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2012 Specialized

Roubaix SL3 Pro Compact

A carbon frame endurance bike with rim brakes.
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FrameCarbon
ForkCarbon
Wheels700c
BrakesRim
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Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Rider Position
relaxedaggressive
Roubaix SL3 Pro Compact
Other Endurance bikes
Reviews

Summary

The Specialized Roubaix is celebrated for its exceptional comfort and innovative design, making it a standout in the endurance category. Its smooth ride quality, advanced vibration dampening, and improved stiffness are frequently highlighted, alongside the benefits of disc brakes and carbon clinchers. However, some critiques include the finicky setup of hydraulic disc brakes and the incompatibility with legacy wheelsets.

Pros
  • Remarkable comfort and vibration dampening

  • Innovation in frame design and early adoption of discs

  • Smooth and quiet ride which dampened out all vibrations

  • Stiffer frame without sacrificing too much comfort

  • Option for Shimano Di2 electric shifting

Cons
  • Hydraulic disc brakes can be finicky to set up

  • Legacy wheelsets cannot be used

  • Non-traditional styling may not appeal to all

  • Slight feeling of imbalance between front and rear compliance on rough roads

Key Quotes
This Roubaix fit and felt like a race bike with the ride comfort of a mountain bike.
Cycling Tips logoCycling Tips
The damping was actually down to the shaping and layup of the carbon, and the Zertz just filled the space
road.cc logoroad.cc
Indeed, while riding, the 2011 bike is noticeable stiffer than its predecessor
VeloNews logoVeloNews

Feedback?

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road.cc
Retro Paris-Roubaix: check out the Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4 that Tom Boonen rode to victory in 2012

Apr 2025

Tornado Tom won Paris-Roubaix on this rim brake bike equipped with Zertz viscoelastic inserts that were said to damp vibration

Read Review

Cycling Tips
Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4 Disc Review

Oct 2013

If you followed Eurobike and Interbike last month you would have seen that all the major road bike brands are moving full steam ahead when it comes to disc brake models. In this piece we review the Specialized Roubaix S-Works Disc and put it through its paces. Specialized’s Roubaix S-Works is the bike Tom Boonen rode

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Velo
Pro bike gallery: Boonen’s new Specialized Roubaix

Apr 2012 · Nick Legan

Nick Legan details Tom Boonen's new Specialized Roubaix for the 2012 Paris-Roubaix

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VeloNews
2011 Specialized Roubaix: with or without battery

Jun 2010 · Lennard Zinn

Specialized kicked off its 2011 product presentation this weekend at Keystone Resort in Colorado.

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Cycling News
Specialized Roval Roubaix 322x | Cyclingnews.com

Jan 2009 · Cycling News

Old-yet-new-school wheelset

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Road Bike Action
First Impressions Of The 2009 Specialized Roubaix SL2

Oct 2008 · R BA

The slighter longer wheelbase and the frame's vertical compliance allow the rider to ease up on the brakes and let the bike carve its way down the hill.

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Geometry
Specs
Build
Stem

Specialized Pro-Set, 7075 3D forged alloy, cone head bolt and plastic clip, 12-degree, 4-degree shim, 31.8mm clamp

Pedals

Plastic, sealed loose ball bearings, w/ reflectors

Groupset
Crank

52/36

Brakes

Rim

TypeRim

Rider Notes
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First added July 9

Last updated July 9

Not listed for 2,521 days