There are worse conundrums to have but i’m doing the Paris Roubaix sportive (170km) this year. Im pondering what kind of bike set up to have although i know in reality it probably wont make ‘that’ much difference (I am training though, which will make more difference than bike choice).
Anyway, i could use my road bike and convert my spare wheels to tubeless and maybe with air liners (30mm max clearance). My worry is its too aero aggressive and might be a pain after all the cobbles and miles. Im also a bit worried since it has ultegra di2 its probably the most expensive to damage. Pros: its the lightest and “quickest” and looks the best SPD SL pedals
Gravel bike; can fit 40mm tires but currently have 32mm pathfinders on (tubeless). Cons are its a bit heavier and only 1x11 but since its a flattish course then im not super concerned. Has slightly longer cranks on than i’d like but i cant afford to change them as <165mm SRAM cranks aren’t easy to find. SPD pedals
Cross bike; can fit 35mm tires and has 33mm terreno dry tires on at the min. Its lighter than my gravel bike and its position might make it preferable for tackling the cobbles. Its still only 1x11 though. Might run airliners with this too. Has a more suitable crank length for me SPD pedals
All in all, i know it is much of a muchness but for what its worth…has anyone done it, what bike etc? Or what do you think makes the most difference, realistically i think only airliners are a sensible option for rim protection/comfort and wont totally break the bank? The cobbles will be hard work but i’ve ridden in Belgium before on the cobbled climbs etc and managed ok on 28mm tires. I just like to overthink I could look at what the pro’s use but i dont think that would help much either lol.
I’ve done it 3 times on 3 different bikes; road with 28s, gravel with 38s and cross with 35s, all tubeless. Gravel was 1x and the heaviest, but the most fun and would be my go to if I was going to do it again; I won’t be.
The Roubaix cobbles are horrible and significantly more difficult than the worst sections in Belgium.
I’ve only ridden it once, on my gravel bike but with 32mm road tyres on
Above all else you want to maximise comfort, it’s difficult to describe how brutal the cobbles are, especially when doing the 170km route - I was fairly comfortable up to around 100km and the Arenburg, after that they really started to bite. I’ve done Flanders twice - the Roubaix cobbles are far worse
So wider tyres, extra bar tape, padded gloves all worth considering
I thought the zertz and shock stem of the Specialized Roubaix was a joke, but watching riders go through those cobbles, I totally got it. Any flex would be better than none. Maybe consider a shockstop stem and seat post? Redshift has all their stuff on sale right now.
EDIT: They aren’t super cush, but do take some of the edge off, better than nothing…
I have horrible cobbles where I live and on my aero road bike this just feels horrible. Plus, I did get a nasty, info able flat and had to take the bus home. I’d definitely want 35+ mm tires and think about tire inserts to protect my rim. I’d likely consider even wider tires.
but i’m doing the Paris Roubaix sportive (170km) this year. Im pondering what kind of bike set up to have although i know in reality it probably wont make ‘that’ much difference (I am training though, which will make more difference than bike choice).
SPD SL pedals
I could look at what the pro’s use but i dont think that would help much either lol.