With your upper body now somewhat isolated you can expect the unsprung bits of the bike to shake more.

Sorry, don't quite understand what you mean. Pretty sure I haven't experienced anything like you mention compared to my other bikes.

Hi Big Wally
I’ve been waiting for over six months to see if any one else was having problems with their Roubaix Future Shock, like I was. Amazingly there have been no searchable problems till this forum thread.
Firstly, I used to have an annoying rattle, apparently from the Future Shock, but I eventually traced it to the stack washers between the Headset part of the Future Shock, below the actual headstem. As there is no headset cap to tighten, and subsequently push the headstem down , the spacers may not be compressed, and rattle. When reinstalling the Future Shock, the spacers and headstem need to be on , and compressed down before tightening the Future Shock clamp screw.
But it’s the other problem you mentioned which has really been bugging me.
The Future Shock travel is a claimed 2 cm, but I have repeatedly had it reduce down to only 7mm after hitting a strong bump. What is happening is it compresses down, but won’t return. Observe the rubber boot, and it is obviously concertinad down. My local Bike shop claims it is the needle bearings, in the part of the shock that you’re not meant to access, that jam. Each time they open this section, reseat the bearings, and claim it’s fixed. As soon as I hit a bump it happens again. So I changed to the hard spring, yet again it happened. I got the shop to contact Specialized, who claimed the hard spring doesn’t let the Future Shock rebound fully
Well this made no sense at all, as the problem was there before putting in the harder spring, and more pointedly, if the Future Shock won’t work with the hard spring, why offer it at all !
As this travel problem was effectively occurring on any really bumpy ride, my bike mechanic told me the easy fix to reseat the stuck down bearings was to sharply smash the fork with the wheel in it downwards on to the ground.
This works - until the next sharp bump.
I too was thinking maybe I need a Diverge cartridge.
Now what puzzles me is why don’t other people have this problem with their Future Shock, or are they just unaware, that theirs is also compressed. I really only noticed it when I was proudly showing the front travel to a fellow rider at the cafe, when I saw how little travel I was getting . Compare yours to that of a new Roubaix in the shop.
Try taping a vertical strip to the headstem, with 2cm ( with .5cm increments) marked on it, then compress the handlebar down till it stops .
Now are you getting your 2cm of travel ?

This is the problem with adding unnecessary complexity to something that already works well for the sake of marketing and sales.

Really interested in Big Wally's future Shock post. I have a 2017 Roubaix Comp, ridden for about 1000 miles which has developed the same annoying knocking from the headset/stem. I have tried numerous ways to identify and cure the fault: removed the FS, adjusted the headset bearings, tightened the stem first to remove gaps between the spacers, fitted thin fibre washers below the stem to absorb play, re-torqued everything, all to no avail. That rattle persists. My experience would tell me that such noises are indicative of wasted energy and wear which in most mechanical systems leads to failure. My other bikes: all Specialized as it happens, all run smoothly and stealthy quiet. Bikes in this price range should not rattle! It would be reassuring if Specialized identified the problem and engineered a fix. Now that would be great customer service, or am I expecting too much from a global company?

I have the same problem with my 2017 ruby di2. Very little travel with future shock and have had cartridge replaced once already now the problem is back again. Also the headset is constantly coming loose, have had it tightened at least 5 times lately it’s after every ride pretty much. Also has strange noise when pedaling under load. Apparently this is because of the loose headset. The solution for the small travel of the future shock was to insert the stiffest spring to stop it from bottoming out, just ridiculous, why offer three spring types. Am going back to bike shop tomorrow and will ask for my money back. This bike is an expensive lemon!

You should use different search terms. There are a couple long-term Future Shock problem threads besides this one.

