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The 2023 cobbled classics season has come to an end, and as we head into the Ardennes, this gallery brings to an end our Holy Week tech coverage.
In this gallery, we look at some of the drivetrains, shifting options, and pure randomness of Paris-Roubaix.
A large number of both pelotons are now opting for 1X chainrings in Paris-Roubaix. The teams tout the improved chain retention with the narrow-wide tooth profile and the claimed aerodynamic improvement from ditching the front derailleur and an extra chainring as the motivation behind this move. It also just makes sense – if you are in the small ring at Roubaix, you are probably not in the race anymore. Almost the entire Uno-X Pro Cycling men’s squad had opted for 56-tooth rings from British manufacturer Pyramid Cycle Design. Interestingly, the women’s Uno-X squad stuck with their standard 2X setups. In a very un-Stavanger Stallion-like move, Alexandre Kristoff was the only Uno-X rider not on a 56 and instead opted for a 54 from PCD. Many of the SRAM equipped teams opted for either 52T or 54T 1X chainrings.Anthony Turgis was using a 56-tooth D2Z (Drag 2 Zero) 1X setup with an XTR Di2 rear derailleur. The French classics specialists likely opts for the mountain bike derailleur because it includes a clutch to help reduce chain slapping and improve chain retention. Jumbo-Visma taking no chances, wisely so. Whatever the tech, it is only ever a smaller piece of the puzzle. A 1X probably tests for Roubaix in all sorts of ways. But both winners rode 2X. This is Alison Jackson’s 53/39 2X chainring combo. Matej Mohorič went 2X or is that 2XL with these 55-42 chainrings. Satellite shifters are pretty common in today’s World Tour peloton of zip-zap shifting. But many riders seem to change their placement for the Hell of the North. Mads Pedersen opted for this very central location, which, at least in my mind seems within easy reach of an index finger wrapped around the tops. The mechanics typically use Gorilla glue, two-part epoxy, or silicone. Probably best not to try this at home, though, given the SRAM Blips are not rechargeable and removing them could take a chunk of carbon with it. SD Worx are using the wired Blips.Somewhere under or behind the tops seemed the most popular and logical position for the traditional on-the-tops riding position over the cobbles, as demonstrated on Zoe Backstedt’s Vision Metron bars. Amalie Dideriksen went satellite free despite the integrated satellite shifter ports on the tops of Dare’s Aero1v bars. Audrey Cordon-Ragot opted for the almost standard rearward-facing on-the-tops Blips. One of the more interesting satellite shifter locations. Jasper Philipsen putting the sprinter in sprinter shifters. Shane Archbold opts for a behind the tops shifter, but more interestingly …… he was the only rider in the peloton this year running cross-top brake levers. Archbold came down in the big crash at Flanders, injuring his wrist. The cross-tops were fitted to give him every chance of getting through Roubaix. Roubaix is tough enough, but starting with a wrist injury must have been an ominous thought. Mylène de Zoete of Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling had some extra grip on the Dura-Ace levers for Roubaix.Mads Pedersen had no extra grip, just the usual very thin layer of bar tape. Pedersen reportedly does not run double wrap bar tape at Roubaix because he considers it wasteful extra weight. I do hope he was having a laugh. Imagine winning Roubaix and having this helmet design spoil the winning photo forever, amen. There are a few ways to do the stem sticker. Cramming all the details onto one tiny sheet is always going to prove difficult to read on the go. Matej Mohorič has a fantastic solution. On first impressions, it seems he has just opted for less detail and clutter, but the Slovenian has actually opted for a “tear-away” style solution. Mohorič has details on the first 15 sectors on a top strip. This top strip is taped over a second strip with details on the final 14 sectors of the race. Mohorič can tear off the top strip after the 15th sector with the loose flap just visible at the bottom of the top strip. So simple but so genius. The Israel-Premier Tech team seemingly had every Look cleat-compatible pedal option on the market on show across their team bikes. There is the Look Keo Blade Carbon, as you might expect. The Keo Max or Classic The Garmin Rally RK power meter pedals (Look compatible)And, finally, the Favero Assioma Duo power meter pedals. Wahoo Kickrs with a bit more colour for team Lifeplus-WahooZoe Bäckstedt is using the Speedplay Zero Pave pedals her father Magnus used when he won Roubaix in 2004, five months before Zoe was born. Escape’s Jonny Long covered the pedals in an article published during race weekend. We don’t see many Gebiomized saddles in the pro peloton, fewer still with Gebiomized branding, but that’s exactly what Teniel Campbell uses. Gebiomized is German bike fitting specialist who offer both bike fitting tools for professionals along with saddles, insoles, and TT elbow pads for riders. “Multiple power sensors found.” I just couldn’t not include Johan Museeuw, fascinated by the podium bikes.
