"PRO" Cycling Discussion

[euan]

back to tech, one thing stuck in my mind - Dariusz Baranowski (a former pro for Banesto and USPS) said during the Paris-Roubaix Eurosport coverage something about certain teams using the double tire technique - like putting one tire (a clincher?) onto the other (a tubular?). does anyone have a clue about such a thing?

I think this is unlikely given current tyre tech. However it used to be an old school winter training thing for extra puncture protection. You used a tubular tyre in a clincher instead of a tube.

[maquisard]

Yeah, double tire technique is as Euan states. The rolling resistance would be awful!

Teams in the past used to have special stashes of 5yrs+ old tubs for special races that were stored in cool, dark conditions to make the rubber 'better'. However I never heard any decent explanation as to the science behind this and it certainly doesn't seem to be the case nowadays.

[nathanong87]

anyone see this throw in the forest of arenberg?! who was the rider? impressive throw!

https://24.media.tumblr.com/450892325ad ... r1_500.gif

[DartanianX]

Gregory Rast! He had another go again after this too. Remember seeing it when watching it live. Should be footage somewhere on youtube.

[Kermithimself]

A good reason not to ride with a POC helmet in Paris-Roubaix

[KWalker]

KWalker,

there are races, and there are races. there are classics like PR, and there are classics like Amstel. from what you say, Wiggo has the potential to claim them all - i simply do not accept that for even a slightest possibility. as for the history, one might argue who actually won a given race - the rider or the team. or maybe both, but then - in what proportions?

there are cyclists, who can (could) be competitive without a strong team - McEwen comes to mind. and there are those who require the entire's team effort - like Petacchi. IMO Wiggins falls into the second bracket - does this make him less of a cyclist, no. he won the Tour after all. but it says something about how he is on the bike. i guess time will tell though - i for one won't bet my money he wins anything anytime soon.

No, I am saying he has a chance on the flatter cobbled races- mainly Roubaix, Omloop, and perhaps Flanders.

[petepeterson]

3 things:

- Love that bike tossing is becoming a thing

- What sunday illustrated so perfectly about Wiggins is that when he is motivated for a goal he can compete with the best over almost any course. AS KW said; motivation is the thing. Personally I really appreciate that well rounded ability. Just curious, when was the last time Froome finished in the front group of a single day race?

- LLS on Boras with FFWD stickers.


*source: http://www.manualforspeed.com//wp-content/gallery/pv-01-a/manualforspeed_paisvasco_stage1a-1.jpg

[trychle]

You forgot the 4th thing:

- Interesting holding technique..

[KWalker]

specialized stem on that bike as well

[CeCa]

How is Danish juniors so strong ? Last 3 winners of Paris-Roubaix juniors is from Danish ! this year they managed to do 1-2. Can someone explain this?

[Kjetil]

^^^D. Millar. Dapper with POC hair too.

[munk93]

@CeCa
I'll bet you are a dane. It's pretty normal for danes to brag about something like this.
I think Magnus Bak said it in a interview after PR U19. The danes are more focused on winning as a team, while some other riders are more focused on winning by themselves. (Thats what he said) I can't speak for other nationalities, but I've ridden against Roskilde Junior, which were the best U19 clubteam in 2011 and 12. (Maybe also 13). They had 1 or 2 riders who were probably among the 5 best in the world, but they often had +5 guys in top 10 of the races they participated in. And this transferred into the national team, because they always had 3-4 guys on the national team among with the best 2 guys from other teams. So they could also work very well together on the national team. But both the U19, and the U23 guys seems to flop at the WC roadrace. Except for a U19 silver medal last year.
Short answer is teamwork. I would love to see teamwork like Roskilde displayed, in the world tour, but I don't think it's possible. It's on another level, where you can't get away with such tactics.

[xena]

"What sunday illustrated so perfectly about Wiggins is that when he is motivated for a goal he can compete with the best over almost any course"

Wiggins is a top rider but he never takes the race on. If you have good legs,,,use them. It's pointless at the end of the race saying I had good legs when you have lost or even did not try a move.
You have to be aggressive and take your chance to win a classic. Sky rode to conservative.
It could be that they are just not strong enough to drop the likes of Big Tom and co?

[Roel W]

I've a question about the gear of last sunday's Paris-Roubaix:
Not so long ago (2, 3 years), bike manufacturers did a lot of modifications to their frames and bikes for Paris-Roubaix:
- using extended dropouts for a longer wheel base and more rake and tire clearance (like Giant did and also other manufactuers of single mold carbon frames)
- riders were using either low profile rims (Ambrosio Nemesis) or wide body carbon rims like Zipp Firecrest, Bontrager,...
- some manufacturers made special alloy bikes with special geometry like Canyon

Nowadays, everyone is riding off the shelf frames without any modification. I know frames like Specialized Roubiax, Trek Domane, BMC Granfondo and Cannondale Synapse are specially build for cobblestones but what about teams riding standard Canyon Ultimate SLX frames, or Giant TCR, Bianchi? Why are they using standard frames nowadays?
Why do a lot of teams ride Bora rims which have the older V-shape which is extremely stiff and uncomfortable?

[xena]

Sagan is riding a custom frame. Size 54 with a 58cm top tube.