How new are disc brakes to the pro peloton? So new that mechnics haven't yet pulled off the safety stickers - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Direct Energie rode discs for the first time at Scheldeprijs, with all but one rider on Shimano hydraulics - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The speed of wheels changes is but one of several questions surrounding disc use in the pro peloton - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Di2 shifting isn't a new sight in the pro peloton — but Shimano hydraulic braking certainly is - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Thomas Boudat was the lone rider on rim brakes for Direct Energie - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Vittoria supported six teams with tires at Scheldeprijs. This Pavé, once a very common sight, is being replaced by most teams - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The new graphite-based Corsa tire was being used by many teams in a 25mm width. The 28mm version will come out for Paris-Roubaix - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Continental remains as popular as ever the pro peloton, with six teams aboard the German brand's product at Scheldeprijs - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Francaise des Jeux looked to be getting ready for Roubaix with four riders using Shimano's climbing switch. Perhaps the name should be 'switched' to cobble changer? - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Fizik's new Aliante color scheme looks just fine for a French champion - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Roompot Oranje Peloton had the whole team on discs for Scheldeprijs - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Roompot has seen more action than any other pro team with hydraulic brakes - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
AG2R has been using SRAM eTap for some time - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
A typical Scheldeprijs set-up for a team leader: mid-depth front and ultra-deep rear - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Teams get creative with Di2 junction box placement - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Look's aero bars require an ovalized Garmin mount - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Etixxx busted out a few Venge ViAS aero bikes for the pancake-flat race - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The Venge has its own integrated Garmin mount that neatly integrates Di2 - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The ViAS front brake is effectively a substantial fairing - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Sam Bennett went big for Scheldeprijs on wheels and gearing - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Bennett came to battle for the win - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
You have your own top cap too, right? - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Bora Argon 18 was one of many teams on Vittoria's new Corsa tubulars - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Giant-Alpecin's Nikias Arndt went for Giant's Propel, while other teammates opted for the TCR Advanced SL - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
More triathlon-inspired anatomic saddles are finding favor in the road peloton these days - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Lots of sensors and magnets going on here, between the Pioneer power meter and the Giant cadence/speed sensor - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Team Sky rode a mix of Dogmas and K8s - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
While most teams raced 25mm tubulars, a few 28mm back-ups were found on team cars - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Dimension Data had a fun mix of stem set-ups - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Mark Cavendish tucks his Di2 junction box well off the stem - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
ENVE has a tidy integrated Garmin mount on Cav's bike - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Yes, but you don't have two back-up bodies on the team car… - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Tyler Farrar's preferred monster stem and mount - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Not all pros have fancy name stickers. This is Nick Dougall's bike - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Dougall doesn't have a fancy — or any — top cap for his desired position, either - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Everything about Andre Greipel and his gear is big, including the 35mm Deda bars - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Team Katusha is racing SRAM eTap groups, but with blacked-out Rotor rings. For Scheldeprijs, Alexander Kristoff used a 54/46 ring combination - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Katusha has a few different configurations for SRAM's Blip satellite eTap shifters - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Unlike Di2 buttons, which can be nudged from the side, Blip satellites require a direct press, like an elevator button, because the trigger sits within a cylinder - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
AG2R's Gediminas Bagdonas raced with the big Garmin Edge 1000 — with a leash, just in case - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Bagdonas also used Blip shifters, wrapped in electrical tape - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
AG2R's Jesse Sergent keeps it relatively simple for data on his Edge 520 - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Sandwiched between the cobbled classics of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, the pancake-flat Scheldeprijs often plays host to a strange mix of road bike gear as some riders go for the win and others use the event to test equipment for the upcoming cobbles. This year that schism was exemplified by the presence of hydraulic disc brakes mixed in with 80mm aero wheels.
Pro Continental team Direct Energie rolled up to the start line in Antwerp, Belgium with all but one of their riders on 160mm Shimano hydraulic discs. Days before, Lampre-Merida became the first WorldTour squad to run all discs in a major road event. Pro Continental is the division below the top-tier WorldTour. Pro Continental team Roompot-Oranje Peloton has been using SRAM hydraulic brakes off and on this year as well, starting with 160mm rotors and shifting to 140mm recently.
Direct energie rode discs for the first time at scheldeprijs, with all but one rider on shimano hydraulics: direct energie rode discs for the first time at scheldeprijs, with all but one rider on shimano hydraulics
Direct Energie jumped on the disc bandwagon ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Francaise des Jeux seemed to be getting the cockpits Roubaix-ready, with four riders using the big Shimano Di2 climbing switch that mounts on the handlebar next to the stem. Some riders favor this satellite shifter for the cobbles as it allows you to shift with your hands on the top. It can be configured to shift the front or the rear, but most opt to use it for the rear derailleur.
In terms of tubulars, nearly all riders raced 25mm models. With the stones of Paris-Roubaix looming just days ahead, a few 28mm tires could be found on spare bikes atop team cars. Vittoria is clearly making a big push with its new Corsa tires with graphite, with six teams using those tires, the same number of teams as using the popular Continental.
For wheels, most riders used either 40, 50 or 60mm aero wheels, with some like Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) opting for ultra-tall 81mm hoops. The sprinter Bennett was clearly focused on the win on the race at hand, not Paris-Roubaix, with a massive 55t solid Vision chainring on his Argon 18.
You have your own top cap too, right?: you have your own top cap too, right?
Sam Bennett didn't come to Scheldeprijs to test Paris-Roubaix gear; he came to throw down, with an 81mm rear wheel and a 55t front ring
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk