2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 Review
- Price: $800
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: Nimbus II Sport, 650b x 2.3″
- Gear: 1 x 7
What we like about it: Three color options for more rider choices.
What we don’t like about it: The 1×7 drivetrain could be more impressive.
Rating: (4.6/5)
The 2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 offers exceptional value that caters to all types of riders. It not only meets your exercise needs but also handles your daily commuting requirements. This bike’s Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum frame offers both comfort and performance, making it a great choice.
In the following sections, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the 2023 Specialized Roll 2.0. In the latter part of this article, we’ve also selected a few other bikes for comparison. If you’re interested in more bicycle reviews, please follow us.
Riding Experience
Commute Cycling
In the early morning, I hopped on my Specialized Roll 2.0, ready to embark on a delightful day of commuting. This bike is my top choice for urban commuting, and as I pedaled, its smooth and steady acceleration made me feel like I was in for a comfortable day. The Specialized Body Geometry Comfort Gel seat and sturdy Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum frame provide the feeling of sitting in a plush chair, and every pedal stroke is an anticipation of an easygoing day. The Specialized Roll handlebar design allows me to maintain a natural posture, with comfortable wrists, and I felt the ease and comfort of each turn of the handlebar.
On the commute, I navigated through the congested city streets. The maneuverability and lightweight design of the Specialized Roll 2.0 allowed me to weave through traffic effortlessly, free from the frustration of congestion. With Specialized Roll 2.0’s Nimbus II Sport tires, I tackled uneven road surfaces with ease, feeling resilient with each encounter of bumpy sections. The sense of freedom was fantastic.
Is That All?
As the sun set, my journey back home began. I found myself on a wide city boulevard. The large wheels and stability allowed me to maintain a smooth speed, and I felt the synergy between the bike and the city. The comfortable seat of the Specialized Roll 2.0 made me feel relaxed, and I enjoyed the cool breeze and city sights.
The comfort of the Specialized Roll 2.0 made every ride a moment of self-relaxation. My mood was cheerful as if I were one with the city. The agile steering of the Specialized Roll 2.0 allowed me to navigate the city night with precision, and I felt the thrill of being in control.
Moreover, even on poorly lit roads, this bike, although not equipped with lights, had reflective accents on the tires, enhancing its visibility in such conditions and ensuring my safety.
Specifications
The 2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 is an excellent comfort bicycle. It features a robust and lightweight Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum frame with impressive performance. Additionally, it has steel-formed tubes, providing strong shock absorption. The Nimbus II Sport tires offer excellent traction, fast rolling speed, and adaptability to various riding styles. They come with puncture protection and reflective accents for rider safety.
Furthermore, this bike is equipped with a microSHIFT RD-M26S rear derailleur, which offers decent performance. The 1×7 drivetrain might not meet the demands of some riders, but it’s sufficient for daily use. The mechanical disc brakes also meet daily use requirements, although their braking performance is not outstanding.
Video
Other Versions
After numerous tests, our understanding of this bike has deepened. It is an outstanding comfort bicycle.
However, many riders have their own performance and component requirements. Therefore, we conducted further research on bikes of the same type.
2023 Specialized Roll 3.0 Low Entry
The geometries of these two bikes differ in only two aspects. Specialized Roll 2.0 has a seat tube length of 480mm, while Specialized Roll 3.0 Low Entry is 500mm. However, the seat tube length doesn’t impact the bike’s comfort. Another difference is that the 3.0’s standover height is 495mm, while the 2.0 is 881mm, ensuring rider safety.
Furthermore, the 2.0 is slightly faster than the 3.0, reaching speeds of up to 31mph. The frames and other components of these two bikes are mostly identical, but the seatpost differs. The 2.0 has a rigid seatpost, while the 3.0 has a suspension seatpost, which offers good shock absorption. The 3.0 is equipped with a 1×8 drivetrain, providing a wider range of gearing and smoother shifting. Additionally, the 3.0 features hydraulic disc brakes, offering better braking performance compared to the 2.0’s mechanical disc brakes.
What do we like about it?
- Three color options for more rider choices.
- Clean internal cable routing for easy maintenance.
- Currently on sale for only $549.99, providing excellent value.
- Offers professional manufacturing.
What don’t we like about it?
- The 1×7 drivetrain could be more impressive.
FAQ
- Is this bike suitable for beginners?
This bike is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
- What color options are available for this bike?
It comes in three color options: Gloss Lagoon Blue / Tarmac Black / Satin Black Reflective; Gloss Cool Grey / Dove Grey / Satin Black Reflective; Gloss Tarmac Black / Ion / Satin Black Reflective.
- How many fixed points does this bike have?
This bike has four fixed points.
- How do I choose the right size?