I checked back in w/LBS and sadly but predictably Spec has not followed through with any meaningful followup. The number of complaints are rising, at least within this thread. At another poster's suggestion I searched on additional terms in this forum but could find no more relevant threads other than the "FS needs to be serviced (replaced) at 500 hours" thread.
Common issues seem to be 1)knocking/rattling, 2)binding/restricted travel, and 3)loosening of the headset. I've experienced all 3, and regarding loosening it's been found to be loose all 5 times its been checked including one interval with only 5 miles pedaled when I had it checked by another shop. This may constitute a SAFETY RISK - and that can be a magic word for the corp's legal team to take notice - and ACT to minimize the corp's liability exposure.
The way product defects often play out is automatic denial that the problem exists, at least until a fix is identified and available to customers. I get the impression Spec is still in the denial phase.
I encourage everyone with this problem to work through their LBS and insist that Spec be notified of the problem and an official complaint case be established. It's squeaky wheels that get the grease and Spec won't be motivated to do anything until the squeaks are numerous enough to cause them discomfort - which usually means enough bad publicity to potentially decrease sales. And don't forget the magic words SAFETY ISSUE if it applies to your case.

Best post of the day...lol.
Reports are in. Future Shock reliability...noise...NFG.


Thanks to all the early adopters that did Specialized beta testing. Reminds me of carbon OSBB aka narrow PF30 Spesh sold on their flagship Sworks race bikes. Complete garbage.


Overreach happens. Hey, FS works...just for how long. How many replacement FS cartridges do you want to change in your lifetime if riding a lot? No FS bike for me. Love my Roubaix SL3 Pro tho. May have been the best Roubaix ever. More compliant than the SL4 and no shock to mess with.


New Trek Domane for those that want a compliant endurance bike...is looking better and better...except of course Trek's ubiquitously lousy BB90 with carbon bores for god's sakes. For those that don't know, carbon is about the worst bearing bore material you can have...only a notch above silly putty or play-doh in terms of propensity for bores to elongate which happens like clockwork on Trek's carbon frames.

I've got close to 670mi on my S-Works Roubaix and not a single issue with the FS. It was the major decision in purchasing the bike. A handful of complaints out of how many sold?

As with everything on typical forums, the complaints always outweigh the positive reviews.

A friend has a Diverge and rides much more than I do including gravel....no issues with FS there either.

I doubt the jury is in, yet.

Yeah, I was concerned at first with the negative comments. I'm just a bit skeptical regarding the validity of some of the complaints.

Even if there are a few bugs to work out with the Future Shock, I'd venture to say Specialized will get to the bottom of it quickly. I doubt anyone buying one has much to worry about.

You are right until you denied the jury is in. The jury is in. There are a subset of FS owners that have had problems...some repeated issues. There are many reasons. It can even relate to the rider himself...how they ride...how much weight on the handlebar....conditions including rain, dirt and salt. A bad batch of FS cartridges. How they were installed.


Definition of design robustness is...a design that endures the widest range of conditions. Riders aren't the same. Parts aren't the same. Conditions aren't the same.

FS issues are real. Too many reported to deny. Of course the negative is spoken about. Possible there are 20 good FS to 1 bad. Still accounts for too many issues over thousands of FS bikes sold.

I like the technology although I believe a spring without a damper is somewhat suspect but many that ride a FS Roubaix or Diverge on rough surfaces enjoy the experience. Others prefer the control of no steerer spring and wider tires inflated to a lower pressure. This is why some for example will prefer last year's Diverge to this year's Diverge or Roubaix. Ride quality can be tuned with tire width and pressure. Yes some give up on speed on the smooth flat but if truly smooth, don't need the wide tires or FS.

What matters is you are happy with what you have. But other data points should not be denied and they won't be. The FS is flawed mechanism with short life. If 500 hrs is to be believed for 500 hours of riding, this is a short life to dole out another $50-60...not to mention enduring untoward noises and/or binding along the way if unlucky to draw the short straw which some have.

Have you seen an official statement from Specialized on the 500 hour rumour? I haven't, and until then it's a rumour.

Your 20 to 1 number again is no more than your own SWAG for example. Maybe it's the LBS incorrectly installing or adjusting these? Too many variables and without true sales numbers......the jury isn't really in yet.

New technology and designs will always have its detractors.

Innovation helps everyone......but there will always be the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" response.

That's a month (or less) of cycling for many of us (not me now, but BITD it was). If it's not a wear component (chain, cassette, or tires) I generally expect a few years of heavy usage before a part needs replacing. 500 hours is like a year of heavy usage and, if true, is a very short lifespan for that cartridge.

