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We spotted Bora-Hansgrohe mechanics building Peter Sagan’s new Specialized Roubaix last weekend in Belgium. It features Specialized’s Future Shock head tube suspension system but ditches the stock bike’s disc brake design for direct-mount rim brakes. Sagan didn’t race it at Flanders but he’ll take advantage of the extra compliance over Roubaix’s harsh cobbles this Sunday.
Sagan’s custom S-Works Roubaix features Specialized’s Future Shock suspension head tube technology, providing suspension for bumpy cobbled roads. While the stock Roubaix suspension system is preset to 20 millimeters of vertical travel, we bet Sagan opted for a stiffer spring for a more traditional ride feel. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Specialized’s Future Shock technology basically acts as a piston in the head tube for around 20 millimeters of travel. Specialized claims the spring only compresses from vertical forces — like those felt from bumpy roads — and not the lateral forces from sprinting. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Disc brakes remain a touchy subject in pro cycling so Sagan opted for direct-mount rim brakes on his Roubaix. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Direct-mount rim brakes offer extra tire clearance to run bigger, beefy tires at Roubaix. They also leave more room for mud, although the forecast is for dry weather Sunday. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Designed for disc brakes, the Roubaix frame doesn’t include a seat stay bridge traditionally used for mounting and supporting a rim-brake caliper. To work around this, Specialized mounted the rear brake to the stays themselves. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Cobbles won’t slow the peloton much next Sunday. Although this bike has 53/39-tooth chainrings. It’s likely Sagan will opt for a larger little ring. Here we also see a 4iii power meter. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Specialized launched its new suspension frame design last year. Who else will race the Roubaix at its namesake race? Boonen? We’ll find out Sunday. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
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