Specialized Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact Road Bike 2014

Specialized Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact Road Bike 2014

The word ‘Roubaix’ conjures up images of rough terrain, long, hard miles and abysmal weather conditions, where only the toughest riders and bikes can survive. The Roubaix range was developed for professional cyclist Tom Boonen, holding the most victories for the Hell of the North, Paris Roubaix race, with four. Boonen required a bike that could soak up the cobbles, be comfortable over 260 kilometres, respond rapidly to sharp accelerations and be strong enough for a six hour pounding on one of the world’s toughest races. Specialized were so pleased with what they produced they decided to offer it to the masses, here with the Specialized Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact Road Bike, fast, comfortable and ready for whatever you throw at it.

SL4 FACT 8r carbon has been used in the frame construction to make a frame incredibly stiff yet also dampens the road buzz. This extra rigidity is transferred into increased power transfer, a better handling and sharper ride. The headtube, slightly taller than an outright race bike, improves long distance comfort, as does the FACT full carbon fork. Giving the rider a good balance between a comfortable and aggressive ride.

Endurance Road Geometry sets this bike apart from the rest of Specialized’s road bike range. Giving a more relaxed position, ideal for epic 100 mile sportives but still feeling direct and lively enough if you want to sprint over a climb or push it hard round a hairpin corner.

A bike for Paris Roubaix needs to be reliable and strong, that is exactly what Specialized have considered when designing the Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact, using tough, fast rolling and puncture resistant Espoir Elite 25c tyres. They feature the renowned BlackBelt Puncture Protection technology, minimising punctures. Hours hammering over the cobbles is hard on the hands and even if you are not planning on a cobbled adventure, Roubaix tape with 2.5 gel pads will keep your hands in the best condition holding the bars, reducing blisters and reducing road buzz.

Specialized’s fantastic Zertz system dampens rough roads and is used in the seatstays and fork, giving a smooth ride, the same shock absorption technology used on Boonen’s race bike.

Major development has been invested in the new OSBB bottom bracket, one-piece shell. Stiffer than ever before, combined with a reliable, stylish FSA Gossamer BB30 crank, that does not just look good but also gives a direct and uncompromised power delivery straight through the pedals onto the road. No watts will be wasted with this frame. This is the same one-piece shell that is used in the sensational, top of the range, S-Works bikes.

Tough, bullet proof, light and responsive DT Swiss Axis 2.0 wheels have been added, they look great and are more than capable of battling along the Belgian flatlands or climbing a mountain in Spain.

The riders at Omega Pharma Quickstep Professional Cycling Team rave about their Specialized Body Geometry designed saddles and if riders that clock up over 25,000 miles a year on the bike are impressed, we are sure you will be too. The Romin Comp Gel Saddle graces this bike, lightweight and durable with Cr-Mo Rails.

Groupset is provided by Shimano and is a mixture of mid range 105, Tiagra and Axis brakes. This results in pin sharp shifting and a smooth reliable ride. We know the Specialized Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact is versatile and they have made it even more so with the addition of compact chainrings. A 50/34 ratio is perfect for the flat and gives you plenty of options once you hit the hills, the ideal balance for those doing hilly sportives and for riders that like to keep a high cadence. Never will you run out of gears again.

Finishing kit comes straight from Specialized, with a stiff and durable Comp handlebar and stem, both lightweight aluminium and shaped perfectly for an ergonomic ride. Keeping weight down and further contributing to it’s silky smooth ride, a Specialized Comp carbon seatpost gives the rider an armchair ride, however rough the road is.

A fantastic sportive, endurance bike, with numerous racing victories to it’s name as well as professional rider input running through it’s tubes. This results in it being one of the most capable road bikes on the market. Available in a range of sizes and a stunning colour scheme.

Key Features

• FACT 8r carbon frame with Endurance Geometry ideal for sportives, racing and long rides
• Zertz inserts in seatstays and forks, reducing road buzz
• Specialized Espoir Elite 25c tyres with BlackBelt Protection for a fast and durable ride
• Specialized Roubaix tape with 2.5 gel pads, providing a comfortable grip
• Specialized Romin Comp Gel Saddle featuring Body Geometry technology for all day riding comfort
• FSA Gossamer BB30 crankset, features compact chainrings and provides reliable performance
• A mixture of Shimano 105 and Tiagra components offering high performance shifting