Techs-Mechs: Bike mods of Paris-Roubaix

by gravel road on Apr 12, 2008 1:59 PM EDT

[editor's note, by Mr Van P] Gravel Road, hope you don't mind, but I couldn't resist adding the Techs-Mechs stamp. Nice piece.

Winning at Paris-Roubaix requires the perfect combination of strength, will, and luck. Luck being elusive and often cruel, teams try to stack the odds in their favor by implementing all kinds of special adaptations to their bikes and racing tactics.

Each year, one of my favorite things is to watch for the latest 'Roubaix tech'. Velonews has a story about Slipstream-Chipotle's 'Roubaix tech' and how they have relied on Magnus Backstedt for technical recommendations.
link here

What else is out there?

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If you really want to get technical

L'equipe has the order of the team cars on its website. viz

Saunier Duval
Tinkoff
Française des Jeux
Barloworld
Quick Step
Slipstream
Cofidis
CSC
Cycle Collstrop
Agritubel
Milram
Crédit Agricole
Caisse d'Epargne
Rabobank
Euskaltel
Bouygues Telecom
AG2R
Gerolsteiner
Lampre
Landbouwkrediet
Liquigas
Silence
Skil
High Road
Topsport

Bit of a shame for High Road and Silence, and I'm not sure it will do much good for Tinkoff and SD, but who knows.

by Monty. on Apr 12, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Wrenching at Chez Sui Juris, today

Keeps alternating between downpours and bright sun outside. Just like Hawaii, except, you know, I'm in DC. Killin' me.

So it's A Sunday in Hell on the screen and a wrench in hand (fine tuning my own ride, and rechecking the Resident Triathlete's bike.)

*T-shirt: I Don't Do Triathlons. I Do a Triathlete.*

**Nixed T-shirt (I have no idea why): I Don't Do Triathlons. I Do Triathletes.

by Sui Juris on Apr 12, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Check out the piece on Ballan's bike over on CN

Cross bike rear stays, 27mm tires 53/46 chain rings. pracitically everyone is using traditional box rimes. I love this week.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 12, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone else notice Ballan's wheels

are using non-butted 14 gauge spokes and brass nipples? I get the impression each year that wheel failure is one thing the riders cannot tolerate. Also, some guys are still on steel bikes.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 12, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Van P

If you love wheels, you have to click over to read Radio Freddy's brilliant site

Thousand Islanders: Time to sink or swim, guys!

by Jiggs on Apr 12, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

tag, you're it

Okay, if you're BKW's ambassador (and you probably aren't, but I'm trying to make this your problem anyway), please explain why we need to suffer the grammatical offence that is Belgium Knee Warmers. And don't try and pass this off as some translation thing. Je spreche solamente una bisen Euro, but I'm certain that the Continent isn't as illiterate as the phrase "Belgium Knee Warmers" makes it sound.

by Sui Juris on Apr 12, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I loved it.

Ambrosio rims have and continue to be hugely popular in the pro ranks in Europe. They aren't very popular in the states. Anyone knows who sells them?

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 13, 2008 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you

have to freeze frame the picture to spot that?

I bet that I originally found Italian Cycling Journal from a link of yours, but if by chance you don't know it then enjoy. hoghlights include a visit to the Pegoretti "factory" (read shed in the hills) and the maker of wooden wheels.

by Monty. on Apr 13, 2008 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Plumbing and cycling?

I love the contributions from the plumbing world. Metal hose clamps on the seat posts so they don't drop from the constant pounding. Backstedt likes having a layer of pipe insulation tucked under his tape on the drops of his handlebars.

"Race radios in Cat 4?"

by gravel road on Apr 12, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

Does anyone know why some riders do this?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/roubaix08/tech.php?id=/photos/2008/tech/features/paris_ro ubaix08/Agritubel_Kuota_KOM_Berges_tied

Wouldn't the fexibilty of the spokes be better and wouldn't this reduce it?

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 13, 2008 6:43 AM EDT reply actions

old school solution

for not-so-rigid rims . . . (I'm thinking of Wolber Arc-en-ciels and the like)

The theory (remember I'm not Sheldon Brown, Jobst Brandt OR Joe Young):

The point of crossing spokes is to increase lateral rigidity (remember when radial spokes were viewed with horror by all good wheel-builders?). Tieing and soldering responds to that worry, mainly.

by R Mc on Apr 13, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions