A Roubaix Comp is currently on my short list. I have to say the first thing that caught my eye was the Gloss AC Blue color. But what I'm not sure about is the Future Shock. Although Bike Radar rated it at the top of their list, I'm not sure if this Future Shock is gimicky or here to stay. As soon as I get a chance I do want to find a local LBS so that I can take one for a spin. Being an older rider, comfort means a lot to me and that was the other thing that caught my eye with regards the the Future Shock.

Comments and opinions welcome

Did you mean Specialized "Future Shock"?

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/future-shock

How much effect does this "Future Shock" have vs. the wider tires and lower air pressures that can easily be used on disc brake bicycles?

It's significantly more effective than just larger tires at lower pressure. This coming from someone that runs 35c tires at 40-50 psi.

I was thinking about stem springs/shocks earlier as an alternative to a "headshock". But also issues of frame rigidity.

Perhaps it doesn't matter much if one is casually sitting in the seat and pedalling.

But, standing up, the stem shock will bounce up and down as one pulls up on the bars. And would likely be a significant loss of energy.

On the other hand, a fork/head shock might bounce up and down a little with a pedal stroke, but the bars would remain rigid with the frame and bottom bracket. So, one wouldn't be pulling the shock up when standing, at least in theory.

An interesting option (probably not done by Specialized) would be to design a stem shock so that twisting it would cause it to naturally bind. So, say one pulls up on the right side of the bars, then it would bind and not give vertical compliance. On the other hand, a bounce might be more symmetrical, and thus give vertical compliance.

I recently rode a Roubaix and a Domane and like the Domane more. But then again my road bike is a Emonda.

Exactly. Sorry for the mistake. I was sitting here going over the 3 or 4 bikes in my head that are on my short list and twisted up the names.

I'm not a very "strong" rider so the issue of rigidity doesn't concern me as much as the feeling of being decoupled from the overall feel and experience of the bike. I like their idea of bracing the seat post lower in the seat tube but I'm still having a problem convincing myself about the shock.

The only way to know is wait for the next redesign and see if they drop it.

I guess the Zertz gimmick is over.

I thought Trek had something equivalent in the works, thanks for clarifying

There's an entire thread on the new Roubaix.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ix-review.html

Why not do an extended test ride to see if it works for you?

I am interested in the bike. Sometime soon I will probably take one for a test ride - the only way to find out. Will look seriously at the 2018 Roubaix - as oldnslow said, we'll see if it s still around and has any fixes/improvements.

I got one and love it. Only time I really think about it, is when I am standing and mashing but you really get used to it. Regular seated riding, no difference, but it really does absorb a ton. I love it

Here's another view.

I have 2 bikes, a Trek Emonda SLR with 25mm tires and a Cannondale SuperX CX with 32mm tires.

The SuperX is my winter bike and cruises over all the rough roads like a Cadillac. The frame and wider tires really absorb the bumps compared to the Emonda... no need for gimmicks. But the Emonda just handles better an climbs faster due to better power transfer.

I can tell you there's a rather bumpy decent I ride regularly and when I did it on the SuperX, for the first time, I greatly increase my MPH. This is why the pros only ride the Roubaix on cobble classics and no other time.

The only thing I know about the "Future Shock" is that one DIDN'T break in this year's Paris-Roubaix. (Although an S-Works Roubaix mocked up to look as if it had the "Future Shock" did!)

Yup... one had a interaction with a spectator jacket.

Wrong race. That photo is from the Tour of Flanders.

For those not getting my original reference, Niki Terpstra rode an S-Works Roubaix with the Future Shock in this year's Paris-Roubaix. Except that it wasn't really an S-Works Roubaix with the Future Shock. It was disguised to appear that it was an S-Works Roubaix with the Future Shock. When his steering tube snapped, the charade was revealed.

"Race proven technology," indeed.

Thanks for the correction, but my point is still valid.

What did you prefer about the Domane?

my canondale cross bike from the way past has a headshock. I love it, if the new thing is as good as the old one it'll be great. In the winter I ride my cross bike on the roads it's super smooth.

It seemed more responsive. I road tested both on a rough paved road that went through a state park. I also rode on the soft shoulder and fire road. I was so impressed with the Domane, that I wanted a "rough road" bike but didn't have the budget for the Domane. So I wound up purchasing a Cannondale SuperX CX bike. 32mm tubeless tires really soak up the bumps and was in my price range. Adding a second set of wheels, later on, allows me to swap from 32mm road to 35mm knobby so it's very capable on road, snow, dirt and mud.

So what? Other manufacturers have had mechanicals as well, it's not like this is the first time this has ever happened. In any event, you conveniently omitted context in your earlier post as was pointed out earlier

Nice try

So what? You don't get it. It's not the mechanical that makes this a story -- it's the illegal bike part disguised as a legal part. Shame on Specialized.

Ohhh snap! That was embarrassing! Was there a write up on that?? Let see if I can find the story.

Not a biggie ... let's move on

Read more at https://www.velonews.com/2017/04/news...xtiRXDr8x5z.99