Paris - Roubaix Sportive

Gravel king 28s or pave 27?

The only way to solve this is a race!

I found some off cuts of bar tape I'm going to use to thicken across the tops. Chain catcher is coming via Amey and that should be be done.

What bike are you riding?

Cooper cx

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Very nice!
You have Hope 25’s, Do you find the tyres hard to get on/off!?
I’ll be on this;

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Yep absolute bitch .

The route is up
http://www.parisroubaixchallenge.com/en/the-race/Route

All of these arrived today;
Chain catcher
Insulated Gilet
Tape (still not sure how/ if I’ll tape my hands)

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Are you double-wrapping?

I honestly have no idea what I’m doing.
I was thinking I’d wrap my wrists lightly.
I’ve been advised to tape my hands but no specific techniques or idea as to what do was imparted...

I know the route was posted by them, but ti didnt seem very wahoo/ garmin friendly so I have translated the longest one and marked all the pave sections as cue sheet points and also the refreshment stops https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26984801

Top work! I’d started but only got as far as importing!

V. useful - thanks..

We will be doing a personalisable (name, time etc) rider print of the sportive this year - similar to the Pro ones we have done before (see below). Drop me a line if anyone wants one and we'll sort of some LUFGUSS discount..

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Cobbled sections all identified etc

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Still umming and ahing over what to ride for this... I’ve got the option of ti or an old 531 with a modern group... I’m also mid-way through a wheelbuild which could debut for the pave... if I go with DT Swiss R460 then I could run tubeless but I’m wondering if cutting my teeth in a foreign land is wise, I’ve started to think that 30mm Challenge Strada might be a good option but not 100% they’ll fit the ti bike otherwise it’s 27mm open pave ftw!
Still need to pick up a chain catcher and replace a cracked saddle...
Has anyone looked at the weather forecast yet? It’s slightly beyond my technical capabilities 🙃

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Tape at least your wrists, tight (some movement)
Here is a pic from Wiggo's last Roubaix where Luke Rowe did better than him.

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Luke+Rowe/2015+Paris+Roubaix+Cycle+Race/px-YizD2F2A

I would also do a light wrapping around the thumb like a boxer, but don't tape the knuckles.

Good work, I'm considering stripping out all the cues except the pave sections, as I'm thinking the route will be marked but it'd be handy to know if you have time to eat before the next section??

Oh, another tip, pop electrical tape on your bottles. You can do it with one bottle as the stops are well supported, however tape will keep your bottle in your cage over the cobbles.

A few of us seem to be having this dilemma, think I'll go for the Pave myself.
Mainly due to the fear of the unknown!

Silly question, can you use C02 with Latex tubes?

I’ve no experience of this myself but I can’t see why you couldn’t... might be one for the likes of @amey

Only being able to fit 25's means I don't have to worry about tyres I guess. Will definitely be double taping bars and taping wrists/fingers.

I was going to run with my Zondas but have just realised how worn the brake track is so will have to look at a new rear wheel. Any recommendations on a chain catcher?

One of those cheap dog fangs on mine .

They decent? They just band on under the front mech right?

I can’t understand why the other type are £20+ ?

Ta, will have a look.

Yeh just a band with a bit of a hook . Nothing complicated needed really . Moving back to tyres again i am reading mare stories of challenge open Strada bianchi tubular tyres blowing off the rim . 30 mm width sounds great but they have lousy puncture protection .

Don’t, I’m currently spending waaaaaay to much time thinking about tyres!!