Race tech: Bits and bobs from Paris-Roubaix

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-120720 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/21/2019/03/1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77.jpg?quality=90&resize=461%2C600" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Quick Step weren't the only team riding Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL2 bikes" title="1239707997366-829bllr58lhr-a931d77" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Quick Step weren’t the only team riding Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL2 bikes James Huang

BikeRadar’s technical editor, James Huang, was in France to cover Paris-Roubaix. While he was there, he checked out the kit in the team pits.

We’ve already covered Astana , the Cervelo TestTeam and the various types of bikes chosen by different squads. Here’s the best of the rest.

Click on the thumbnails on the right for more images.

Saxo Bank Quick Step weren’t the only team riding Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL2 bikes. Saxo Bank’s machines were fitted with Specialized S-Works carbon cranks with bigger inner chainrings, Speedplay’s special Paris-Roubaix pedals, Gore sealed cables and housing, and handmade Ambrosio tyres.

Columbia-Highroad Team Columbia-Highroad’s bikes looked to be only slightly changed, with different rear dropouts and standard seatposts instead of the usual integrated masts. Some riders passed over the box-section aluminium tubulars in favour of more aggressive deep-section carbon wheels. Most of the Columbia-Highroad riders were on Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 but a couple were on 7900.

Liquigas Liquigas riders used Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod frames for Paris-Roubaix this year. The slightly curved seatstays and modestly flattened chainstays supposedly make for a softer ride. Manuel Quinziato added a single top-mounted brake lever to his Paris-Roubaix machine, along with deeper-section carbon wheels from Mavic. Campagnolo provided their Paris-Roubaix teams with special 53/44T chainrings.

BMC BMC split their riders between the Racemaster SLX01 and Pro Machine SLC01 frames. Frames were supposedly bone stock but Easton provided special forks with wider crowns for extra clearance. BMC were among several teams using Speedplay’s special pared-down pedals. The squad were also running tight 11-23T rear cassettes and reinforced Continental tubulars.

BMC split their riders between the racemaster slx01 and pro machine slc01 frames at this year’s paris-roubaix: bmc split their riders between the racemaster slx01 and pro machine slc01 frames at this year’s paris-roubaix James Huang BMC split their riders between the Racemaster SLX01 and Pro Machine SLC01 frames

Cofidis Cofidis ran Look 595 frames – we’re guessing they were on the slightly softer Origin version – with what looked like slightly longer rear ends than usual. Some Cofidis riders ran supplemental brake levers while others went without.

Cofidis ran look 595 frames – we’re guessing they were on the slightly softer origin version: cofidis ran look 595 frames – we’re guessing they were on the slightly softer origin version James Huang Cofidis ran Look 595 frames – we’re guessing they were on the softer Origin version

Others Wiggins was also running o.symetric chainrings on both his primary and spare bike: James Huang Garmin-Slipstream rider Bradley Wiggins had a snazzy new K-Edge chain watcher on his spare bike. Wiggins was also running O,symetric chainrings on both his primary and spare bike.

Ag2r-La mondiale set out on bh carbon bikes: ag2r-la mondiale set out on bh carbon bikes James Huang Ag2r-La Mondiale set out on BH carbon bikes fitted with 10-speed Record components and FSA SL-K Light cranks rebadged as K-Force Light.

Euskaltel looked to be on their usual orbea orcas: euskaltel looked to be on their usual orbea orcas James Huang Euskaltel looked to be on their usual Orbea Orcas, with FSA ceramic bearing bottom brackets, Dura-Ace cranks and Vittoria tyres.

Shifting on the tops doesn’t get any easier than on this skil-shimano bike fitted with a supplemental set of shift buttons: shifting on the tops doesn’t get any easier than on this skil-shimano bike fitted with a supplemental set of shift buttons James Huang Shifting on the tops doesn’t get any easier than on this Skil-Shimano bike fitted with a supplemental set of shift buttons.