Defending Paris-Roubiax champion Niki Terpstra's Specialized S-Works Roubaix - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Although the frame and components are thoroughly modern, the handlebar bend is decidedly old school - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Many teams prefer alloy handlebars as they are perceived to be less likely to break in a crash - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
28 is the magic number for Paris-Roubaix. Although a clincher was one of Specialized's first products back in the day, getting WorldTour teams on the company's tubulars is a relatively new thing - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The Specialized Chicane is a modern interpretation of an older Regal-like style. Terpstra uses the 155mm width - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Etixx-Quick Step is sponsored by FSA, which does not yet have road derailleuers or shifters. Terpstra has 53/46 rings for Paris-Roubaix - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
177.5 cranks for the big man - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Specialized's Zertz viscoelastic inserts have been the calling card of the Roubaix since its inception - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The Zertz' shape has changed over the years, but Specialized's claim about the vibration-damping function has remained the same - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
K-Edge has three small but critical pieces on the Etixx bikes. This is the small company's chain catcher - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The K-Edge XL mount can handle any Garmin Edge unit, from the little 500 up to the massive 1000. Being metal, it offers a rock-solid connection for the computer - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
This K-Edge number plate will hold the enviable number 1 come Sunday - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Specialized likes to name its carbon fiber types. Here, that would be Fact IS 11r - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
As with the tubulars, Specialized has been pushing Quick Step to ride its wheels for years. For 2015, that became a reality - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
You and I mark our saddle height on the post with electrical tape. Etixx has other options - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
A black sleeve encases the rear brake cable and a Di2 wire for a clean look - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Specialized's OSBB joins with the FSA K-Force Light crank via this adapter - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
On Friday Niki Terpstra and his Etixx-Quick Step teammates rode critical sectors of Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix course, a longstanding reconnaissance tradition made special for the returning champion.
“The feelings today were really good on the cobblestones,” Terpstra said of riding his Specialized S-Works Roubaix. “It was nice to be back. I have good memories of course. It was good to get a feel for Sunday.”
In 2014, Terpstra was riding in support of team leader and multi-time Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Boonen. Boonen is out with an injury this year.
This year Terpstra is co-leader of the team along with cyclocross star Zdenek Stybar and Stijn Vandenbergh.
Standing 186cm (6’1"), Terpstra has some similarly large figures for his Roubaix bike: 28mm Specialized tubulars, a 155mm-width Specialized Chicane saddle, 177.5mm FSA K-Force Light cranks, and 53/46 FSA chainrings.
Take a look at the gallery above for a closer look at Terpstra’s Roubaix for Paris-Roubaix.
This k-edge number plate will hold the enviable number 1 come sunday: this k-edge number plate will hold the enviable number 1 come sunday
The K-Edge number plate will be holding the enviable #1 come Sunday, as Terpstra trusts his 28mm Specialized tubulars to see him through the pavé
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
