January Build of the Month - S-Works Roubaix

PeterD — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:51:00 +0000

Before you ask – Yes, Passion does do bikes with drop bars and skinny tires…

On to the bike… This is likely to be the least custom, or should I say, most stock equipped Build Of the Month in some time. This Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL SRAM is the top of a very fine line of performance road bikes, and left little room for upgrading. The adjustable Barmac, range of sizes and long rails on the Body Geometry saddle, and uncut fork steerer negated any need to change out components to get the ideal fit for this rider.

There was more to it than just bolting on a set of pedals and airing up the tires, though. Special care was taken in prepping carbon areas to clamp other carbon components, and chasing after everything after that with a torque wrench. Spoke tension was also fine tuned on the Roval wheels.

This was our first experience with the new SRAM Force road group, which was surprisingly straightforward to set up and get dialed. This bike repeatedly delivered crisp, positive shifts on multiple test rides, and continues to do so in the new owner’s hands.

The Barmac Wedge was an interesting challenge to set up, and offers a great deal of fit options when combined with moving the levers slightly up and down the bar to arrange a comfortable hand perch in addition to ergonomic angle. The Barmac’s integrated carbon stem uses a system of interchangeable wedges to adjust the stem and bar angle upwards, or down, in 2 degree increments.

This one came in the Gerolsteiner team light blue with matching graphics and is much like the Pro’s bikes currently being raced in France.

The whole package weighs just a touch over 16 pounds (no, that is not a typo) and rides like a dream.

Highlights from the Build List
FRAME	S-Works FACT 10r carbon, Az1 construction, compact race design, Zertz inserts
FORK	S-Works FACT monocoque carbon fork; full carbon legs, crown and steerer w/ Zertz inserts
HEADSET	S-Works Mindset, 1 1/8” integrated threadless, sealed cartridge ceramic bearings w/ stainless steel races, carbon 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm carbon spacers
BAR & STEM	S-Works Barmac Wedge, carbon bar/stem combo, superlight integrated carbon design, adjustable stem angle
TAPE / GRIPS	Body Geometry Bar Phat, Soft-Touch cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
BRAKES	SRAM Force w/ Roval carbon pads
BRAKE LEVERS	SRAM Force, 10-speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR	SRAM Force, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR	SRAM Force, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS	SRAM Force, 10-speed
CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL	Shimano Dura-Ace, 12-27t
CHAIN	SRAM Force, 1090R
CRANKSET	S-Works FACT carbon crankset, integrated oversize design
CHAINRINGS	50×34T
BOTTOM BRACKET	S-Works, oversized integrated bottom bracket
RIMS	Roval Classique Rapide Carbon, mid-section full FACT carbon clincher rim
FRONT HUB	Roval Classique Rapide, 20 hole, forged alloy body, adjustable sealed cartridge bearings, Roval QR
REAR HUB	Roval Classique Rapide, 24 hole, forged alloy body, adjustable sealed cartridge bearings, alloy cassette body, Roval QR
SPOKES	DT stainless 14/15g butted aero, hidden nipples
TIRES	S-Works Roubaix, 700×23/25c, open tubular construction, dual-compound tread, aramid bead, 290TPI
SADDLE	Body Geometry ToupÃ© Gel, superlight foam, carbon reinforced base, hollow Ti rails, microfiber cover
SEAT POST	S-Works SL, FACT carbon w/ Zertz insert, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER	S-Works CNC’d alloy binder

More photos:

Passion Trail Bikes, Belmont, CA - specialists in quality bike service and custom-built mountain bikes: January Build of the Month - S-Works Roubaix

January Build of the Month - S-Works Roubaix