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Pro Bike: Tom Boonen’s S-Works Roubaix

Tom Boonen is in the hunt for a fifth Paris-Roubaix title aboard a Specialized S-Works Roubaix

April 10, 2016 Dan Cavallari

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Paris-Roubaix — Tom Boonen takes to the Roubaix cobbles one last time on board Specialized’s S-Works Roubaix. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Electrical tape is for amateurs. A paint pen marks Boonen’s seat height. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — His Specialized Romin saddle has a cut-out to keep pressure off sensitive areas — an all-important feature over the teeth-chattering cobbles. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Boonen runs his saddle slammed as far back as possible to accommodate long femurs. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Zertz inserts on the fork and seat stays help dampen vibration before it hits the rider. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Roval CLX40 wheels mated to 28mm tires should make for some stable riding over the uneven pavé. Boonen will likely run fairly low pressures — 60-70 psi isn’t out of the question — to take some of the sting out of the cobbles. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Still plenty of clearance in there, but that could change if the course is wet and muddy. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — An 11-25 cassette provides plenty of push for the flatter parts of the course. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Up front, Boonen runs a 54/44 chainring combination in preparation for sprints and high speeds. A 4iiii power meter will keep track of Boonen’s watts. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Everything vibrates over the extended portions of pavé, so Boonen uses a K-Edge chain catcher to prevent dropped chains. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Check out the crank length. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — CeramicSpeed bearings are everywhere on race bikes at the Spring Classics. They’re supposedly smoother and stronger, and hub bearings roll faster to help save watts. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — After riders hit a section of pave, it’s not uncommon to see a litter of water bottles and computer head units strewn across the race course. Boonen hopes to avoid that with a K-Edge Garmin mount. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Many riders opt for double-wrapped bar tape for extra cushion. Even the most compliant bikes send vibrations to the handlebar, which can lead to muscle fatigue and blisters. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

Paris-Roubaix — Tacx water bottle cages wrap around the bottle for a snug grasp on otherwise-wayward bidons. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews

About the Author

Dan Cavallari

Dan Cavallari was the technical editor at VeloNews from 2015 through 2020. Before that, he was a writer and photographer, a high school English teacher, and a longtime bicycle mechanic at shops between Maine and Arizona. He lives outside of Denver, Colorado and loves knobby tires, good bourbon, and guitars.

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