HTC - The Paris Roubaix Experience Video - Words and Photo's by Me.

This is a really nice film of the HTC boys in action at this years Paris - Roubaix race. I got to see the bikes and some of the riders at the start and they where all super relaxed and focused on the day. Having watched fellow amateurs riding their roubaix's and now seeing the close up footage of the Teams bikes here I have to testify to being a little jealous as they just worked so well over the Pavé. While Specialized may lack some of the sex appeal of other more well established marques you can't argue about it's status as a tool for the job. Look at the results it's gained over the last 3-5 years, it's pretty impressive.

The Pro machine differs from the one that is commercially available to punters in that it recieves a different geometry so that they don't have to resort to crazy -17* stems for the riders to achieve their desired position. Even for us regular Joe's the shorter headtube makes sense as looking at their bikes I'd probably require a 40mm stack compared to the slammed and negative combination which would get me close(ish) to my desired position. As the popularity grows in this types of Sportive with the Tour of Flanders version regularly attracting over 17,000 riders to me there seems to be some commercial sense in making this available. The success of bikes like the Cervélo R3 tells me that the people who ride would probably buy what in effect would be the posistion of a stock Tarmac with a Roubaix's comfort.

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Paris Roubaix - the kit Part 1 ~ Gloves

As a (rank) amateur you need to think about your kit for the event, as to coin a phrase 'every little helps'.

So the first piece of kit I'd like to sing the praises of is the Gore Bike Wear Retro Tech mitts. Choosing a new pair of gloves was a nagging stress in my head as all my current gloves I wasn't getting on with at all. I managed to find one solitary version of an old pair of Retro Techs, tried them on and thought I'd give these a go.

The fit was very close but not restrictive and with the minimal padding it ticked the boxes I was looking for. Having talked to a few folks it seemed that strapping the fingers and adding support over the hands would help with the pounding that the pavé would dish out.

Not once did I take my gloves off during the ride, incase I exposed my eyes to any blisters as I know it would have messed with my head. So getting to the transfer area (about 4/5km from the finish) I decided to unveil my hands that had been hidden most of the day. They where a little red, but apart from that nothing, no blisters or anything to speak of.

Using the gloves this week over regular roads has more than confirmed that I'll be spending some long hours using them. Great product which I can't recommend highly enough.

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Untitled

This is a wonderful short film, showing a little of the chaos that is Paris Roubaix. Mavic also supported the Challenge ride on the Saturday and gave the amateur riders the same respect that they showed to the proffesionals on the sunday. I couldn't help but to be impressed by the company and how it presented itself. The mechanics on the saturday were so paitent with riders as they came to them with adjustments that needed to be made.

It was great to see that the prototype work on the development wheel, the M40, saw its ultimate goal as it was used by the winner to get him into Roubaix velodrome. As I've said before I hope these wheels see the light of day, in particular a clincher version for all us chippers out there.

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Paris-Roubaix from inside the Mavic Service Course

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The Bikes of Garmin Cervelo

So the big change for Garmin is the new bikes, complete with a Sram groupo. This in itself doesn't look that strange to see the riders who we have become accustomed to seeing on the Felt's in recent years. There is lots of pressure on the Team this year with, on paper, one of the strongest Classics squads. It'll be tough to make the selection for Flanders or Roubaix. 

The bikes look strange, and I think it's down to the wheels. Not that there is anything wrong with a Mavic wheel (I am a big fan of their product), but I think that we have just grown used to seeing the Zipp label in this area. Currently there isn't really a Mavic Classic's wheel to go head to head with the 303, but maybe Mavic have something up their sleeve. Last year riders had a special tubular version of the Cosmic Carbone SLR which riders used at Flanders. For Roubaix riders switched back to a traditional box section rim, it itself nothing wrong with it, just a little heavy compared to the Zipp product. It will be indeed interesting to see if Mavic pull anything out of the famous SSC programme to aid their riders and give them a competitive edge. 

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Knickers

I've never really been that big a fan of the Knicker, although for regular Road riding it makes some sense, it keeps your Knees warm and covered and the roubaix material allows the muscles to be kept warmer. Although I have a couple of pairs in my wardrobe they rarely see the light of day, musing I wondered why.

I thnk in part I have odd shaped legs, big thighs, big calfs and slightly longer in the thigh. So the lower cuff never seems to fit that well. Ironically the best fitting one I have is from Sugoi, not a big road brand but with more heritage in Tri (although I'm sure that will change with the sponsorship of Liquigas). I have used them for commuting journeys, but often when going for a ride I would prefer to use a pair of knee warmers with some bib shorts. In recent years with brushed or roubaix bib shorts becoming easier to find it allows people like myself to gain all the benefits of the Knicker (or the 3/4) without the fit issues that surround it (well at least for me).