The size chart is below:
These sizes are just general guidelines and the true fit may vary from person to person. The best way to find your size the best way is to go for a test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’2″ – 5’8″ | SM |
| 5’6″ – 5’11” | MD |
| 5’10” – 6’3″ | LG |
| 6’1″ – 6’7″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, Ground Control Positioning, formed tubes, post-mount disc, fender/rack mountsColors: Gloss Lagoon Blue / Tarmac Black / Satin Black Reflective; Gloss Cool Grey / Dove Grey / Satin Black Reflective; Gloss Tarmac Black / Ion / Satin Black Reflective |
| Fork | Steel formed tubes, post-mount disc, fender/rack mounts |
| Bottom Bracket | 68mm, square taper, 124.5mm length |
| Stem | 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 7-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Roll, 6061 alloy, double butted, 15-degree backsweep, 136mm rise, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Specialized Body Geometry Comfort Gel |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 27.2mm |
| Pedals | Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, platform, plastic |
| Grips | Slip-on, Closed End Grips |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | microSHIFT RD-M26S, 7-speed |
| Crank | Forged aluminum arms, 3-piece, 7 speed, 42T |
| Shifters | microSHIFT TS39 Trigger shift, 7-speed |
| Cassette | SunRace, 7-Speed, 11-34t |
| Chain | KMC Z7, 7-speed w/ Missing Link™ |
| Brakes | Radius CX7, mechanical disc, 160mm |
Wheels
| Rims | 650b disc, double-wall alloy, pinned, 32h |
| Spokes | Stainless, 14g |
| Front Hub | Alloy, 6-bolt disc, loose ball bearing, quick-release, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Alloy, 6-bolt disc, 7-speed freehub, loose ball bearing, quick-release, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Nimbus II Sport, 650b x 2.3″, Rear: Nimbus II Sport, 650b x 2.3″ |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click view | Tires | Drivetrain | Frame Material | Groupset |
| Trek Verve 3 Disc | Click View | Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate 700x45c | 2 x 9 | Aluminum | Shimano Alivio, Acera |
| Giant Cypress 3 | Click View | Innova Multi Purpose Hybrid, 700x45c | 1 x 8 | Aluminum | microSHIFT Acolyte |
| 2023 Electra Townie Original 7D Step-Thru | Click View | Bontrager E6 Hard-Case Lite 26×2.00″ | 1 x 7 | Aluminum | Shimano Tourney |
| KTM TOURELLA | Click View | KTM Line – Shimano Nexus DH-C3000-3N 36H 100 nut / KTM 28″ | Internally Geared Hub | Aluminum | Shimano Nexus |
2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 vs. Trek Verve 3 Disc
Trek Verve 3 Disc features an aluminum fork, while the Specialized Roll 2.0 comes with a steel fork. The steel fork offers excellent shock absorption. Additionally, the Specialized Roll 2.0 has 650b wheels, providing great agility, whereas the Trek Verve 3 Disc has 700c wheels, offering excellent versatility. The Specialized Roll 2.0 is equipped with mechanical disc brakes, while the Trek Verve 3 Disc features hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes offer superior braking performance, whereas mechanical disc brakes are easier to maintain.
Moreover, the Trek Verve 3 Disc uses a 2×9 drivetrain, whereas the Specialized Roll 2.0 has a 1×7 drivetrain. While the 1×7 drivetrain’s single front chainring design helps prevent chain drops, the 2×9 drivetrain offers a wider range of gearing and smoother shifting. It’s worth noting that the Trek Verve 3 Disc features a suspension seatpost with good shock absorption, while the Specialized Roll 2.0 has a rigid seatpost that allows for better power transfer when pedaling.
Learn More: Is Trek Verve 3 Disc -Is It The Best Hybrid Bike? [Review]
2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 vs. Giant Cypress 3
The Giant Cypress 3 has a relatively slower riding speed, reaching only 27mph, while the Specialized Roll 2.0 boasts a faster speed of 31mph. The Specialized Roll 2.0 has a stack/reach ratio of 1.74, offering a more relaxed geometry, while the Giant Cypress 3 has a 1.62 stack/reach ratio. A relaxed geometry allows riders to maintain an upright position, providing excellent comfort, while a more aggressive geometry sacrifices some comfort in exchange for higher efficiency.
The Specialized Roll 2.0 has a slightly smaller head tube angle at 69 degrees, which contributes to a more stable ride. Its larger 70mm BB drop helps lower the center of gravity, making the ride more stable. However, this may result in a lower pedal position, causing some challenges when cornering and navigating obstacles, which can affect the smoothness of the ride.
Learn More: Is Giant Cypress 2 Worth Buying? [2022 Giant Cypress 2 Review]
2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 vs. 2023 Electra Townie Original 7D Step-Thru
The Electra Townie Original 7D Step-Thru features a rim braking system. Due to the unique principles of rim brakes, they tend to accumulate a significant amount of heat during braking, which can potentially damage the bicycle during extended downhill rides. This kind of damage can result in substantial costs. On the other hand, the Specialized Roll 2.0 is equipped with a mechanical disc brake system, offering good braking performance. In the event of issues, it is more convenient for maintenance and repairs.
The Electra Townie Original 7D Step-Thru boasts a high stack/reach ratio of 1.97. With this design, the riding experience becomes extremely comfortable, allowing riders to maintain a more upright position. Although this design sacrifices some efficiency and speed, with a maximum speed of only 24mph, it must be acknowledged that this bicycle provides a highly comfortable experience for riders.
Learn More: Is Electra Townie 7D a Best-Selling Comfort Bike？[2023 Electra Townie 7D Review]
2023 Specialized Roll 2.0 vs. KTM TOURELLA
The KTM TOURELLA features robust 700c wheels, which offer excellent terrain adaptability. However, it uses rim brakes, which are relatively average in performance and tend to accumulate excess heat during prolonged use, leading to potential damage. On the upside, it comes with an Internally Geared Hub drivetrain that is not affected by weather conditions, requires low maintenance, and is easy to clean and maintain due to its single-speed configuration. This design is highly durable and enhances efficiency.
In contrast, the Specialized Roll 2.0 is equipped with highly agile 650b wheels and a mechanical disc brake system that offers good braking performance, easy maintenance, and repairability. However, its 1×7 drivetrain is less impressive, with average performance, less smooth gear shifting, and a limited range.
Summary
This is our review of the 2023 Specialized Roll 2.0. It is an excellent comfort bike that enhances the riding experience. Taking everything into account, we have awarded it a high score of 4.6. If you’re interested in more bicycle information, feel free to explore our other reviews.
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