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Gallery: Tech from Paris-Roubaix

published 7 April 2013

All the cobblestone tech from Paris-Roubaix

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The usual housing entry ports on Sep Vanmarcke's (Blanco) Giant Defy Advanced SL go unused here. Team mechanics instead run the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire into the underside of the top tube, right next to the rear brake entry point.(Image credit: James Huang)

One advantage of using a 'cross bike instead of an 'endurance bike' to gain the more relaxed handling and increased tire clearance for Paris-Roubaix is that the head tube isn't inordinately long.(Image credit: James Huang)

IAM Cycling uses shims to adapt round seatposts into its Scott Foil frames at Paris-Roubaix for a smoother ride.(Image credit: James Huang)

While everyone was paying attention to Heinrich Haussler's (IAM Cycling) Scott Foil that was lined up with the rest of the team bikes on the ground, we spotted his real cobbles bike - the one with the number plate - mounted atop the team car. (Image credit: James Huang)

Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) would tackle the cobbles on softer-riding 27mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars.(Image credit: James Huang)

Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) used Canyon's new Ultimate CF SLX at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Katusha appeared to be using FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars mounted on its Mavic wheels. (Image credit: James Huang)

Team leader Alexander Kristoff opted for the better braking of the Cosmic Carbone SLR's Exalith textured sidewalls.(Image credit: James Huang)

More Elite Ciussi aluminum bottle cages, this time on the Katusha team bikes.(Image credit: James Huang)

Lotto-Belisol riders tackled the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix on a mix of carbon wheels from Campagnolo.(Image credit: James Huang)

Lotto-Belisol's tires were conspicuously labeled with Continental logos but the tread pattern suggests it's actually a Veloflex.(Image credit: James Huang)

Lotto-Belisol looks to be using chain catchers from Canyon.(Image credit: James Huang)

A Selle San Marco Regale saddle and Deda's Superzero seatpost for Lotto-Belisol team leader Jurgen Roelandts.(Image credit: James Huang)

Lotto-Belisol team mechanic Frederik Moons zeros out the SRM PowerControl 7 computer for Jurgen Roelandts.(Image credit: James Huang)

Jurgen Roelandts' (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Fenix Classic at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

A new Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 11-25T cassette for Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling).(Image credit: James Huang)

Among the several hints that Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) wasn't planning to tackle the cobbles on this Scott Foil was this 39-tooth inner ring.(Image credit: James Huang)

Tacx Tao aluminum cages for the Europcar squad at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

2007 Paris-Roubaix winner Stuart O'Grady's (Orica-GreenEdge) new Scott Addict just before the start.(Image credit: James Huang)

Stuart O'Grady (Orica-GreenEdge) went with a 44-tooth inner chainring at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Double-wrapped bars for Orica-GreenEdge rider Stuart O'Grady.(Image credit: James Huang)

Orica-GreenEdge mechanics really wanted to make sure the team's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 junction boxes didn't fall off on the cobbles.(Image credit: James Huang)

The tread pattern suggests that Stuart O'Grady (Orica-GreenEdge) may have been riding on FMB Paris-Roubaix tires today at Paris-Roubaix…(Image credit: James Huang)

…while other Orica-GreenEdge riders were using 28mm-wide Continental Competition Pro Limited tubulars.(Image credit: James Huang)

IAM Cycling riders used a mix of Scott Foils and new Scott Addicts for this year's Paris-Roubaix. This is the bike Heinrich Haussler started on.(Image credit: James Huang)

While Scott's Foil gets a "Scott Aerodynamic Science" tagline, the new Addict right behind it gets a "Scott Innovative Technology Design" one instead given that it's not meant to be an aero machine.(Image credit: James Huang)

Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) started out this year's Paris-Roubaix on Schwalbe Ultremo HT tubulars.(Image credit: James Huang)

IAM Cycling apparently ran out of oversized SRM mounts.(Image credit: James Huang)

DT Swiss RRC Dicut 46 T wheels for Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) for the start of this year's Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Syncros carbon cages for Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) at the start of Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

53/46T chainrings for Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol).(Image credit: James Huang)

Movistar used Pinarello Dogma Ks - and the older KOBH 60.1 - for its run at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sky mechanics blacked out the logos on these Token chain catchers.(Image credit: James Huang)

An extra-padded fi'zi:k Arione Tri 2 saddle for Geraint Thomas (Sky).(Image credit: James Huang)

Double-wrapped bars, a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 satellite shifter, and an SRM PowerControl 7 computer for Sky's Geraint Thomas at this year's Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Usually when a company goes out of its way to put as big a logo as possible on a tire, that's a good indication that it's trying to hide something.(Image credit: James Huang)

Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) went with two layers of Lizard Skins' 3.2mm DSP tape for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

53/45T chainrings for Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) used a mechanical Campagnolo Super Record group at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Bianchi claims the 'Countervail' shear layer used in its new Infinito CV endurance bike attenuates vibration before it reaches the rider.(Image credit: James Huang)

Bianchi officially launched its new Infinito CV just three days before Paris-Roubaix but we spotted it at Ronde van Vlaanderen a week prior, too.(Image credit: James Huang)

