This article compares the differences between the Specialized Roubaix and BMC Roadmachine.
The comparison covers the model lineups, specifications, and retail pricing. It compares the carbon fiber technology (Specialized FACT vs BMC ACE+) and frameset technologies on each bike.
The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Specialized Roubaix vs BMC Roadmachine before making the purchasing decision.
| Specialized Roubaix | BMC Roadmachine | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bike | Endurance | Endurance |
| Frame material | FACT 11r carbon FACT 10r carbon | Premium 01 carbon Premium carbon |
| Frame sizes | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, 64 | 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Groupset | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Cabling | External | Internal |
| Price (USD) | $5,200 to $14,250 | $3,399 to $12,699 |
Specialized Roubaix
The Specialized Roubaix is an endurance bike that got its name from the hardest one-day bike race; the Paris-Roubaix. It has a slightly relaxed frame geometry and wider tire clearance compared to the Tarmac.
Specialized sponsored teams will ride this model for the race instead of their usual Tarmac for its Future Shock suspension system. This technology helps make riding more comfortable when the pros ride across rough cobblestones at 30mph.
There are six models in the Specialized Roubaix lineup based on its groupset setup. It’s also available in S-Works frameset only.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works Roubaix | FACT 11r carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | Roval Alpinist CLX | $14,250 |
| Specialized Roubaix Pro | FACT 10r carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Roval Alpinist CL | $8,700 |
| Specialized Roubaix Expert | FACT 10r carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Roval C38 | $8,000 |
| Specialized Roubaix Comp | FACT 10r carbon | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | DT Swiss R470 | $5,200 |
Specialized Roubaix vs others
BMC Roadmachine
The BMC Roadmachine is an endurance bike.
The BMC Roadmachine has a more relaxed geometry compared to the Teammachine. It has a carbon fiber layup geared towards more comfort, especially over rough roads, at the expense of high performance and stiffness.
There are two versions available; BMC Roadmachine 01 (higher grade) vs BMC Roadmachine (standard). Both have the same frame geometry but differ in carbon fiber grade (Premium 01 Carbon vs Premium Carbon) and internal vs external cable routing.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMC Roadmachine 01 One | Premium 01 carbon | SRAM Red eTap AXS | Zipp 303 Firecrest | $12,699 |
| BMC Roadmachine 01 Two | Premium 01 carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | DT Swiss ERC 1100 | $12,999 |
| BMC Roadmachine 01 Three | Premium 01 carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | CRD-321 SL Carbon | $8,899 |
| BMC Roadmachine 01 Four | Premium 01 carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | CRD-321 SL Carbon | $8,299 |
| BMC Roadmachine 01 Five | Premium 01 carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | CRD-321 SL Carbon | $7,299 |
| BMC Roadmachine One | Premium carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | CRD-321 | $6,499 |
| BMC Roadmachine Two | Premium carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | DT Swiss E1800 | $5,999 |
| BMC Roadmachine Three | Premium carbon | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7100) | XRD-522 | $5,599 |
| BMC Roadmachine Four | Premium carbon | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | XRD-522 | $5,199 |
| BMC Roadmachine Five | Premium carbon | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7100) | Mavic Open Disc | $4,599 |
| BMC Roadmachine Six | Premium carbon | Shimano 105 (R7000) | Mavic Open Disc | $3,399 |
BMC Roadmachine vs others
Specialized vs Trek carbon fiber
Specialized FACT Carbon
Specialized FACT (Functional Advanced Composite Technology) is an advanced carbon fiber technology used in high-performance Specialized bicycles. It offers a lightweight yet strong frame construction with precise carbon layup, resulting in optimal strength-to-weight ratio and improved ride quality.
FACT carbon frames are engineered to efficiently transfer power, absorb road vibrations, and provide a comfortable riding experience. With continuous innovation and refinement, FACT Carbon demonstrates Specialized’s commitment to delivering top-notch performance and enhancing the overall cycling experience.
The carbon is available in three grades. The choice between FACT 12r, 11r, or 10r carbon depends on the bike model, your preferences, riding style, and budget.
- Specialized FACT 12r Carbon is the highest-grade carbon used by Specialized. Bikes (S-Works models) with frames made from FACT 12r carbon are the lightest and stiffest in the Specialized line-up. These frames are manufactured using the most advanced techniques and materials.
