Peter Sagan’s bike for Paris-Roubaix
Tinkoff team has switched to the Specialized Roubaix SL4, from the usual Tarmac, for Paris-Roubaix. That’s because the frame and fork allow space for the 30mm tyres the team is using, and because the geometry – longer wheelbase – and comfort features -Zertz inserts – make racing over the cobbled roads a little less punishing.
“Last year he had an issue in the finale, so he wants to go on mechanical this year,” said Tinkoff’s mechanic. “With Roubaix, there’s no guarantee against problems. Cancellara had a mechanical issue in Harelbeke using mechanical groupset. If you have bad luck it doesn’t matter if you’re on electronic or mechanical.
“The components are very similar set up to the road bike. The position is identical, it’s only the frame set that changes and the tyres.”
“The wheelbase is longer, to make it more comfortable for the impact,” Christophe Desimpelaere explained. “From the front axle to the rear axle is longer. Also there is more clearance in the fork and rear stay, because of the bigger tyres. These wheels wouldn’t even fit into the bike on Flanders frame.”