A 42cm-wide (center-to-center) FSA Energy T aluminum bar and a carbon-wrapped FSA OS-99 stem for Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM).(Image credit: James Huang)

Juan Antonio Flecha's (Vacansoleil-DCM) Elite Ciussi bottle cages were attached with custom etched aluminum (aluminum!) bolts from Carbon Ti.(Image credit: James Huang)

A simple chain watcher for Juan Antonio Flecha (Vacansoleil-DCM) at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

FSA's new SL-K brake calipers were recently redesigned to work better on wide-profile rims.(Image credit: James Huang)

A subtle good luck charm for Geraint Thomas (Sky).(Image credit: James Huang)

27mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars for Geraint Thomas (Sky).(Image credit: James Huang)

A few wraps of electrical tape lend some extra security for the Campagnolo EPS battery and 'brain' on this Movistar machine.(Image credit: James Huang)

Selle Italia produces these clip-on logos just so its saddles can be made out more easily in images.(Image credit: James Huang)

27mm-wide Vittoria Pavé Evo CG tubulars for this Movistar rider.(Image credit: James Huang)

Movistar went with Elite's Patao aluminum cages for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

A fleet of BH G6s for the Sojasun team at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sojasun's aluminum box-section tubular wheels were conspicuously labeled as "Corima" but it only takes one look at the counterweight on the rim around the valve stem to know their true identity.(Image credit: James Huang)

Rarely seen Panaracer tubulars on this Sojasun team bike at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Double-wrapped bars and top-mount brake levers were common among the Sojasun squad.(Image credit: James Huang)

It's a Corima! Sorry, folks, no it's not.(Image credit: James Huang)

Saxo-Tinkoff's Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4s for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized's S-Wrap Roubaix tape is soft and grippy.(Image credit: James Huang)

27mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tires were use by the Saxo-Tinkoff team.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sky's Geraint Thomas set off from Compiègne on a Pinarello Dogma K.(Image credit: James Huang)

Juan Antonio Flecha's (Vacansoleil-DCM) new Bianchi Infinito just before the start of Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Ag2R-La Mondiale riders used Focus Mares CX cyclocross machines for their run at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

An AceCo K-Edge chain catcher for John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano).(Image credit: James Huang)

Blanco riders have said that the integrated seatmast on the Giant Defy Advanced SL endurance bike actually flexes so much under load that they have to adjust their saddle tilt to compensate.(Image credit: James Huang)

The Giant Defy Advanced SL of 2013 Paris-Roubaix runner-up Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco) came oh-so-close to his first Paris-Roubaix victory today aboard this Giant Defy Advanced SL.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco) rolled into the Roubaix velodrome on this 50mm-deep Shimano Dura-Ace front wheel…(Image credit: James Huang)

…but a shallow-section Shimano Dura-Ace rear wheel.(Image credit: James Huang)

A Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 7970 drivetrain for Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 7970 STI Dual Control levers mounted low on PRO traditional-bend bars for Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

The Paris-Roubaix course cheat sheet for second-place finisher Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco) looked to be running a Dugast Paris-Roubaix rear tire.(Image credit: James Huang)

A fi'zi:k Aliante saddle with k:ium rails for Blanco's Sep Vanmarcke.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sep Vanmarcke didn't have his Pioneer power meter installed but he's clearly been testing it judging by the special bottom bracket that's still installed here.(Image credit: James Huang)

John Degenkolb's (Argos-Shimano) rear brake is fitted with an additional inline quick-release to go along with the one that's built into the caliper.(Image credit: James Huang)

Felt's modified F-Series bikes for Argos-Shimano easily swallow 30mm-wide tubulars.(Image credit: James Huang)

53/44T chainrings for Ag2R-La Mondiale captain Steve Chainel.(Image credit: James Huang)

Ag2R-La Mondiale's Focus CX cyclocross framesets had plenty of room for bigger tires. While most teams topped out at 27mm, Steve Chainel used massive 30mm-wide Dugasts.(Image credit: James Huang)

Plenty of room to spare.(Image credit: James Huang)

Steve Chainel (Ag2R-La Mondiale) held on to double-wrapped bars and had supplemental top-mounted brake levers.(Image credit: James Huang)

Fulcrum's new Racing Speed XLR 35 wheels for Steve Chainel (Ag2R-La Mondiale).(Image credit: James Huang)

John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) raced Paris-Roubaix on a modified Felt F-Series machine.(Image credit: James Huang)

Felt's modified F-Series bikes for Argos-Shimano feature longer stays and a different fork to provide more tire clearance and a longer wheelbase for extra stability.(Image credit: James Huang)

Felt's F-Series frames don't normally have chain stays this long.(Image credit: James Huang)

A green SRM PowerControl 7 computer for Argos-Shimano leader John Degekolb.(Image credit: James Huang)

Felt's modified F-Series bikes for Argos-Shimano require the use of long-reach brake calipers.(Image credit: James Huang)

John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) gets his own logo on his special Felt F-Series for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) ran massive 30mm-wide tubulars for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

