Specialized Roubaix Sport Compact 2013 Road Bike-named after the gruelling Paris-Roubaix race it has won three consecutive times-is a high-performance, endurance-focused bike that’s highly stable and efficient. The smoother, faster Roubaix Sport
Equipment:
The verbal description is wherever specialised are clever. The drivetrain, for example, contains one zero five shifters and mechs however drops the chainset right down to Tiagra, as is that the case with the brakes. each aren’t quite nearly as good as their costlier one zero five cousins, however solely within the weight stakes – performance-wise you’d be arduous pushed to inform the distinction. Shifting remains Shimano sleek, and also the braking has ample power and a good feel.
Specialized have partnered with DT Swiss for wheels in 2013, and also the Axis one.0 may be a well-favored set of hoops. straightforward cup and cone hubs run swimmingly and area unit straightforward to take care of. the strain within the wheels is sweet instead of exceptional, and that we may induce a trifle brake rub once sprinting arduous, however the slim-profile rims and quality spokes facilitate boost the graceful ride.
We were stunned that specialised have chosen the 23c version of the competent, puncture resistant Espoir tyre, though. The Roubaix is associate absolute endurance bike, thus we’d choose to see some supple 25s fitted as normal.
Ride and Handling:
Get on board the Roubaix and it’s as acquainted currently because it was radical once it initial arrived. The debut model modified the sport for comfort-oriented road bikes. Its combination of racy light-weight weight, tall head tube, long distance and short high tube disturbed the hardcore sprint brigades, and United States to some extent too. it had been only if you bought out for a seriously long ride that it began to add up. an equivalent is true nowadays.
We tested the Roubaix in a number of the year’s most inhospitable riding conditions – torrential downpours, flooded roads and cold temperatures, and chiefly on our own. nonetheless its super-smooth ride was simply wherever we tend to needed to be.
The short, compact riding position is ideal for pounding on the pedals if you’re not worrying regarding riding chop-chop, simply going for extended and longer while not obtaining uncomfortable or caring regarding the bike’s reactions.
The Roubaix isn’t sluggish, by any suggests that, however ride it back to back with a race bike and also the variations area unit dominant – it’s stable instead of flighty, compliant instead of stiff, and back-geared to hide the bottom instead of shoot across it.
By combining a 50/34 compact with Shimano’s new 11-30T Tiagra container, specialised have created a motorbike that’s biased towards cruising. however with a 34/30 bottom gear you’re ne’er planning to be caught out by a climb, despite however steep the gradient becomes.
If we tend to took a flash and thought of the best bike for riders UN agency area unit up however aren’t curious about athletics, simply covering a lot of and a lot of miles, the Roubaix is wherever we’d arrive. If that’s you and your sort of riding then this bike might be simply the discount you’ve been searching for.
Specs Roubaix Sport :
Frame:
Size-specific engineered FACT Carbon frame with, threaded BB, Zertz and tapered head tube
Fork:
Specialized FACT full carbon monocoque fork with Zertz inserts
Front Derailleur:
Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano 105
Number of Gears:
20
Shifters:
Shimano 105 STI
Chainset:
Shimano Tiagra Compact
Chainrings:
50/34
Bottom Bracket:
Shimano, outboard cartridge bearing, 68mm
Cassette:
Shimano Tiagra 10 speed
Chain:
KMC X10 CP
Pedals:
Nylon flat test ride, loose-ball, w/ reflectors
Front Brake:
Shimano Tiagra
Rear Brake:
Shimano Tiagra
Handlebars:
Specialized Comp alloy
Stem:
Adjustable four-position oversized alloy stem with 31.8mm bar clamp
Grips:
Non-slip Roubaix tape
Rims:
DT Axis 1.0 Wheelset
Front Tyre:
Specialized Espoir Sport 23c tyres with BlackBelt puncture protection
Rear Tyre:
Specialized Espoir Sport 23c tyres with BlackBelt puncture protection
Saddle:
BG Toupe RBX Sport saddle with steel rails
Seatpost:
Specialized Comp FACT carbon
Image Credit © Specialized
