I see you Roubaixed your bike...

[Jacomus-rides-Gen]

Eh?

I was confused by this statement/question thingy when the guy said it to me.

When I asked what he meant he said - Roubaixing a bike is making subtle comfort changes to it characterised by:

> Minimising the height diferential between saddle and bars, usually by turning your stem upside down (like me) or using an adjustable stem to raise their height.

> Using bigger tyres than normal i.e. 25c and above (I've got 25c P2Rs)

> Hoods in a "handshake" position, i.e slightly lower than the tops of the bars - it apparently encourages frequent position changes because it isn't good for descents, but good for slight inclines and encourages you to use the drops or tops to cruise.

> Saddle in the middle of its rails, to maximise flex under load, and thus comfort.

> Running a tripple.



I've never heard of this before, and am wondering if anyone else has? I did all the things above on purpose, and for the very reasons stated, but I've never known it to be called "Roubaixing" a bike. :?: I have just made the changes because I have bugger all flexibility, and have read lots of bike fit guides and am trying to get my bike to fit me as best as possible.

They guy was clearly a keen cyclist because he noticed all this while I was waiting for my buddy to arrive where we were meeting. His wife arrived in the car and he left before I could ask more questions. I noticed him checking my bike out, and he just sparked up about "Roubaixing"!!

 

[Tim Bennet.]

If the bikes all set up there's no real reason not to give it a go. Best day out you can have.
http://asso.nordnet.fr/vcrcyclotourisme/Site web/Paris Roubaix Cyclo/PRx2008Francais.htm

 

[monnet]

Roubaixing - it's not a common term by any means, and I'm guessing what he means but I wouldn't say he's criticising your set up. I'm guessing that he's refering to Paris- Roubaix, known as 'The Hell of the North' the pro race that is run over some terrible terrain in northern france. For the ride most of the riders add fatter tyres, double layers of bar tape and generally anything that will make the bike more comfortable when riding over cobbles the size of bread loaves.

 

[monnet]

If it helps to further illustrate the point, Specialized make 'Roubaix' frames and 'Tarmac' frames. The 'Roubaix' is a more relaxed, comfortable geometry mainly designed for long distance, cyclosportive type riders. The Tarmac is a more aggressive, less comfortable race orientated geometry.

 

[monnet]

Like Tim says, follow the link and have a go.

 

[Jacomus-rides-Gen]

LOL, there is no way I am ready for the hell of the north.

He made it clear that he wasn't criticising my set-up, I was just confused that he would call it Roubaixing. I quite like the idea behind it and might adopt the term, though I would have thought if I have done anything along the lines of "Roubaixing" my bike I have "Audaxed" it??

Although... just typing that has given me a thought - after all, I just have a comfortable geometry roadbike, but its not equipt to take guards or a rack of any sort.

I like it! Does anyone else own a Roubaixed bike??

 

[Tim Bennet.]

I like it! Does anyone else own a Roubaixed bike??

Although I've never heard of the term before, my bike was quite definitely roubaixed before the last running of the cylosportive two years ago.

I went with 25c Michelin Pro Race and some of the Specialised Phat handlebar tape. I also got some new bottle cages with the 'gel' grippy bits to make sure my bottles didn't come out on the pavé and bring someone down. Apart from that, I got Paul Hewitt to give my (his) wheels a once over, fitted a seat post with a bomb proof adjustment head, wore my thickest pair of shorts (Assos Mille) and went for it.

The bike might have been ready but nothing can prepare you for the moment when you hit the cobbles for the first time. 'Kin hell it's rough! On some stretches you think you've worked out the best combination of gear and speed to make it bearable, but then the next stretch chucks all your theories back in your face.

But when you ride into the velodrome in Roubaix without even a puncture, let alone a single mechanical problem, the feelings of satisfaction and joy are overwhelming. Because of all the history and the fact it is so different to anything else in your normal riding life, I rate it better that many other sportives including the Etape etc. It's also different to PBP, but my piece of pavé here on the desk is the one trophy I would rescue if the place caught fire. A great day out and really accessible to riders in the south of Britain. Lots of people go there, get it done and back home all in the weekend.

 

[Tynan]

regardless of what he said he was calling you a gay girl, fact

laughing at you all the way home

 

[Rob S]

Eh?

I was confused by this statement/question thingy when the guy said it to me.

When I asked what he meant he said - Roubaixing a bike is making subtle comfort changes to it characterised by:

> Running a tripple.!

The Paris Roubaix is as flat as a pancake and the crank used is more like a 53-46 or 47 than a triple. Tell him 'Ahh I see you've Derek Trottered your brain'.

'Roubaixing' your bike should mean wrapping your frame tubes in a thin thermal material, fleecy on the inside, smooth on the outside

 

[gkerr4]

I seem to have "roubaixed" my bike!

Oh hang on - no - it's just a plain old roubaix

edit - actually - it's not that plain... :-)

 

[craigwend]

Explains what the KAISER CHIEFS are singing about


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMDcOViViNY

 

[bonj2]

by 'hoods in a handshake position, slightly lower than the tops' do you mean instead of a lot lower, or instead of a bit above the tops?
When i initially set up my drops I had them in what i would have assumed to be the most comfortable position for cruising on the hoods, but that was crap for descending, as i couldn't reach the brakes. I then moved them down, so the brake levers are pretty much vertical and the head of the release tension gear changer is about level with the furthest forward part of the drop's curve. if that makes sense.
i have the saddle as far back as it will go, normally, but don't think i've experimented with it further forward much with the hoods like this, although it's pretty comfy as it is.
my stem's a 105mm and hardly got any angle on it I don't think so inverting it would make hardly any difference...
and i have got a triple of course.