Specialized Roubaix Elite: bike preview

All day long: the Roubaix has made its name as an endurance ride, but it reacts just as well to a short hard ride

Specialized is the world’s biggest bike brand. So when it comes up with something fresh everyone takes notice. The all-new Roubaix now has front suspension – almost unheard of on a serious road bike. It’s called Future Shock and, essentially, it’s a small piston built into the head tube which gives your handlebars up to 20mm of bounce. Already a reliably smooth endurance ride, this extra spring makes the Roubaix positively silky. Aching wrists and sore elbows are now a thing of the past. Developed with McLaren (of F1 fame), the new bike boasts a host of improvements which boost comfort and speed without making the frame unridably stiff. On top of that it has no-slither disc brakes and the go-to Shimano 105 gear set. And all for £2,100. This bike will be a game changer (evanscycles.com).

Price: £2,100
Frame: FACT 10r carbon with endurance
Weight: 8.75kg
Gears: Shimano 105 x 22 speed
Brakes: Tektro Spyre mechanical disc

Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @MartinLove166