Paris Roubiax Tyre choice

captainbeefheart

Hello

I've been roped into this sportive in June and am wondering if people have suggestions of tyre size/brand/model would be best to survive the cobbles?

I've got steel frame and forks from Planet-x (Kaffenbach) and some hand built wheels from Harry Rowland so I only really need to look for some tyres now

Any suggestions welcome.

Regards

beef :shock: :? 8) :x :P :oops: :roll: :twisted: :evil: :evil: :twisted: :roll:

mrushton

Generally the Pro teams run a larger tyre either tubular or clincher. T-Mobile used to use 700 x 28 Contis. The obvious choice is the Vittoria Open Pave, specifically designed for the Classics in Belgium. Only available in green (but there was a ltd edition in black 2 years ago), this is the tyre that CSC have used in winning Roubaix for the last two years. It's a 700 x 24 and v.comfortable and fast rolling (there is a tubular version). The Specialized Roubaix tyre also comes to mind. 700 x 23/25 ie a 23 width but a 25 tread so maybe clearance issues here and they do a deluxe version which is about £50

4candles

I used 23mm Michelins on the occasaions i've ridden the course there is no need to go above that tyre size.. IHMO.

Monty Dog

I've use Michelin Krylions in 25mm both times I've ridden it and never had any problems with grip or punctures. Any seasoned ride is going to use a fatter tyre run at lower pressure - those in the know drop it down to 75-80psi to get less 'bounce' from the tyres - with a narrower tyre, there's more risk of a snake-bite.

preeby

Conti GP 4-Seasons, 25mm - I've never ridden P-R, but these tyres worked well in Flanders for me !

buspassman

The year Magnus Backstedt won, both he and Roger Hammond were on Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX's, and neither had a puncture all race. I've been using them for the last three years, and never had a puncture myself on them

redddraggon

Stuart O'Grady used 27c Vittoria Pavé tubulars on his R3 when he won P-R last year.

Croxted Avenger

I've done the sportive before and used panaracer stradius sport TGs in 700x26. The front end is far more of an issue than the rear - with that in mind this year I'll be using a schwalbe marathon 28 on the front and a panaracer 26 on the back. Tyre pressure at the front is critical as after 7 hours of Pave/ Tarmac / Pave your fingers, palms and lower arms will be screaming at you.

All this talk of 23's...fine if you're Boonen and rattling across Mens en Pevele at 50kph skipping over the surface but for mere mortals you'd be off yer heed to go so narrow imho. :!: