I mean if the intent is to use it for gravel racing 40mm is really the minimum. Should be able to fit 45+ at least. I can’t think of a gravel race that I have done where it would have been faster to run <40mm.
I remember starting out with 38s. Then moved to 40s. Then got some pathfinder pro 42s and now just upgraded to pathfinder pro 47s. I have a lauf Seigla so plenty of clearance. I contemplated getting Vittoria mezcals 29 x 2.1 but knew I would like the pathfinders.
I certainly get people wanting a faster tire for racing but I want comfortable big tires for my day to day riding. Not that it matter particularly to me but I think Dylan Johnson said he’s running pathfinder 47s now.
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100% agree with this.
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I had the previous Roubaix which is pretty much the same as this one, and holy moly was it a perfect bike for 5-7 hours rides in the mountains with semi good roads etc.
I’ve had the latest Venge, new SuperSix Evo, Aethos and now “back” on SL7.
If I were to have 3-4 bikes, the Roubaix would be the all weather training bike with 32mm GP5000 AS.
Or if I didn’t care much about speed, but only did long ass rides, I would get it as well as my only bike. I think one issue is also that a lot of people should be getting the Roubaix, but its marketing and name puts them off. It’s a perfect endurance bike!
And in regards to the clamp, there is an inbuilt extender, so you can use whatever tool for the seat post.
It’s a shame that the bike is too overlapping the other models, because it just disappears…
They should have:
SL8 - Race
Aethos - Endurance
Diverge STR - Adventure
Crux - CX
As their only lineup…
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I have a CG-R seatpost, which is flexible, and I would say I don’t care for that suspension method. It feels weird having the post flex backwards. Definitely try it before you buy … I prefer my butt taking the beating over the vagueness of the CG-R seat post
Thanks for this. I didn’t realize it came with a bag that you could stuff so things wouldn’t rattle. All these years I’ve pictured a big empty space with levers, co2, chuck, and multi tool bouncing around in it like a lunchbox on a bumpy road.
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With all these Specialized bikes overlapping it annoys me even more that none of them come with pannier rack mounts, using a Norco Search XR right now for commuting, gravel, CX and winter road riding. Its really slim pickings to find carbon framed gravel/CX bike with pannier mounts. I’ve heard a few suggesting that Specialized is working on an aero gravel bike to compete with the Factor Ostro gravel, I can see that happening but would rather see further development in the drop bar MTB space.
As far as the 40mm tire clearance I think thats just to compete with the Domane on paper, on gravel wheels a 40mm will in most cases exceed 40mm. I think the previous maxed at 32mm officially so this just gives room for maybe a 34-36 on wide rims, maybe a 32-34 with fenders, which is not enough for gravel but I think sufficient for all-road type riding.
I do like that they added fender mounts though.
Price. There are far more budget friendly Diverge models
I wish my factor ostro or the ridley kanzo or the aspero came with the down tube storage. Its by far the best place to store stuff.
I cant seem to understand why everyone is saying 40mm tires are small - maybe in your area it is but thats not the case for all areas.
If you are Racing in Michigan, Illinois or Indiana chances are 40mm is all you need. I did BWR NC on 40mm and never found myself desiring more.
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Not to mention the major fact that this isn’t a gravel bike. They have the Diverge and Crux. This bike seems to fit the perfect spot as an all-road racer. BWR actually feels exactly what this bike would be perfect for. It sounds like the Diverge fits a lot of people’s needs as a gravel racer. This isn’t trying to take that spot.
I actually like it. Lighter and more aero than previous. Exposed cables to make working on the bike easier and opens up lots of options for flying with bike bags. 40mm tires covers 90% of the terrain most people ride.
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This isn’t a gravel bike.
Again, I don’t get why you’re trying to make this a gravel bike. And on mixed terrain like this bike is marketed for, something like a 32 or 35 GP5k is going to be faster than any 40+ mm gravel tire. Wider is not always faster. Especially on tarmac roads.
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Thanks for that. 
I totally forgot about the tall screw. Thats why i get for only working on one since that prior one was introduced.
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I wonder how it would do with CX races. Could possibly be a do-it-all bike. A local guy races cross on the new Allez Sprint. The BB height may be an issue but for a couple of races for fun, maybe it fits.
Exactly.
Tarmac = high features, racer fit over comfort
Aethos = low features, semi- race/comfort
Crux = racier Tarmac / Aethos fit. Lightness over ride and features. Seat tube comprises ride quality for CX use.
Diverge = long rides on or off road.
Roubaix = high features over weight. Comfortable fit and ride.
Any argument that this is for cobble racing is moot because they’ve to make a special longer, lower frame that can take 54t+ chainring; this can only do 50t even spaced out.
The Roubaix is there to sell bikes to people who want a “road” bike and are sold on the Tarmac, but don’t want to hurt. They are sold on features. Specialized is probably thinking they’ve bought a Roubaix before - this isn’t their first Roubaix. I’ve got a feeling their sales dropped off sharply here with the FutureShock (which works great), so I’m wondering why they stick with it (other than it makes for a better product).
Anyway, it’s a fine fine bike if it’s what you’re shopping for or into. I think we’re just looking at the lineup as a whole (and why you just wouldn’t buy a Diverge and put road tires on it), wondering why they left off a key feature.
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The only person in the pro peloton, AFAIK, that was still using the Roubaix (for said named event) was Sagan. Seeing as how he is moving on to MTB next year, I don’t think this is a concern for Specialized.
In general, I think suppliers will do well to stop thinking about whether every bike will be used in the pro peloton. Most consumers are oblivious to this……design bikes for a specific purpose and don’t worry about UCI design requirements.
Specialized did this with great success for the Aethos and, IMO, they could do the same with a new Venge. Go all-out aero and don’t worry if a pro team uses it. The aero geeks will buy it regardless, just like the weight weenies did with the Aethos.
I think for the majority of people looking for a endurance / all-road type bike, a 50/34 is sufficient. Some will want a 52/36 certainly, but for most use cases, the 50/34 should work.
I assume the gearing limit was a tradeoff for other concerns, likely tire clearance.
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Please correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t all Pro Sram sponsored teams running a 50/34 - 10/28 on their road bikes?
I have no idea, but if so… keep in mind that is a 50/34 with that SRAM AXS cassette. I’d wager that most discussing this gearing are thinking of “the good ol’ days” where a 50/34 crank went with an 11-28 cassette like Shimano still offers and SRAM used to before all the AXS and new gearing they now make standard.
In the case of a few SL8’s I checked:
- Shimano are 50/34 + 11-36 (Comp & Sport).
- SRAM 2x are 46/33 + 10-36 (Pro) or 10-33 (S-Works).
- Different path to a similar but still different range.
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Thanks Chad!
I guess I was just stabbing in the air saying that if the current WT pros are using a 50/34 - 10-28 than the enthusiast will be fine with a max gear choice of a 50T.
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