Techs-Mechs: On the eve of Roubaix

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 7:24 AM EDT

Just some final thoughts before tomorrow's big race:

Garmin Slipstream riders and others are reportedly using DA 7800 over the new flagship 7900. The heavier forged alloy parts are apparently more durable. I am not reading too much into this.

Speedplay has a special cobble designed pedal, which essentially looks like someone took a jigsaw to their favorite pair of Zero's. The design is to allow for shedding mud better. I can see weightweenies worldwide texting speedplay in droves to get their hands on these to shave those 5-6 pesky grams of plastic platform.

The new Zipp 303 will be out in full force. Not sure if it will outnumber box rims, but the wider design is here to stay (maybe).

I suspect we will see some cross bikes out there as well. Honestly though, with the advances in frame designs/materials, why aren't there more cyclocross bikes out there, with beefy road tires? There seems to be a lot of modifications to road bikes, to make them more like cross bikes anyway. Better clearance, more durable, longer more comfy wheel base.. It just seems to make sense.

Anyhow, enjoy. I'm sure we'll have some tech failures to discuss Sunday night.

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Any pictures of the speedplay pedal?

Wonder if it resembles the Eggbeaters at all……

"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."

Tom Boonen

by Drew Davis on Apr 11, 2009 7:31 AM EDT reply actions

Yup

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2009/tech/features/ronde_van_vlaanderen109/RVV_Liquigas_Franzoi_pedal

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 7:38 AM EDT reply actions

Huh.

Might shed mud, but I’d hate to have to find that and clip back in at speed.

by Sui Juris on Apr 11, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I suppose being a speedplay user, I could see that these might be easier to to get into if you stepped in mud or a big pile of cow-flop, but lining up the little spring-clip-bar-thingie would be a nightmare.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

the more I think about it, the more that Zeros seem like a really bad idea for a poor-weather P-R. I’d Frog it.

by Sui Juris on Apr 11, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

hasn't O'Grady been riding these for the last few years?

by jsallee00 on Apr 11, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

these are O'Grady's from 2007. Slightly different

here

by jsallee00 on Apr 11, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

here

by jsallee00 on Apr 11, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yup. I understand they will be available to

the public soon.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

you have to paste the whole URL into

the browsers. Sorry.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 7:52 AM EDT reply actions

This is Greek to me

But Feltet have an article today (in Danish, here’s a version messed up by Google) on Quick Step’s Roubaix bike. Apparently it’s having a longer frame and some magic gel.

Oh my, I've just fallen in love with Roger De Vlaeminck's sideburns.

by TheFigurehead on Apr 11, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

Cool stuff

Apparently the regular Roubaix model needed some tweaking.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

Cut and Paste from a BMC release

perhaps of some interest:

In principle, all parts tested over the roads covered by the Paris-Roubaix will be available to the normal consumer. However, there are a few exceptions with regards to the components from other suppliers. The most important difference is with the fork supplied by the American manufacturer Easton. “The fork has a larger opening and the weave of the carbon allows for a somewhat softer ride,” Cattai explained. In addition, the fork arch is somewhat broader. The fork was tested over the cobbles for the first time during the Belgian race 3 Days of West Flanders at the beginning of March. “We were entirely content with the result.” Subsequently, the forks were stored away to save for use during the Paris Roubaix. They will be used next only on Friday when the riders take them out to inspect the cobbled sectors of the course.

Another special component in preparation for the Queen of the Classics will be the chain rings supplied by Campagnolo. While the team usually runs a 39/53 combination, for Paris-Roubaix BMC will install a 44/53. The new rings help guide the chain through the derailleur when shifting from one ring to another. This therefore decreases the danger of chains jumping unexpectedly. All other components either are now or will be available to the general market within the year, such as the aluminium rims from DT Swiss and the broader 25mm tubular tires (Collé) from Continental. The next generation of BMC bicycles is already under test.

by Sui Juris on Apr 11, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

interesting about the fork.

I wonder if it has a carbon steerer or aluminum?

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Am I the only one who reads that as

we made some nice shiny new ones, then beat them about on the cobbles for a while just to be sure that they’d break on the way to Roubaix.

by Monty. on Apr 11, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not specifically Roubaix.....

..but there’s interesting stuff here on the aerodynamics of Ridley’s split fork/seatstay frames.

http://thefastestbikeintheworld.com/index.php?id=intro

way older than Sean Kelly

by Dave.49 on Apr 11, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

From CN

ilram previewing equipment for Paris-Roubaix?

A carbon ‘cross fork
Photo ©: James Huang

Gent-Wevelgem isn’t a particularly demanding course in terms of cobbles and most riders, including Milram sprinter Gerald Ciolek, set off from Deinze aboard standard road machines. Teammate Niki Terpstra, however, didn’t just use a modified road bike with cantilever brakes and extra clearance; he used a actual ’cross frameset in what was possibly a planned get-to-know-you session for Sunday.

In usual ‘cross bike fashion, Terpstra’s carbon Focus Mares Team frame features extra-wide tire clearances and cantilever brakes both front and rear, along with top tube-routed cables and supplemental top mount brake levers. Gore fully sealed derailleur housing keeps out road grime and mud for more consistent shift performance while Speedplay’s pared-down ‘Paris-Roubaix’ pedals (currently only for pros but set for consumer release this fall) are fitted to the ends of the SRAM Red BB30 crankset.

If Wednesday’s soggy conditions continue through the weekend, we may just see more of this sort of thing come Sunday.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 11, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Doubtful. Look, the main reason you do not see 'Coss frames in P~R is . . . .

. . . . those frames were designed for Cyclocross Racing, and thus the frames have a geometry optimized for that style of racing.

Don’t poo poo this either, because it is really a big deal.

Oh and in case you didn’t realize this race is a bit long, and to sit on a bike with a higher BB, a much different Head Angle & For Rake, and the ride quality of a crit bike from the 90’s would be less then ideal.

by Ryan_Liles on Apr 11, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank God

or Ryan.
Someone has to make the point, a ’cross frame is not a road frame, they are not interchangeable.
And for all you idiots telling someone that a ’cross frame is good for touring, commuting or anything other than cyclocross….
Stop it.
I know, I know…I get worked up over this

by MavicMoto on Apr 12, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

It's nice to start a spirited debate

now and then.. : – )

In fairness I think my longest road ride on the cross bike is about 35 miles and I’ve only taken one town line sprint on it.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 12, 2009 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

True enough, and when you get down to it

It’s still a road race with about 120 miles of pavement left. I ride a cross bike with beefy road tires all winter. I flip the stem down and set it up as much as I can to match my road bike, but it still isn’t the same ride. I don’t get dropped though, and I like the comfort it gives me over the frost heaves and pot holes.
I’m just wondering though when you start modifying the road bike enough, when do the lines get blurred?
And FWIW, Terpstra’s Focus cross bike is a pretty sweet looking rig, that would probably not lose much to my CAAD8 on the road if I could ride it.

by Peter Fontecchio on Apr 12, 2009 7:07 AM EDT reply actions