I hadn’t planned to ride them every day. In fact, I had planned to only ride them once and let other people ride them. But, genius that I am, I forgot my ceramic brake pads and had to source some new ones which was a maddeningly difficult process given that Europe observes something in the neighborhood of 363 holidays per year.
I was more than a little apprehensive, to be honest, of riding a lightweight set of carbon wheels down the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix – let alone on three separate occasions and two days on the kasseien of Vlaanderen. At long last, I got my hands on some brake pads, but then my hopes of riding my Golden Tickets died with the harp hiss emitting from Stefano Museeuw’s back when when he took my FMB-clad Nemisis through a hole big enough to lose him in. One thing for sure, the young talent has the “Look Pro Stop at the Side of the Road in Disgust” nailed. I suppose it helps when you’ve got the Lion of Flanders as your dad and mentor.
But truth be told, the Cafe Roubaix Arenberg wheels were amazing to ride, especially on the tarmac. On the cobbles, they were noticeably less compliant than my box-rim tubs, but they more than made up for it in speed and featheriness on the tarmac bits. And that is the element we so often overlook about Roubaix: we identify so heavily with the 50km of Pavé, but we so easily forget there are 200km of tarmac to deal with as well – which is why Museeuw ultimately lost to Tchmil aboard his ill-fated Bianchi “Throne”. When judging a wheel, all these aspects must be weighed against one another.
One thing of note, however, is that on the roughest secteurs of pavé – in particular the Trenchée and Carrefour – I found it more difficult to discover my rhythm than I did last year. Could it be that the lightweight wheels bounced too much and spent too much time going up rather than forward? I find that notion easier to digest than the notion that there was something amiss with my riding.
I proclaim this knowing full well the wrath I’m sure to receive: even for the enthusiast, the carbon wheel is the future for every discipline of cycling. While my Ambrossios are much more lovable in terms of nostalgia and good-old-fashioned hardman looks, the strength and stiffness of the Roubaixs outmatched the classic box-rim of the Nemesis in every respect from weight all the way down to trueness. On the other hand, three-cross bladed spokes on a deep-dish rim are a real bitch in a Flemish crosswind.
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@RedRanger
I have no doubt, whatsoever, these products are fine technology. I do indeed envy their capabilities.
But...can anyone list the MSRP of each?
I feel much the same about the current craze involving electric shifting. It sure is spiffy. But "worth" the cost? Dunno. I will give a nod to some of the new tech involving disc brakes.Bike wheels have been designed around using the mounting surface as a brake surface for a long long time. I am curious to see what changing that will do to wheel design and the resulting change to Bike Systems integration. I am mostly in @Frank's camp on being skeptical of the need for brake improvements - my calipers provide me plenty of stopping power, are simple to maintain and inexpensive.
Bike Systems integration, and the Rides selected are *all* about prioritization.
For all you Apple devotees unable to look out the window
@strathlubnaig
heheee. Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, no bridges or tunnels for the quick pint meet and greet? Get to work over there.
@ped $2.99 to tell me what i should be wearing? you've got to be fucking kidding
@G'rilla
Go into the Merrion Inn in Sandymount, and ask for a pint and tell them to put it on Steampunk's tab. I worked there in 1994. It should be fine.
Is Frank agreeing with Velosnooze??? Or is there something I'm missing between the commentaries....
It pains me to think they have have the same POV. I have to be missing something... please....
@RedRanger
At the bespoke Bristol show today they had a steel frame all carbon component bike....that's an entire carbon group set! Weight? 4.5kgs!!!
@Gianni
As I was out riding my bike I've only just noticed this - there's no bridge but there is Ruinair. However due to issues with Mrs Engine and "that fucking bike" my chances of making Dublin tomorrow are the same as my chances in the Amstel Gold - that is none.
However for future reference all fully paid up Velominati should be aware that I'm 40 minutes away from two ruddy great international airports and any disorientated 'Mercuns are always welcome provided they bring their own shoes pedals and helmets.
@xced
I'll do it for $2.00
@teleguy57
Well...we still love the golden tickets more.
@Cyclops
That can't be right because even on the AG2R team alone there were half on Ambrosios, and our photos of the trench show a solid proportion - 10-15% I'd say - on box-sections.