The patent shows a frame without the lower section of the seat tube.<\/p>\n
Instead, what Specialized calls a \u2018strut\u2019 intersects the down tube, connecting the seatstay junction to a point around two thirds of the way down the down tube.<\/p>\n
The patent claims this design could increase compliance by \u201cadvantageously reducing the vertical stiffness of the bicycle while maintaining or reducing to a lesser extent the horizontal (e.g. lateral and\/or torsional) stiffness of the bicycle while increasing the comfort for the rider\u201d.<\/p>\n
Specialized is no stranger to introducing innovative designs. The 2017 Roubaix <\/a>was a notable departure from the-then endurance bike<\/a> convention with its Future Shock. The Venge ViAS<\/a> was also a futuristic aero road bike<\/a> ahead of its time.<\/p>\n More recently, the Diverge STR<\/a> shook the gravel bikes<\/a> genre with its Future Shock Rear suspension system.<\/p>\n First spotted by Cyclingnews<\/a>, the frame shown in the patent clearly portrays a drop-bar bike. But exactly what it could be is unclear.<\/p>\n To start, the frame doesn\u2019t appear to be aerodynamically optimised, which means it\u2019s unlikely to be a new Tarmac, Venge or Shiv.<\/p>\n The Aethos<\/a> is Specialized\u2019s lightweight bike with traditional tube shapes. Given areas of the frame will need to be reinforced to support the \u2018strut\u2019 and rider \u2013 thus, increasing weight \u2013 we also reckon it\u2019s unlikely this will be a new Aethos.<\/p>\n This leaves the Roubaix and Diverge as the two bikes most likely to adopt this design.<\/p>\n However, with the Diverge STR new on the market, the Roubaix seems the more likely fit. After all, Specialized hasn\u2019t updated its endurance road bike since 2020.<\/p>\n The tube shapes, particularly the hourglass-like head tube and sculpted top tube, resemble the current Roubaix\u2019s frame design.<\/p>\n The illustration shows a seatpost opening that looks similar in profile to the Pave SL post found on the current model, too.<\/p>\n However, there are several red flags that muddy this theory\u2026<\/p>\n Critically, the lack of a seat tube means the bike wouldn\u2019t be able to accept a front derailleur<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1x drivetrains<\/a> are yet to take off for road riding and Specialized would create a sizeable controversy if users had to ditch the front derailleur.<\/p>\n Specialized could partner with Classified to offer \u20182x\u2019 gearing.<\/p>\n Classified Powershift is a two-speed gear system housed in the rear hub, effectively replacing a front derailleur. While an increasing number of brands are starting to partner with Classified, Specialized has always been a brand to do things on its own terms.<\/p>\n It also feels unlikely the brand would tie the success of a model on a third-party partner.<\/p>\n The frame also has a number of accessory mounting points, with the main triangle looking like accepting two bottle cage mounts. There also appears to be a third bottle cage mount under the down tube, as well as mounting for a bento box on the top tube.<\/p>\n This is rather a lot of bottle cage real estate for an endurance road bike. That said, the recently launched Trek Domane<\/a> has a similar mounting-point arrangement.<\/p>\n Of course, it could be a new Roubaix heads in a more all-road<\/a> direction, with a slightly wider tyre clearance and light off-road focus.<\/p>\nIs this the new Roubaix?<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/Specialized-patent-20230034772-1-ef30219.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Let\u2019s not jump to conclusions<\/h2>\n
A 1x Roubaix is unlikely<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Do we need an all-road Roubaix?<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>When will this bike see the light of day?<\/h2>\n
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