Thoughts on Specialized Roubaix future shock
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
I rented a 2018 Roubaix Comp back in spring of 2019, with FutureShock 1.0. All I have to say is... if you can get a good test ride on it, do it. At least that first gen FutureShock wasn't for me. Going up a 6% climb, the front bobbed whenever I got out of the saddle, which isn't an experience I was used to (or desired). I definitely wouldn't want that feeling going up a 10% grade.
FWIW, I do think my Conti UltraSport 28mm (real size: 32mm inflated) at ~80psi is a lot more comfortable than my GP5k 25mm (real size 26mm) at ~95psi. If the roads around here were worse, I wouldn't hesitate to drop that UltraSport down another 5-10psi.
FWIW, I do think my Conti UltraSport 28mm (real size: 32mm inflated) at ~80psi is a lot more comfortable than my GP5k 25mm (real size 26mm) at ~95psi. If the roads around here were worse, I wouldn't hesitate to drop that UltraSport down another 5-10psi.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
The Domane sounds very good actually. Still my reserve choice if I don't get on with the Roubaix. My Defy handles the rough pretty well too, but the front end is its limitation - the bars flex a little vertically downward (by design), but otherwise it is solid. The rear is much more compliant and doesn't need to be any softer than it already is. This is what first got me thinking about the Roubaix with its trick front end.
#28
Senior Member
This is exactly why I'm not going to order one blind. I want to give it a good test ride on some steep hills. I can fully imagine the FS 1.0 being a little crude, but I'm hopeful that the 2.0 with damping and lockout will solve these potential issues. Coming from a strong mtb background I'm used to climbing on trail bikes with anything up to 160 mm of front fork travel and that doesn't really phase me. So I'm not overly worried about this, but it had certainly crossed my mind.
Ok, end old person rant. Yeah, I remember bobbing up climbs on a mountain bike, but one of the fun things about switching to road was the feeling that every pedal stroke pushed you forward, rather than compressing suspension and tire knobs :-)
I hope you find the bike you're looking for, be it a Roubaix or something else.
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
160mm of travel? Why, I was riding trail bikes when the Rock Shot Judy was built with 80mm of travel! And hydraulic brakes meant getting rim brakes from Magura! Why, I remember when the Marzocchi Marathon debuted - air suspension like a SID, but wider stanchions (32mm?) like a Fox, with rebound lockout, to boot! Now get off my lawn!
Ok, end old person rant. Yeah, I remember bobbing up climbs on a mountain bike, but one of the fun things about switching to road was the feeling that every pedal stroke pushed you forward, rather than compressing suspension and tire knobs :-)
I hope you find the bike you're looking for, be it a Roubaix or something else.
Ok, end old person rant. Yeah, I remember bobbing up climbs on a mountain bike, but one of the fun things about switching to road was the feeling that every pedal stroke pushed you forward, rather than compressing suspension and tire knobs :-)
I hope you find the bike you're looking for, be it a Roubaix or something else.
My road bike history actually goes back some 45 years, but I switched exclusively to mtb riding around 20 years ago and then finally re-discovered road bikes only a couple of years ago. First thing I noticed was that current road bikes are a fair bit better than those of the mid-late 90s. Engineering is a very progressive field, even if some people like to think it peaked in 1986, or whatever year they lost their virginity
#30
Newbie
I just received my Specialized Roubaix (after an 8-month wait) with the FutureShock 1.5 stem. It was really worth waiting for. It soaks up the constant buzz from "grainy" pavement and softens the blows from small holes. Nothing will fully cushion the full blow of a pothole, nor should you expect it to, but the FS stem helps.
The closest I could come to trying one out was to ride a similar Spec bike with the FS stem in the wrong frame size for me, around a gritty parking lot. But even that little exposure convinced me to put in my order and wait (and wait, and wait).
During the wait, I bought and installed on my old bike the RedShift ShockStop, noted in an earlier post above. I will unhesitatingly recommend it. It works really well and is very viable option. My old bike is a Spec Roubaix from 2005 (yes, 2005) and the upgrades in ride and handling over the last 15 years are obvious - as well as the blessed FS 1.5 stem.
During my 8-month wait, I had opportunities to buy comparable bikes in my frame size - Trek Domane, BMC and one other maker - but I held out for the Spec because of the FS stem. I'm glad I did, and in the meantime, the RedShift ShockStop did a very decent job.
=K
The closest I could come to trying one out was to ride a similar Spec bike with the FS stem in the wrong frame size for me, around a gritty parking lot. But even that little exposure convinced me to put in my order and wait (and wait, and wait).
During the wait, I bought and installed on my old bike the RedShift ShockStop, noted in an earlier post above. I will unhesitatingly recommend it. It works really well and is very viable option. My old bike is a Spec Roubaix from 2005 (yes, 2005) and the upgrades in ride and handling over the last 15 years are obvious - as well as the blessed FS 1.5 stem.
During my 8-month wait, I had opportunities to buy comparable bikes in my frame size - Trek Domane, BMC and one other maker - but I held out for the Spec because of the FS stem. I'm glad I did, and in the meantime, the RedShift ShockStop did a very decent job.