The Pro peloton has had some brief periods of use. In 1994 Johan Museeuw used them in that years edition of the Tour of Flanders, the result was:

1994 G. Bugno (Ita) J. Museeuw A. Tsjmil (Mol)   The following year Museeuw was back, sans Knickers, and sporting a fine pair of Belgium Knee Warmers, the result would be turned and a new page would be written in his career. Some would say that it was a coincidence, some would say that it showed mentally he wasn't there. He didn't watch that finish of the 1994 ride until the night before the '95 edition of the Ronde, I wonder if he saw them and made sure that he wasn't wearing them (ok I know the two days where different, '94 colder, '95 warmer, clear and sunny) but I can't remember Museeuw ever wearing a pair competively again (although if you find a photo, I won't be shocked)   1995 J. Museeuw F. Baldato (Ita) A. Tsjmil (Oek) The only other races where I can think that you see a fair amount of the Knicker is in the bookends of the season. Paris Nice, the race to the sun, which normally starts off bloody cold, can see snow deserves a little more protection for the body that early on in the year. The other race that springs to mind is the Giro di Lombardi as the weather can mirror those faced by the peloton in March. Although I can see all of the benefits of the Knicker, it just won't be a piece of kit I'll be adding to the wardrobe as I prefer the option of brused shorts and knee warmers, or if I am feeling very Flandrien a good dose of embrocation, as Belgium Knee Warmers match any kit and never go out of style. See and download the full gallery on posterous some good examples of Belgian Knee Warmers in use at this years Paris Roubaix, photos by http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinmorton1/ Belgian

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Paris Roubaix Sportive

TDW Sport

There has been a Sportive run over the course every two years, but unlike the Ronde van Vlaanderen it isn't run off the day before but takes place in June. So although it's been a long time in coming the ASO has finally put together a course which will take in parts of the route. At a 162 km in length and featuring 18 pave sectors it will remain a challenge for even the toughest of riders, what the French refer to as Flahutes (the Ferench version of Flandriens), the tough men who thrive in adverse conditions which usually include pave.

TDW Sport

I've just been looking at the costs and it ain't going to be a cheap weekend, unlike Flanders which can be done for not a lot of cash in the grand scheme of things. So pricing from entry open option. Increasingly ASO have made this harder and harder to do on the Tour Etape. It may solve a few issues in regards of how to deal with the start/finish scenario as the logistics can be a challenge, and frankly do you really want to have to find your way back to your hotel, then deal with cars etc, the mind boggles. As much as I would normally go 'yeah no worries' the A to B start finish option compared to the circular route of the Ronde makes it a little harder.

TDW Sport

Is this on the cards, well for various reasons I've missed the chance to do the last two versions in June (accidents, work, you know real life stuff), so the draw is pretty big. I made the decision that after this years Flanders I wouldn't be back next year. So this could be my Spring challenge.

Smashred

So it's time to really think about this, and if I'm going to do it I better get some serious training in. Then there will be no doubt a lot of lammenting on bike and kit (including clothing). For more information see these sites.

Smashred

http://www.parisroubaixchallenge.com/index.html

http://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/cycling/paris-roubaix-4-night-coach...

http://www.lafuga.cc/tours/paris_roubaix_ride_and_watch

Smashred

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Paris Roubaix, Cancellara and Sportives

I haven't been to see Roubaix live in ages, yet much of that day from when I last saw it is still clear in my mind. I can remember what I had for breakfast, how cold it was standing by the Roadside and how fast the riders are over the cobbles. I'd made the decision after Flanders this year that I wouldn't be back to watch it in 2011. I've managed it for the last three years, and to be honest it will be strange not watching the Ronde in Flanders. But I knew I had to visit the Queen again, she was calling loud and clear and both races are Super Special.

With the rumours that have been flying around and the now recent announcement that ASO would be holding a Sportive version for amateurs the day before. Unlike Flanders where having 17,000 people trample over the bergs before the Pro's is likely to do little damage, but may actually help clear the course, the same can't be said for Roubaix. I wonder if it may make the Stones worse. Details are sketchy at best, so we really don't know how much it'll cost or how many people will be able to enter. We do know that it will be 135km in length and the date is the 9th of April.

So I'd like to take part, and I'm sure I won't be alone in thinking that it'll be a great day, but I expect it to be tough. Unlike the June version run off every two years, the one the ASO are proposing will get the full Pro effect being the day before. I love Pave, and the more I ride it the better I get. So if I get in this will represent my first goal this year, and the training will have to start, or I'll never get fit in time. I've just watched these excellent videos from Michael at the www.theroaddiaries.com and it makes me want to have a go at it even more. I am sure it'll be a big challenge, and if the weather is shit a big ask. But it really appeals and I'm hoping to gather a little Team of people so we can ride can tackle the pave together. If I can't get in, I'll be hitting Belgium instead.