Maybe it is a wear component, like a cassette? If its $50, is that too much for a wear item that makes that big an impact on ride quality?

I just bought it, and work takes priority. Right now its getting painted but it'll be used pretty heavy when I get it back. I average 270 a month depending on my travel schedule. FS is still "my" main reason for purchase, and as of "now", I would not have gone another route, even though it's still early.

As far as the 500 hrs.......where did that number come from, before its used to describe a lifespan?

There's lots of questions, all I'm saying is, let's not condemn the FS just yet.

Your comment innovation helps everybody is laughable. Ask Specialized who finally discontinued carbon OSBB which ruined the Sworks ownership experience for many. My background is design. As the Voice of the Industry, I have an obligation to set the record straight. FS has a problem. The severity of this can not go on unaddressed. This issue is as important as global warming. Denial doesn't resolve the issue.

Laughable in what way? Hasn't innovation changed the World since and including the Industrial Revolution?

Tubeless Tires are in innovation, so are LED's......what are you talking about? Isn't electronic shifting an innovation, how about 9, 10, 11 spd drivetrains?

Are you positive the FS issues aren't a single instance of manufactured defects in a small batch of FS assemblies?

Sounds like you have an axe to grind against Specialized.

For the record.....Global warning is a liberal religion.....that has nothing to do with this discussion.

For the record, I also want to add that I don't question your expertise......just that there isn't enough data to confirm that FS is a failure at this point.

Who's saying Future Shock is "innovative?" There is nothing new under the bicycling sun (well, except for electronic shifting and GPS cycling computers, but I digress). Behold, "Future Shock" . . .





It's been around for a long time, folks. And the old version didn't have to be rebuilt or replaced every 500 hours.

This iteration was waaaay cooler . . .





Could a Roubaix with a stick shift on the top tube be far away??? (I think not! But probably S-Works only for the first couple of years.)

Take an engineering course. What is innovation? Why isn't the design of the Model A still relevant? Wasn't the Model A innovative in its day? Why isn't a square taper BB still among the most popular BB's sold on top of the line race bikes? Because it is no longer relevant at the highest level. How about leather saddles?


Reality is, innovative products today become obsolete tomorrow because a better mousetrap comes along.


Countless innovations are relegated to the scrap heap due to a plethora of faults. The durability of FS has been called out because owners have weighed in. It won't last. The FS will be superseded as well....just like BB30 replaced carbon OSBB on Spesh's top Sworks race bikes.

No its a failure. A multiple of owners that own both a Roubaix and a computer have weighed in with issues. Think of all the non bike forum new Roubaix owners that have issues with FS where their voice isn't recorded.


Same as owners of press fit BB's that creak. Difference is, most can be tamed with Loctite. So far there aren't any solutions for FS.

What do call making the better mousetrap? Isn't that innovation? Everything evolves to improve.

Yes, but the FS has a higher failure rate compared to a conventional steerer on Roubaix and Diverge predecessors.
What you seem to miss is...no everything doesn't evolve to improve. Specialized carbon OSBB aka narrow PF30 that they sold as 'an upgrade' was the opposite. It was a failure that customers suffered with until Specialized discontinued it. Unless Spesh can add reliability to the FS, it will follow the same fate. Marketing aka perception can be used as a ploy to sell more bikes because of a 'change' which isn't necessarily better. Even if a FS is perceived to be an improvement which is debatable depending on bike usage...Tarmac doesn't have one...its reliability reduces it effectiveness.


I won't want FS even if I needed the compliancy which I don't. I would simply buy last year's Diverge and install 32mm tires with a lower psi if I needed the compliancy. When is more compliancy needed? On rough road when wider tires with larger footprint improve control. There is a reason why FS hasn't been brought to market sooner. It is a problem in search of a solution. Simply buy a Diverge without future shock and run wider tires at lower pressure. Then you have cake and eat it too.

I guess you see no good reason or need to go with Di2 or eTap either?

The good thing is you are free to buy or not buy the FS. I have zero problems with it so far on 2 bikes, and don't regret my choice to purchase it. I like the compliancy of it and find the ride much better for me, then just the tires alone would.

It keeps me on the bike longer and if it turns out to be a replaceable wear item, I'll be happy to drop $50 a year on it.