Boonen’s goodbye bike: Pro-only front suspension for Paris-Roubaix

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-311042 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383" width="295" height="383" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Boonen's new Specialized Roubaix race bike with a pro-only frameset and spring" title="boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Boonen’s new Specialized Roubaix race bike with a pro-only frameset and spring Ben Delaney / Immediate Media

Tom Boonen’s name and photos have been plastered on the roads, stores, restaurants and hand-held signs across Belgium and into northern France all week, as the cobble-racing legend prepares to retire after his final Paris-Roubaix Sunday. Here is a look at the bike he will race from Compiegne north to the aging outdoor velodrome of Roubaix.

Specialized Roubaix 2017 overview – all you need to know Defending Paris-Roubaix champ’s Kangaroo cobbles bike On Monday, BikeRadar reported on the pro-only edition of the new Specialized Roubaix that Boonen raced at the Tour of Flanders, and which world champion Peter Sagan raced Wedesday at Scheldeprijs . The immediately obvious differences to the consumer bike are the long-and-low geometry, the direct-mount brakes and — if you put a hand on it — the stiffer spring in the Future Shock suspension cartridge underneath the stem.

At closer inspection, Boonen’s extreme geometry is also noteworthy, too. For instance, 38mm center-to-center handlebars for a 192cm / 6’3″ man?

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-311042 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Boonen's new Specialized Roubaix race bike with a pro-only frameset and spring" title="boonen-final-paris-roubaix-2-1491599446838-179lsaj4xkqz2-35b32cd" data-source-name="Ben Delaney / Immediate Media"> Boonen’s new Specialized Roubaix race bike with a pro-only frameset and spring Ben Delaney / Immediate Media Specialized Racing’s Chris D’Alusio explained to BikeRadar today that Quick Step and Specialized worked together to test a variety of different springs for racing on the cobbles. The final product was a stiff, progressive spring that ramps at both ends of the travel; it’s harder to initially engage and harder to bottom out than any of the three stock springs, but relatively softer in the middle of the 20mm of travel, like a parabola.

The hits from the cobbles are so jarring that the stiffest of the stock springs bottomed out too quickly, D’Alusio said.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-311053 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="The Future Shock suspension cartridge sits atop the head tube, and the springs can be changed to tune the ride" title="boonen-final-paris-roubaix-3-1491599446841-g5v4ddzpi9t9-b2af45e" data-source-name="Ben Delaney / Immediate Media"> The Future Shock suspension cartridge sits atop the head tube, and the springs can be changed to tune the ride Ben Delaney / Immediate Media Boonen has Specialized’s new Hell of the North tubulars in both 28mm and 30mm, but it is not yet certain which width he will race.

The Shimano Dura-Ace direct-mount brake calipers on the Roubaix offer plenty of clearance for the fat tubulars.

The consumer models of the new Roubaix are all disc brake bikes. Normal UCI rules state that bikes must be approved by the UCI and available for sale to the public in order to be sold. Specialized representatives said that since this new pro-version bike is only a change in brake type (and geometry), that the UCI was okay with it.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-311134 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Specialized said the UCI is okay with them making a different version of the Roubaix for team riders" title="boonen-final-paris-roubaix-26-1491599446961-eamjuiuwvdnx-a9883e7" data-source-name="Ben Delaney / Immediate Media"> Specialized said the UCI is okay with them making a different version of the Roubaix for team riders Ben Delaney / Immediate Media Team members also said that the primary driver for using rim brakes for Paris-Roubaix is so riders can get a quick wheel change anywhere on the course — from team cars, neutral support, roadside mechanics or even fans. Punctures are common at the rough cobbled race, and the top riders don’t want to chance getting caught out with a potentially hard-to-change disc wheel.

Check out the gallery above for a closer look.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-311121 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Do any of your friends ride long cranks *and* narrow bars? Probably not" title="boonen-final-paris-roubaix-21-1491599446935-12f99ipjpoyph-2cc2b74" data-source-name="Ben Delaney / Immediate Media"> Do any of your friends ride long cranks *and* narrow bars? Probably not Ben Delaney / Immediate Media