If you’re out to set quicker times on your favourite road routes, then keep reading – it’s the arrival of the new Specialized Roubaix SL8. 

Designed for ‘unleashing unmatched confidence’, the new SL8 is designed to be smoother, faster and even lighter than before while remaining comfortable enough for those super-long days in the saddle. 

It’s kitted out with the latest incarnation of Specialized’s Future Shock system, which sits inbetween the stem and head tube to help reduce impacts and vibration. Specialized says that the force reduction is up to 53 per cent better than rival bikes across ‘typically experienced’ road impacts. 

Changes to the Future Shock system mean that it can now be tweaked so that all riders can get plenty of shock absorption. Instead of deflecting backwards, the Future Shock moves upwards to make things silky smooth. Three different springs are available with it – firm, medium and soft – so you can change it depending on the type of riding you’re doing. Specialized says that the process takes just minutes, too. 

It’s all coupled with a Pavei seatpost which helps to absorb even more bumps by using a carbon ‘layup’. A dropped clamp design also helps to create a longer ‘lever’. In all, you’re meant to be getting a super refined ride as a result. 

The whole frame has been reprofiled to make it even more aero, with Specialized stating that over a 100-mile ride – at three watts/kg of rider power – it makes the Roubaix 17.7 seconds faster. It’s 50 grams lighter than the older model, too, while complex carbon fibre is used on the seat cluster and around the bottom bracket to take the weight-shedding process further. 

The Roubaix SL8 line-up will start from £2,500 base, rising to £12,000 for the full-whack S-Works. We’re looking forward to trying it out when it hits the roads here.