The Roubaix is possibly one of Specialized's most popular bikes. It has the carbon fiber and pizazz of a full-on race bike, along with the silk-road feel of a classic steel racer. The Roubaix was built for Europe’s cobblestone classics, offering a smooth ride over varying terrain.
When the Roubaix was first debuted in 2004, the design included a longer wheelbase, more stack, and less reach than the already popular Tarmac. Over time, the SL2, SL3, and SL4 models were added, all being lighter and including a disc brake option. In 2017, Specialized debuted the FutureShock, with 20mm of vertical damping. In 2020, they added extensive aero shaping and a seatpost junction, allowing rearward flex.
S-Works is what designates the pro-level carbon-fiber blend and build kit for the premier-level Roubaix. The S-Works Roubaix is what sponsored racers ride at the Paris-Roubaix, Ghent-Wevelgem, and de Ronde races. When Specialized releases a new iteration, all the changes filter down the line, so the 2019 Roubaix Pro, Elite, Comp, and Sport all have the same frame features.
Generally, all Specialized carbon-fiber frames in the same line share the same carbon-fiber blend, save the S-Works, which is usually a bit lighter. The Roubaix Comp shares a frameset with the other frames, the difference being the component spec. “Comp” refers to its affordable components, such as the Shimano Ultegra groupset.
The Roubaix Sport shares the same features as the S-Works version of the same Roubaix and has an entry-level component build that will save money and is light enough to get the job done.