A double-clamp seatpost collar provides some extra security for the Argos-Shimano team.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sep Vanmarcke's (Blanco) front tire appears to be a 27mm-wide Dugast Strada.(Image credit: James Huang)

A single top-mounted supplemental brake lever for second-place finisher Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

Euskaltel-Euskadi's Orbea Orca at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Euskaltel-Euskadi's Orbea Orca has some impressive tire clearance in stock form given that these tires fit through the stays and forks. After comparing the brake pad positions on this bike and another team Orca at last year's Tour de France, it looks like no modifications have been made, either.(Image credit: James Huang)

This Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 7970 front derailleur is mounted awfully high, isn't it? Unfortunately, we didn't have time to ask why.(Image credit: James Huang)

Standard Elite Custom Race bottle cages for the Euskaltel-Euskadi team at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Double-wrapped bars and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 satellite shifter for Euskaltel-Euskadi rider Peio Bilbao.(Image credit: James Huang)

There's no sense in tempting fate when it comes to Paris-Roubaix, says Europcar rider Jerome Cousin.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sebastian Turgot's (Europcar) Colnago Cross Prestige for Paris-Roubaix. Nearly all of the team rode 'cross bikes this year.(Image credit: James Huang)

Double-wrapped bars and top-mounted brake levers for Sebastian Turgot (Europcar).(Image credit: James Huang)

The high-mounted straddle wire carrier on Sebastian Turgot's (Europcar) Colnago Cross Prestige at Paris-Roubaix probably yields a very firm lever feel.(Image credit: James Huang)

This rear tire is labeled as a Hutchinson but it looks an awful lot like a Dugast Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Sebastian Turgot (Europcar) replaced his usual 39T inner ring for a 42T one from TA Specialites for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Paris-Roubaix not only brings out unusual equipment but older stuff, too, as seen here on Sebastian Turgot's (Europcar) previous-generation Campagnolo Record rear derailleur.(Image credit: James Huang)

Interestingly, Europcar leader Sebastian Turgot opted for a Campagnolo Bora One wheelset for Paris-Roubaix instead of the higher-end Bora Ultra Two.(Image credit: James Huang)

A peek "under the hood" of Ted King's (Cannondale) SRAM Red 2012 DoubleTap lever. Two layers of tape plus a strip of gel make for a cushy bar.(Image credit: James Huang)

Cannondale riders were all on Vision Metron 40 carbon tubular wheels at the start of Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 brake calipers with Shimano's blue-compound carbon-specific pads for Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).(Image credit: James Huang)

The BMC GranFondo GF01 of four-place finisher Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).(Image credit: James Huang)

Fabian Cancellara's (Radioshack-Leopard-Trek) Trek Domane 6-Series (right) and Niki Terpstra's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4 rest quietly against the barrier after their brutal day at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

The Cannondale team's fleet of new Synapse Evo Hi-Mod machines lean up against the bus before departing for the start of Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Ted King's (Cannondale) FSA Wing Compact bars are double-wrapped in preparation for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

Cannondale team mechanics blacked out the logos on their 27mm-wide tubulars for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

The rear brake pads are maxed out in terms of reach on Cannondale's Synapse Evo Hi-Mods for Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

All of the Cannondale team bikes had their SRAM Red chain catchers bent forward like this. Team mechanics clearly feel it works better this way.(Image credit: James Huang)

FSA OS-99 stems with custom graphics for Ted King's (Cannondale) Cannondale Synapse Evo Hi-Mod.(Image credit: James Huang)

SRM's new locking mount provides more security on the cobbles than the old system.(Image credit: James Huang)

fi'zi:k Arione saddles with extra padding for the Cannondale team at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

An army of Elite Ciussi aluminum bottle cages for the Cannondale riders at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang)

A single zip-tie and a bunch of electrical to hold on Ted King's (Cannondale) number plate for Paris-Roubaix. Note the -17° stem, too.(Image credit: James Huang)

Europcar team mechanics cleverly attached this number plate right to the seatpost collar.(Image credit: James Huang)

This article originally published on BikeRadar

So far we've shown you the Paris-Roubaix bikes of Omega Pharma-QuickStep, BMC, Garmin-Sharp, and RadioShack-Leopard – and there are still more full-blown pro bike features to come. In the meantime, here's a look at some of the other bikes that took to the cobbles this year, including the Giant Defy Advanced SL of second-place finisher Sep Vanmarcke (Blanco).

Once again Mother Nature delivered clear skies and dry roads so the truly outrageous bikes were left in storage for another year. Most bikes weren't terribly different from what we saw at Flanders although some teams and riders did have to make some more major concessions in order to run the high-volume tubulars required for the more punishing French pavé.

While there was obviously no mud this time around, a few teams still saw fit to crack out the 'cross bikes – but only for the added tire clearance and more stable handling. As a side benefit, these teams didn't have to go to extraordinary means to achieve a rider's requested position since those machines generally aren't built with longer head tubes like so-called 'endurance' bikes.

Will next year's edition finally bring back the foul weather? Perhaps, but if not we've got a good idea at this point what sort of machines we'll see.

Enjoy our 120-image gallery and stay tuned for more techf rom Paris-Roubaix in the coming days.