Discussion
Right, on the way back from a minging wet race yesterday, I got talking to a mate about riding the PR sportive.
Has anyone done it before?
More specifically, wondering what to use bike wise. Currently race on a carbon TCR - was thinking this with double bartape, swapping out the deep wheels for a set of ultegra/open pro handbuilts and decent gloves will do the trick. The guy I am going to do it with is keeping an eye on ebay for a cross bike - is this a much better idea than what i'm planning? I know what the pros use, but i'm not one of them.
Has anyone done it before?
More specifically, wondering what to use bike wise. Currently race on a carbon TCR - was thinking this with double bartape, swapping out the deep wheels for a set of ultegra/open pro handbuilts and decent gloves will do the trick. The guy I am going to do it with is keeping an eye on ebay for a cross bike - is this a much better idea than what i'm planning? I know what the pros use, but i'm not one of them.
Parsnip said:
Right, on the way back from a minging wet race yesterday, I got talking to a mate about riding the PR sportive.
Has anyone done it before?
More specifically, wondering what to use bike wise. Currently race on a carbon TCR - was thinking this with double bartape, swapping out the deep wheels for a set of ultegra/open pro handbuilts and decent gloves will do the trick. The guy I am going to do it with is keeping an eye on ebay for a cross bike - is this a much better idea than what i'm planning? I know what the pros use, but i'm not one of them.
Many of the pros ride modified prototypes which are less stiff, include more relaxed geometry and have greater clearances for mud etc. Most teams switch to cross-road bikes if the race is wet/muddy so don't feel the need to definitely do it on a super stiff bike setup for smooth tarmac Has anyone done it before?
More specifically, wondering what to use bike wise. Currently race on a carbon TCR - was thinking this with double bartape, swapping out the deep wheels for a set of ultegra/open pro handbuilts and decent gloves will do the trick. The guy I am going to do it with is keeping an eye on ebay for a cross bike - is this a much better idea than what i'm planning? I know what the pros use, but i'm not one of them.
A lot of the pros run 25c-27c tires because the 23c get stuck between the cobbles, hence the need for modified frames with greater tire clearance.
A friend who rode the Flanders sportif and the Roubaix sportif reckons the Roubaix is a lot harder due to the cobbles, you have to try and maintain momentum over them or you grind to a near halt.
Good luck!
A friend who rode the Flanders sportif and the Roubaix sportif reckons the Roubaix is a lot harder due to the cobbles, you have to try and maintain momentum over them or you grind to a near halt.
Good luck!
some good stuff here about pro rides
Koga: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/paris-roubai...
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/paris-roubai...
pinarello:ttp://www.bikeradar.com/racing/article/pro-bike-juan-antonio-flechas-pinarello-kobh-601-25665
cav's scott: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-mar...
to be honest, what you suggest sounds ideal. some uber comfy assos shorts would be nice too!
Koga: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/paris-roubai...
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/paris-roubai...
pinarello:ttp://www.bikeradar.com/racing/article/pro-bike-juan-antonio-flechas-pinarello-kobh-601-25665
cav's scott: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-mar...
to be honest, what you suggest sounds ideal. some uber comfy assos shorts would be nice too!
Planning on 2 pairs of bibs - 1 assos and one team kit, along with a bucket load of chamois creme.
Unfortunately a custom pinarello dogma is a little out of budget! Am going to check the tyre clearance on my TCR, reckon I can get 25s in there, which would probably do me - the only reason I am thinking a cross bike is because I will be out there a lot longer than the pros, so really massive tyres would probably be a good thing.
It is scarily easy to get down there, and dirt cheap to enter - really wish it hadn't been suggested to me now - trying to justify it because I need to get back to London to head down to Le Mans anyway - what's a little bike ride over some cobbles, eh?
Unfortunately a custom pinarello dogma is a little out of budget! Am going to check the tyre clearance on my TCR, reckon I can get 25s in there, which would probably do me - the only reason I am thinking a cross bike is because I will be out there a lot longer than the pros, so really massive tyres would probably be a good thing.
It is scarily easy to get down there, and dirt cheap to enter - really wish it hadn't been suggested to me now - trying to justify it because I need to get back to London to head down to Le Mans anyway - what's a little bike ride over some cobbles, eh?
Did the Sportive a few years back. Brilliant day. Rode my cross bike. People were riding everything really. Still remember sprinting with our bunch down the avenue to the stadium like loonies', sharp right into the velodome! Its run every 2 years. My pics here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02/sets/721...
I've heard that wedding rings can be a painfail nuisance on the Paris Roubaix.
Cancellara bike change in the Tour of Flanders - what a guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T25fqnRb-mU
Cancellara bike change in the Tour of Flanders - what a guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T25fqnRb-mU
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