The race winning bike, although I'm unlikely to use a Specialized but I love the idea of using Sram, Zipp and FMB tubs. Not afraid of carbon on the cobbles as I won't be hitting then at 50 kmph+.

I'll be happy to finish, much in the same way I was chuffed to finish my first Flanders. Goals and going for a good time can happen on the second edition!

 

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Steven Cozza, Tyler Farrar - Paris-Roubaix

After breaking his collar bone earlier this year he was unsure if he'd be back for his favourite races over the pave. If you've followed his blog or twitter posts you'll know he (Cozza) worked super hard to get back fit and ready to support the Team.

Tyler Farrar is progressing into a Classics rider, and although he will continue to duke it out in the sprints (in the same way Boonen does) maybe we will see him win a BIG one. Flanders isn't out of his reach, Roubaix I just don't know, but its possible.

Garmin seem to have really come together as a Team with riders both coming theough and stepping up. Exciting times ahead and as the season is only half way through it should leave plenty of races where we might see the Argyle boys on the top steps.

FMB Paris Roubaix, Pave King

 I mentioned recently that it was Specialized's third straight victory in a row. I'm not sure if another manufacturer has managed this feat before, and currently I don't have the time to research it more fully. But the point of the article today is not to marvel in the big American Super Power Bike Brand, but it is to revel in the little guy who also has become the first name in quality tubulars.

Francois Marie Boyeaux is the man behind the the tubulars that bare his initials. Like many artists it acts both as a signature and a brand. It seems fitting that a French tyre should be the one that should be used to tame the pave. Boonen used the Paris Roubaix Pro tyre to great effect. You can't really hide the manufacturer as it screams FMB, even with no logo's on them. Tom used the 25mm version which is made with a cotton carcuss with added protection coming from a 0.2mm thick latex covering. This is a process used by a lot of Pro mechanics to help protect and speed up the ageing process of maturing tubs, plus it adds some welcome protection from side impacts when applied to that area. For those who have ridden a matured tub and a latex treated one say that the performance and feel is the same. The big benefit is the time gain, you no longer have to wait 3-5 years for some bombproof tyres.

What was different was this year many Teams choose to use the regular Roubaix version, albeit in the 27mm version. If you take a look on Fabian's bike it may be rebranded as Specialized, but it is clearly an FMB (the base tape and block style printing are giveaways). Roubaix requires special equipment, and as the major element in reducing the effects of the cobbles is a well made tubular is crucial. This isn't the first time SAXO Bank have used them, as they turned up to Roubaix last year with these on, minus the logos. To be honest FMB where a bit off the radar, but with Teams like SKY and SAXO being a little more open about the equipment they use it has shed a spotlight upon the brand.

T

These tyres really are handmade. The photo shows the Team SKY ones being made.

Between the Pro and the Regular version it's only the latex strip that is the obvious difference, tread appears to be the same. There is no mention of what inner tube is in the respective versions, but if I where to hazzard a guess it would be that the Pro version also uses a latex tube while the Regular version has a butyl tube (but maybe a trick ultralite one). Looking at the other versions of the tyres in the range it looks like the treads are taken from some of the best brands around, Continental, Veloflex and Vittoria all look to be represented. Construction is by hand and I think the attention to detail is what the vetran mechanics look for. The backing tape (where the glue mounts the tyre to the rim) is thicker than average allowing more glue to be soaked up, while at the same tyre allowing the mechanic to straighten them on the rim with more ease.

The first win of the year went to SKY using them. Frankly they look so Pro on the bikes it is ridiculas. There is something about a black tyre with an amber wall that just shouts class. I was impressed with the choice of these tyres by SKY, and although I am sure that Vittoria (SKY's official tyre sponsor) was a little miffed I have to say that in the pursuit of the win to gain that little bit extra they where prepared to ruffle a few feathers. If Vittoria are sensible they will build a tyre as good for next season for the Team.

Fabian has a bit of a reputation for having an eye for detail, and maybe it's that subtle 'look at me' he was after, rather than the 'LOOK AT ME' that the Pro tyre screams. The whole look of the Stealth Black bike was really finished off nicely with the tyres. FMB seems to have taken over from Dugast as the Pros (not so) secret weapon. The price of the Regular Roubaix isn't that bad, not considering it's pedigree. Lets not forget Fabian didn't puncture once, ok he bust a Zipp, but the tyre and wheel where intact long enough to get to a more sensible section to change bikes.

For those riders taking part in the Paris-Roubaix Randonee in June it may be a sensible idea to consider tubs. The better puncture resistance it offers could be very welcome for us budding amateurs, and maybe for one minute or so flying across the pave you too can pretend you are the King of the Pave.

 

thanks to C3 Products for the FMB images