second bike I have with Tektro cable disks that offered puny braking power. Once you go hydro you'll see the difference and wonder how did you ever stand them before. And about the STIs, in terms of function there's basically no difference between the RS505 and my RS685, but I agree with you that they look MUCH worse then the Ultegra/RS685 version.

And one last thing: my tires are not tubeless, but "tubed" with sealant. I've been happily using this system for road and mountain bikes for the last 15K+ km and never felt the need to go tubeless.

I reached my terminal velocity on a downhill yesterday and the bike was rock solid and stable. Anything over 30 on my old bike was a little hair raising, but the new Roubaix inspired the confidence to go faster. I saw 38 and peddled for 40 but didn't quite get it. Next time...

Attachment 549812

Anything over 30mph was hair raising what did u ride?

There are seatpost that look better and function better at the same time: Best soft-riding rigid seatposts for road, dirt, and gravel - BikeRadar

The Ergon is nice, but the weight restriction kills it for me.