=K
Likes For KiwiDallas:
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
The Domane sounds very good actually. Still my reserve choice if I don't get on with the Roubaix. My Defy handles the rough pretty well too, but the front end is its limitation - the bars flex a little vertically downward (by design), but otherwise it is solid. The rear is much more compliant and doesn't need to be any softer than it already is. This is what first got me thinking about the Roubaix with its trick front end.
#32
Canadian eh?
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,135
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
54 Posts
I just got a 2020 Roubaix Expert. Loving the FS2.0 so far. It definitely makes a difference vs. my previous two bikes that had no such comfort types of systems (despite specs saying the frames were "comfort tuned").
Likes For WorldIRC:
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
I'm sure that there's no wrong choice between the Domane and the Roubaix - just different approaches that'll appeal to different people. I was more addressing the notion that larger volume tires would provide a smoother ride than something like the FS on the Roubaix or the front IsoSpeed on the Domane; IME, the front IsoSpeed took the edge off of jarring potholes/cracks/seams way better than a gravel tire on the front at ~35psi.
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
I just received my Specialized Roubaix (after an 8-month wait) with the FutureShock 1.5 stem. It was really worth waiting for. It soaks up the constant buzz from "grainy" pavement and softens the blows from small holes. Nothing will fully cushion the full blow of a pothole, nor should you expect it to, but the FS stem helps.
The closest I could come to trying one out was to ride a similar Spec bike with the FS stem in the wrong frame size for me, around a gritty parking lot. But even that little exposure convinced me to put in my order and wait (and wait, and wait).
During the wait, I bought and installed on my old bike the RedShift ShockStop, noted in an earlier post above. I will unhesitatingly recommend it. It works really well and is very viable option. My old bike is a Spec Roubaix from 2005 (yes, 2005) and the upgrades in ride and handling over the last 15 years are obvious - as well as the blessed FS 1.5 stem.
During my 8-month wait, I had opportunities to buy comparable bikes in my frame size - Trek Domane, BMC and one other maker - but I held out for the Spec because of the FS stem. I'm glad I did, and in the meantime, the RedShift ShockStop did a very decent job.
=K
The closest I could come to trying one out was to ride a similar Spec bike with the FS stem in the wrong frame size for me, around a gritty parking lot. But even that little exposure convinced me to put in my order and wait (and wait, and wait).
During the wait, I bought and installed on my old bike the RedShift ShockStop, noted in an earlier post above. I will unhesitatingly recommend it. It works really well and is very viable option. My old bike is a Spec Roubaix from 2005 (yes, 2005) and the upgrades in ride and handling over the last 15 years are obvious - as well as the blessed FS 1.5 stem.
During my 8-month wait, I had opportunities to buy comparable bikes in my frame size - Trek Domane, BMC and one other maker - but I held out for the Spec because of the FS stem. I'm glad I did, and in the meantime, the RedShift ShockStop did a very decent job.
=K
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,659
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1248 Post(s)
Liked 1,323 Times
in
674 Posts
I can vouch for the Future Shock and have two bikes with it, an 2018 S Works Roubaix and a 2020 Diverge Comp. The 2.0 version is a solid improvement and I upgraded my Roubaix with one. I also upgraded the seatpost from the Pave version to the new Terra Post and they are comparable however the new post is much better looking IMO. No regrets.
Likes For Atlas Shrugged:
#36
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
I can vouch for the Future Shock and have two bikes with it, an 2018 S Works Roubaix and a 2020 Diverge Comp. The 2.0 version is a solid improvement and I upgraded my Roubaix with one. I also upgraded the seatpost from the Pave version to the new Terra Post and they are comparable however the new post is much better looking IMO. No regrets.
#37
Full Member
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s-...=271280-172404
The current Pave seatpost (D-shaped profile) and Terra Post (round profile) are not interchangeable.
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
Thanks. So I expect they will stick with the D-shaped Pave then. I agree the older Roubaix post was ugly.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 549
Bikes: Focus Arriba, Specialized Roubaix Expert, Bianchi Impulso Allroad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times
in
53 Posts
On the rough pavement around here, that is gold. I put one on my aluminum Gravel Bike and love it there also.
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
You are missing out on the comfort offered by the CG-R seatpost. It may look weird, or ugly, but combined with the lower seatpost clamp it works great to absorb the road shock at the rear-- and it perfectly compliments the compliance of the FS up front.
On the rough pavement around here, that is gold. I put one on my aluminum Gravel Bike and love it there also.
On the rough pavement around here, that is gold. I put one on my aluminum Gravel Bike and love it there also.
#41
Canadian eh?
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,135
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
54 Posts
My only "issue" with the Pave seatpost is there is no seat-clamp available for a 7x10 carbon rail. This limits the options greatly!
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
Good to know thanks. I'm okay with that limitation though. My current bike has a D-shaped post and it works really well in flexing to absorb hits. If the Pave works the same I will be happy.
#43
Full Member
Edit: it comes with clamps for 7x7 standard rails and 7x9 carbon rails, but there indeed are no clamps for 7x10 rails.
Last edited by Kabuto; 06-03-21 at 06:17 AM.
#44
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts
#45
Canadian eh?
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,135
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
54 Posts
Should I have gotten the 7x9 clamp with my Roubaix? I didn't.
#46
Full Member
#47
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,450
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4415 Post(s)
Liked 4,867 Times
in
3,012 Posts