Specialized Roubaix Sport

The Roubaix Sport hits a sweet spot balancing value and performance. Fitted out here with SKS clip-on mudguards it's ready for anything a British winter can throw at it, and easily switched into summer mode for some serious mile munching.

Future Shock suspension at the front gives 20mm of very useful travel, enabling Specialized to build a phenomenally stiff frame without giving a harsh ride.

There's nothing flashy about the Roubaix in Sport trim. 105 is a workhorse groupset, solid and reliable but not clunky. The DT Swiss wheelset isn't the lightest on the market, but it makes for a great year-round endurance/training wheel - and would be nicely complemented by an upgrade to something more blingy and carbon-rimmed for race/sportive use at a later date.

All in all a rounded, capable package with huge long-term value.

photos by Bence Bujaki