Can I use a Specialized Roubaix as a gravel bike?

[stringbean]

I might be a bit biased because I’m riding a diverge but must say that future shock is next level ,especially the top one that you can open or lock on the fly.

Gives more comfort than a epic front shock with a brain.I would definitely lean towards the diverge( even the cheaper one with future shock but ally wheels is brilliant.

You are going to be limited on the roubaix and unfortunately the re sale  value on the roubaix is TERRIBLE.No one wants them.

[Mark James]

23 hours ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

Where do you guys ride gravel?

Hey Paul. I normally ride from Boschenmeer to Specialised Paarl, then up to the start of Jan Phillips dirt road, then to the end of Jan Phillips which comes out on the main road in Paarl North, then back along the main road to Specialised. If I'm feeling "game', then I add a detour up to Paarl rock. The dirt roads are fine for a gravel bike, but I normally do it on my MTB. Feel free to DM if you want more info 👍

[Maniax]

i might be wrong, but Sagan is riding a Roubaix at the gravel worlds champs tomorrow.

[TVS Cycles]

On 6/12/2022 at 6:36 AM, Mark James said:

I ride a nicely spec'ed MTB, but am thinking of purchasing a road/gravel bike. The purpose of the road/gravel bike is to ride on rough roads (around Paarl), and occasionally on dirt roads or jeep tracks.

I was looking at either a new entry level Specialized Diverge Elite, or the other options was to buy a 2nd hand Specialized Roubaix (with Future shock 1.5) and converting it to a gravel bike by putting chunkier tyres on it. I figured that the Spez Roubaix has the future shock 1.5 for some added comfort, but was wondering if it could handle the occasional abuse of dirt roads... 

Does anyone have any similar experience using a Spez Roubaix as an occasional gravel bike, and fitting chunkier tyres on it? 
 

Personally I’ve done a 100Mile gravel ride (Race to the sun) on a Roubaix frame with gravel tyres - it wasn’t perfect but got me to the end with a 30kmph Ave.

Thanks 

Thomas 

TVS

[eala]

7 hours ago, stringbean said:

I might be a bit biased because I’m riding a diverge but must say that future shock is next level ,especially the top one that you can open or lock on the fly.

Gives more comfort than a epic front shock with a brain.I would definitely lean towards the diverge( even the cheaper one with future shock but ally wheels is brilliant.

You are going to be limited on the roubaix and unfortunately the re sale  value on the roubaix is TERRIBLE.No one wants them.

I wanted a bike that can ride on the shoulder and if i wanted to take a different route i will be able to .Gravel bikes without suspension is just a ridged hard-tail with a drop bar .i got hold of a 2020 roubaix in my size with Shimano Di2  ,alu rims and 32 gravelkings .It is a proper fast comfortable road bike .Taken of road i have to remind myself that i am not on a mtb and have to ride slower as the tires will not take the worst hits , but it can handle 80 % of really bad gravel road and 100% if you ride cautiously The future shock and flexible seat post work really well . A diverge will almost make a mtb obsolete

[eala]

1 hour ago, TVS Cycles said:

Personally I’ve done a 100Mile gravel ride (Race to the sun) on a Roubaix frame with gravel tyres - it wasn’t perfect but got me to the end with a 30kmph Ave.

Thanks 

Thomas 

TVS

Have you tried wider tires than 32 mm .I reckon 36 mm will work if you ride mostly dry gravel 

[Paul Ruinaard]

3 hours ago, Mark James said:

Hey Paul. I normally ride from Boschenmeer to Specialised Paarl, then up to the start of Jan Phillips dirt road, then to the end of Jan Phillips which comes out on the main road in Paarl North, then back along the main road to Specialised. If I'm feeling "game', then I add a detour up to Paarl rock. The dirt roads are fine for a gravel bike, but I normally do it on my MTB. Feel free to DM if you want more info 👍

Okay I am slow and fat and unfit but checking out local routes. Will check the routes I think the one you mentioned goes across the face of Paarl rock from monument side to Paarl north? Was up there on the motorcycle to try and see if you can get through. Do you need a pass? I am in VDV. Done some of the usual road rides to Franschoek. Keep smiling because it’s so pretty here. This morning’s ride next level 

[Mark James]

1 hour ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

Okay I am slow and fat and unfit but checking out local routes. Will check the routes I think the one you mentioned goes across the face of Paarl rock from monument side to Paarl north? Was up there on the motorcycle to try and see if you can get through. Do you need a pass? I am in VDV. Done some of the usual road rides to Franschoek. Keep smiling because it’s so pretty here. This morning’s ride next level 

Well, the above ride was part of my "baptism of fire" back-on-the-bike Spring ride this morning, and I was trying to keep up with my riding partner who was on an e-bike, so I'm feeling it now...

No pass needed, as Jan Phillips is a public road, which also means you share the road with some boytjies thinking they are practicing for the Paris-Dakar in their double cabs, but otherwise the road is mostly frequented by runners and riders on weekend mornings... The views over Paarl are spectacular, and smiles are guaranteed 😉 

[Mark James]

2 hours ago, eala said:

Have you tried wider tires than 32 mm .I reckon 36 mm will work if you ride mostly dry gravel 

Hmmmm... Also curious to know, as I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable on 32's on loose gravel roads

[Paul Ruinaard]

On 10/8/2022 at 6:28 PM, Mark James said:

Hmmmm... Also curious to know, as I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable on 32's on loose gravel roads

interesting to see world gravel champs bikes using road bike frames and gearing with 35 mm and smaller front tyres. Also 2 x front rings with 34 clusters at the back. Compact rings up front. 

[Shebeen]

this roubaix came 2nd

can find the Matt Beers Crux here

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/pro-bike/pro-bikes-2022-gravel-world-championships/?image=1&type=gallery&gallery=7&embedded_slideshow=7

[eala]

On 10/8/2022 at 3:47 PM, eala said:

Have you tried wider tires than 32 mm .I reckon 36 mm will work if you ride mostly dry gravel 

I have fitted 35mm gravelkings .That would be the max size .Dry conditions will be fine , muddy not 

[Sid the Sloth]

Anything can be a gravel bike if you’re brave enough. Check out the rig Matthys Beukes just used at Swartberg! 28c front and rear, rim brake, down tube shifters, steel. 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

1 hour ago, Sid the Sloth said:

Anything can be a gravel bike if you’re brave enough. Check out the rig Matthys Beukes just used at Swartberg! 28c front and rear, rim brake, down tube shifters, steel. 

And he came 10th overall

[Sid the Sloth]

4 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

And he came 10th overall

I’ll be honest, I’m gonna put that down to freakish genetics, that bike was a hand brake in comparison to a carbon gravel bike with generous climbing gears, in my opinion.  

[mecheng89]

13 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

And he came 10th overall

It's clear that it's not about the bike.