- Specialized FACT 11r Carbon used to be the highest-grade carbon until the S-Works Tarmac (SL5). Today, it’s the highest-grade carbon for the S-Works Roubaix.
- Specialized FACT 10r Carbon is two steps below 12r in the Specialized carbon hierarchy. While it doesn’t provide quite the same level of weight savings and stiffness as 12r, 10r frames are still very light and stiff, providing a high level of performance. FACT 10r carbon is used in all non S-Works models and is ideal for riders who want a balance of performance and value.
BMC ACE+
The BMC ACE+ (Accelerated Composites Evolution Technology +) is the latest carbon fiber layup technology used on all BMC road bikes.
ACE+ operates by determining the cross-sections of the frame, the arrangement of the carbon layers, and the geometric structure based on targeted performance values. Subsequently, it generates thousands of virtual models to pinpoint the ideal equilibrium of performance, focusing on three fundamental aspects; Stiffness, Weight, and Compliance.
BMC has two different carbon grades, 01 Premium Carbon and Premium Carbon, in their road bike frames. The choice between the two carbon grades depends on the rider’s preferences, budget, and desired level of performance.
- 01 Premium Carbon is a high-grade carbon fiber material with superior performance, stiffness, and weight savings. It provides enhanced ride quality with improved power transfer and responsiveness. Premium 01 carbon is used on all BMC models with 01, such as Teammachine SLR01 and Roadmachine 01.
- Premium Carbon is a mid-range carbon fiber material that balances performance, weight, and affordability. It is used on all BMC models without the 01.
Frameset technologies and innovations
Specialized Roubaix and BMC Roadmachine framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.
Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.
Specialized Roubaix
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| FACT carbon | Functional Advanced Composite Technology (FACT). A carbon fiber construction method that balances lightweight, stiffness, and compliance in Specialized bike frames. Available in two carbon grades; FACT 11r and 10r. A higher number indicates a higher grade of carbon. S-Works models use the FACT 11r carbon and Specialized Pro and Expert models use the FACT 10r carbon. |
| Future Shock | A suspension system designed for the Roubaix road bike to improve rider comfort and control by absorbing road shocks and vibrations, resulting in a smoother and more efficient ride. Located above the head tube, it offers up to 20mm of vertical travel to absorb road bumps and vibrations, enhancing rider comfort and reducing fatigue on rough terrains. |
| Rider-First Engineered™ | Rider-First Engineered™ is a design philosophy used by Specialized that ensures every frame size delivers the same predictable and responsive ride characteristics. This concept was first introduced with the 2015 Tarmac, and the idea has been incorporated into all models since. Instead of simply scaling frame sizes, Specialized takes into account that riders of different sizes have different weights, which are distributed differently. This means that each frame size experiences different forces. Therefore, each frame size is engineered independently with different carbon layups and tube dimensions, ensuring the optimal balance of rigidity, weight, and responsiveness for each size. In short, no matter what the frame size is, the ride quality and performance remain consistently excellent. |
| Win Tunnel | Specialized utilizes advanced tools and technologies to pursue aerodynamic excellence, such as the Win Tunnel, FreeFoil Shape Library, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Data Acquisition (DAQ) system. The goal is to optimize aerodynamic performance by conducting wind tunnel tests, developing new airfoil shapes, simulating fluid flow, and collecting real-world data to improve rider position and enhance overall performance. |
BMC Roadmachine
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Integrated Cockpit System (ICS) | Seamlessly integrates the handlebar, stem, and fork to improve aerodynamics, enhance stiffness, and provide a clean, integrated look. The elimination of external cables reduces drag and improves handling responsiveness. |
| Tuned Compliance Concept (TCC) | TCC optimizes vertical compliance by strategically tuning the carbon layup and tube shapes. This technology improves the frame’s ability to absorb road vibrations and bumps, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride without sacrificing performance or power transfer. |
| D-Shaped Seatpost | BMC’s D-Shaped Seatpost features a flattened shape that enhances vertical compliance and comfort by absorbing road vibrations. This design provides a smoother ride experience, particularly during long-distance or rougher road surfaces, while maintaining aerodynamic performance. |
Where to buy
Specialized shops
- Specialized online shops. Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States
- Specialized retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Specialized retailers.
BMC retailers
- BMC retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest BMC retailers.
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.