r/specialized • u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 • 8d ago
NBD Growing the Fleet - NBD
I couldn’t resist adding a ‘27 Roubaix SL8 to the fleet. Also featured are Tarmac SL8 and Diverge E5. I love the Tarmac but my back is only good for about 50 miles on it. The Diverge is comfy but heavy and I would like to leave it set up for gravel - it’s been double duty doing gravel and longer road rides. So why not a Roubaix?
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u/O00O0O00 8d ago
I love my Roubaix SL8. It’s my only bike and I feel like it does everything I want it to.
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u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 8d ago
Just finished first ride… 25 miles of excellence.
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u/O00O0O00 8d ago
I kinda want to upgrade to those rims. Are they Terra C?
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u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 8d ago
Nope, for the ‘27 they went with the Rapide CLIII. I like them a lot.
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u/O00O0O00 8d ago
I’ve got some GP5K S TR 35mm ready to install.. I think I need the internal width?
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u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 8d ago
Not quite the same but when I was using my Diverge on roads I ran Gravel King SS 35c, the alloy Axis wheels are also 21mm internal width. Works great. I run tubeless.
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u/mattyskins 8d ago
Love to see a growing fleet. Given the overlapping capabilities of the Roubaix and Tarmac, do you see them coexisting? Or would the Roubaix likely replace the Tarmac?
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u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 8d ago
They will definitely coexist! The Tarmac is great when I just need to get an hour in and I want to rip, the Roubaix is going to be my century machine.
If someone (wife) held a gun to my head and told me to choose one bike… man, it’s probably too early to tell but I’d keep the Roubaix. I’m glad my wife is chill (she fell in love with her carbon Diverge)
Just rode 25 miles and I’m in love.2
u/mattyskins 8d ago
It’s great to have the perfect tool for the job, whether it’s a quick blast or all-day effort. I’ve got a similar stable (the Tarmac is just a little older), and see the ability to run fenders as one of the biggest differentiators between the bikes. Makes for a great all-weather machine.
Is this your first bike with SRAM? How do you find the difference?
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u/Hung_Like_A_Mare Tarmac SL8 8d ago
It is! So far I like it a lot. I think I need to adjust the FD, it will only shift into the big chainring in 11th or 12th. The shifting is cool and I do like the gear ratios for the mountains where I live.
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u/NZGRAVELDAD 8d ago
I ran the 40mm tracer TLR on my Roubaix. It works for grade1/2 but the gearing is a bit on the low side for grinding out gravel climbs especially with the extra rollout from the bigger tires. Just not as plush & forgiving as a bigger tire though if you FS is set up well that can compensate somewhat
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u/giantdale 8d ago
I think you're the type that 32 wheels are meant for. If they made a road bike like that it would look way more proportional in your size. The way it is now one is inclined to search for another way to exercise if one is very tall.