2017 'PRO' cycling discussion.

[Kjetil]

I never really got why lwb bikes have to handle slow. Seems to be de rigeur, though, at least from US manufacturers.

[tymon_tm]

His "test rig"

this bike looks so 90's (except for the discs) it makes me wanna wear my Mapei winter jacket today

[Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez]

I like the classic lines

Looks like a Trek 5.9 ssl

[Tomstr]

Why are he and Sagan running/promoting 160mm discs in front? They look like XTR discs.

[Kjetil]

Seems like industry and UCI are landing 160 mm (and thru axle) as standard.
A Spesh that doesn't look like a Spesh. And if that's a CBL-GBLR (or whatever) 2.0 post it sure is an improvement in the looks dept.

[maquisard]

Slow handling is a plus for Paris-Roubaix. Roubaix-specific bikes always have longer chainstays and typically also more fork rake (to increase front center) for this exact reason.

You mean something like this?

[mattr]

4 chains and more toe overlap than a clowns bike.

[Nefarious86]

160mm is the UCI declared Standard for neutral support, Boonen is still using a 140 rear in that picture but I imagine that will chance once neutral spares are an issue. The seat post looks like an SL4 Tarmac era S-Works post, presumably due to the fact there is 0 chance of the saddle angle changing on a big hit like can occasionally happen with the single bolt type clamps.

[Marin]

They are using 160mm because 140mm up front means less braking power than most rim brakes, and that's something even the least tech-savy customers can detect in a parking lot test ride.

[Fiery]

I never really got why lwb bikes have to handle slow. Seems to be de rigeur, though, at least from US manufacturers.

Tight wheelbase and super sharp handling can be sketchy on cobbles, especially if they are wet as well. That's my experience at least, and I've only ever ridden the smoother (or less rough) Flanders cobbles.

[Calnago]

That sure is a rather level top tube for a Roubaix. Has anyone seen a new stock Roubaix in a larger size to compare. I'm thinking this might be a custom frame, with some of the headtube chopped down to make room for the spring on top and still get him some drop that he likes. But then they'd still have to make it available to the public, unless that UCI rule has changed.

[ultyguy]

I hate to say it but Ewan will have an Abdoujaparov face plant at some point due to a bad piece of pavement etc. I hope he comes out of that ok but it's only a matter of time.

[Calnago]

@Ultyguy, I agree with you, his saving grace being that the roads on the run up to the finish in any of the races he is likely to be in will probably be in pretty pristine shape. Still... it hurts to think about the consequences of a slight mishap or change in balance for any reason.

[petepeterson]

yaassss boonen got rid of the seatpost, halfway there.... That bike would look amazing with a slammed stem.

[rideintospace]

yaassss boonen got rid of the seatpost, halfway there.... That bike would look amazing with a slammed stem.

The stem can't be slammed the way that bike is put together. Specialized moved the vibration damping to the headset spacer rather than the zerts things they used to stick in the forks. Search 2017 specialized Roubaix and you'll see