Beeline: The Specialized Roubaix SL8 is the first model in the Roubaix range, but is still a quality road bike with a carbon frame for lightweight and comfort, equipped with Shimano Tiagra 10-Speed groupset and hydraulic disc brakes.
Who is it for? The road rider looking for comfort as well as speed on their Sunday road rides. Specialized's endurance road geometry puts the rider 'in' the bike rather than 'on' the bike for a comfortable road bike.
What is Futureshock? Futureshock is Specialized suspension system featured on the Roubaix (and selected other Specialized models) which sits above the head tube to deliver a smoother, more comfortable ride without affecting the speed and responsiveness of the ride, although it does add a little bit of weight compared to a non Futureshock bike.
Roubaix Range: The Roubaix SL8 is the starting point in the range, the next model the Sport is equipped with Shimano 105 12-Speed, the Comp model features 105 Di2 (electronic) 12-Speed groupset, the Expert is equipped with Sram Rival eTap wireless groupset and the top of the range S-Works uses a higher grade carbon frame equipped with top of the range Sram Red eTap wireless groupset.
Specialized: We created the endurance road category two decades ago proving that high ergonomics means high performance. Today, the new Roubaix SL8 with Future Shock 3.0 is lighter, faster, and smoother than any road bike ever made, unleashing unmatched confidence. The road may be hell below, but on Roubaix, it’s always heaven above.
Compliance: Future Shock 3.0 is the star of the show, more tunable, adjustable, and durable than ever. Now, regardless of position on the bike, every rider experiences 20mm of smooth, stiction-free travel between the stem and head tube. Future Shock helps keep your hands and bars steady for a smoother ride with more control to stay fast, safe, and confident.
Our dropped clamp design exposes more seatpost to increase deflection, but “more” isn’t simply better. The Pavé seatpost controls that deflection for the optimal vertical compliance. Together they create AfterShock technology, and when paired with the Roubaix’s rigid rear triangle, deliver a smooth ride with no loss in efficiency.
The Roubaix SL8 is the smoothest road bike our Ride Science Team has ever tested—reducing impacts at the bars and saddle by 53% vs. the nearest competition. With Roubaix’s Future Shock 3.0 the wheel quickly moves over the bump, while rider mass remains stable, maintaining momentum in rough terrain. Typical forks deflect backward on impact, causing a measurable loss in speed. It’s a scientific fact, smoother is indeed faster.
Capability: The Roubaix pioneered endurance geometry, so you ride “IN” the bike, not “ON” the bike to relieve pressure on your hands, arms, and shoulders for capability and confidence on any road, yet it’s ready to dissect a mountain decent at full gas. Snuggle up.
With tire clearance up to 38c/40mm, this endurance road machine delivers better traction than ever on rough roads and even light gravel. Thanks to lightweight, super-efficient Specialized tires, that extra tire volume and traction comes with no downsides.
Roubaix inspires really BIG days on the bike, so we’ve given it every mount your adventures could need—three bottle mounts, top-tube mounts, and it’s even fender-ready. So, go ahead and bring it all along for the ride.
Performance: The new Roubaix SL8 is our most aero yet, with new aero shapes from our Free Foil library and dropped seat stays. At just 950 grams, the frame is lighter, utilizing lessons learned from the Aethos - the world’s lightest production frame - and Fact 10r carbon blend. Nothing in its class is faster or lighter than the Roubaix.