Carbon wheels at Roubaix

[LegendRider]

Interesting series on the development of Zipp wheels for Roubaix by Josh Poertner at Silca (previously with Zipp):

http://silca.cc/blogs/news/17998268-road-to-roubaix-part-1

http://silca.cc/blogs/news/18010540-road-to-roubaix-part-2

http://silca.cc/blogs/news/18010556-road-to-roubaix-part-3-we-just-invented-the-future

[joosttx]

After riding PR this year I am convinced that quick accelerating aero carbon tubular wheels are the way to do it on the cobbles.

[bcroslin]

"This is similar to the effect of why increasing air pressure can make you slower on rough roads, rather than the tires absorbing the imperfections in the road, the bike is being lifted or rather bounced over the bumps. A tire bottoming on the rim dramatically increases the spring rate of the system causing the bicycle to bounce off of the cobble which can cause loss of traction, discomfort and loss of speed."

This. I never run more than 105-108 in either of my tires even though I'm rated up to 120 psi. There's so much to be said for being a little more comfortable and not riding a bone shaker when doing long fast rides.

Great piece - thanks for pointing it out.

[jr59]

good read.

thanks for posting

[ceolwulf]

Fascinating. Thanks for the link.

[azrider]

I started running my clinchers at 90psi couple years ago as result of some of the 'chatter' i've read around here.....pun intended

[Gordito]

First rider with deep carbon wheels was George Hincapie if I'm not forgetting anyone.

The year his fork steerer broke

[Johnnyg]

First rider with deep carbon wheels was George Hincapie if I'm not forgetting anyone.

The year his fork steerer broke

that was a result of a crash earlier in the race as I recall, not wheel related.

[sand fungus]

Thanks for posting. I guess I might have to go lower than 90 psi on my 28s :)

[Black Dog]

Thanks for posting. I guess I might have to go lower than 90 psi on my 28s :)

Try 70-75 psi. Fast and smooth...:cool:

[sfscott]

Reading lots of rcommended pressures. What adjustments should be made for heavier riders on varying sizes?

[Andreas]

Reading lots of rcommended pressures. What adjustments should be made for heavier riders on varying sizes?

try this for a start (http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf)

[sfscott]

Very cool. Thanks!

[Gordito]

that was a result of a crash earlier in the race as I recall, not wheel related.

Yup, I wasn't making a relation on the failure, just for the year reference

[FlashUNC]

There's that apocryphal tale that Museeuw's mechanics had to glue his valves shut on race day, otherwise he was constantly trying to take more air out of the tires.

[Lionel]

After riding PR this year I am convinced that quick accelerating aero carbon tubular wheels are the way to do it on the cobbles.

Yep! Already studying the market for next year here :) Chavanel was on prototype DT Swiss tubeless carbon wheels this year with some new 30mm Schwalbe G-One.

http://www.matosvelo.fr/index.php?post/1457/le-velo-de-sylvain-chavanel-sur-paris-roubaix-cyclo-cross-et-tubeless-30mm

[redir]

That's all very interesting but us cyclocrossers have known about pressure for a long time now :)

[ergott]

Yep! Already studying the market for next year here :) Chavanel was on prototype DT Swiss tubeless carbon wheels this year with some new 30mm Schwalbe G-One.

http://www.matosvelo.fr/index.php?post/1457/le-velo-de-sylvain-chavanel-sur-paris-roubaix-cyclo-cross-et-tubeless-30mm

I've been preaching road tubeless for bigger tires for a while now. The Secteurs in 28 give me what I seek. Would definitely use that if I were able to get over there and ride those roads. 60psi and I glide over most.

[blasdelf]

I've been preaching road tubeless for bigger tires for a while now. The Secteurs in 28 give me what I seek. Would definitely use that if I were able to get over there and ride those roads. 60psi and I glide over most.

I've settled on ~50psi in my tubeless Schwalbe One 28s

of course they actually measure 29.5mm on wide rims