Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) will race on Specialized’s new S-Works Roubaix (SL4) at this Sunday’s Paris-RoubaixJames Huang/Future Publishing
The now even more curvaceous stays of the new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4)James Huang/Future Publishing
The seatstays now house bigger Zertz dampers that are mechanically preloaded against the surrounding structureJames Huang/Future Publishing
The new fork retains the current 1-1/8 to 1-3/8in tapered steerer diameterJames Huang/Future Publishing
The new fork features bigger pockets to house the giant Zertz dampersJames Huang/Future Publishing
Safety tabs are filed off of the fork tips on Tom Boonen’s (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4)James Huang/Future Publishing
The head tube sports a suble hourglass profileJames Huang/Future Publishing
The internally routed Gore Ride-On Professional System derailleur cables make a brief appearance at the bottom bracket shellJames Huang/Future Publishing
A close-up look at the asymmetrical chainstays on Omega Pharma-QuickStep’s new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4)James Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) would once only race Paris-Roubaix on traditional aluminum box-section tubular wheels but Zipp’s 303 rims have now proven themselves to be durable enough for the cobblesJames Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) will race the hell of the north on 27mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubularsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Omega Pharma-QuickStep had both 25mm and 27mm-wide FMB tubulars mounted atop the team car. Despite only 2mm in difference according to the label, they appeared very different in sizeJames Huang/Future Publishing
The top tube is again rather broad up front, partially wrapping the head tube to bolster front triangle torsional rigidityJames Huang/Future Publishing
Riders going through the full Specialized BG fit process will now be receiving these headset top caps. Needless to say, Tom Boonen’s (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) cap is a little more personalizedJames Huang/Future Publishing
Even with huge 27mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars fitted, there’s plenty of clearanceJames Huang/Future Publishing
SRAM’s stiffer TT-specific chainrings are installed on Tom Boonen’s (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4)James Huang/Future Publishing
Look KéO Blade pedals for Tom Boonen’s (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4)James Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen’s (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) new Specialized S-Works Roubaix (SL4) still uses the previous generation SRAM Red front derailleur (SRAM says the matching Specialized-specific chainrings aren’t finished yet), but the new chain keeper has been added onJames Huang/Future Publishing
Flatlander 53/46t chainrings for Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) in preparation for Paris-RoubaixJames Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) was the first rider on the team to receive SRAM’s revamped Red group, but several other teammates are now also equippedJames Huang/Future Publishing
Omega Pharma-QuickStep continue to use SRAM’s PG-1070 cassetteJames Huang/Future Publishing
Specialized look to be mounting Shimano’s Di2 battery beneath the bottom bracket on the upcoming new RoubaixJames Huang/Future Publishing
Specialized say Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) has already tested this novel suspension seatpost but decided to play it safe on race day. Specialized unofficially calls this the ‘COBL GOBL-R’James Huang/Future Publishing
Specialized cleverly tucked in an additional label on top of the seatpost that can only be seen with a cutout saddleJames Huang/Future Publishing
Just in case there’s a shot of a rider using a Specialized saddle, the company devised these little logos that clip on to the railsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Specialized director of advanced development Chris D’Aluisio rolled in with not only the new Roubaix but also a new set of Specialized Roval all-carbon road clinchersJames Huang/Future Publishing
The upcoming Specialized Roval all-carbon clincher road rim measures approximately 60mm deep and is “wider than usual”James Huang/Future Publishing
Omega Pharma-QuickStep riders get custom tweaked saddles from SpecializedJames Huang/Future Publishing
We spotted Quarq’s power meter option for Specialized FACT carbon crankarms on Specialized director of advanced development Chris D’Aluisio’s bikeJames Huang/Future Publishing
The UCI require that Specialized show Boonen’s new Roubaix SL4 to the press before he can race it, so on the eve of Paris-Roubaix they held an impromptu unveilingJames Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel and other members of Omega Pharma-QuickStep will tackle the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix aboard a new bike from team sponsors Specialized. The bike doesn’t officially have a name yet, but past convention tells us this will be the next-generation S-Works Roubaix SL4.
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Specialized wouldn’t divulge details of the new bike, as it’s still in the final stages of development. Per UCI rules, bikes not only have to meet the governing body’s testing process but they also “have to be presented to the media” so we were shown the new bike but weren’t given any details.
