Now you’re just a Roubaix bike I used to know

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This weekend is the zillionth edition of the men’s Paris-Roubaix, and the fourth women’s event. The drivers are making their last minute preparations for the race, and the weather looks favorable for Sunday. The weather looks warm, which means the cobbles will be dry…and fast. Also, there will be chicanes before the craziest part of the race.

Today, bicycles are relatively simpler for racing. The choice of chain and cassette is tinkered with, or bar tapes and wheels, and there are always special bikes revealed. This year, some riders will be able to adjust their tires on the fly. Mathieu van der Poel did well with essentially his stock bike. The need for weird, specialized bikes is gone. No more suspension. Just lower the tire pressure.

In past years, there have been some radical bike choices. Legend has it that in the old days, the mechanics would complain on the weekend, as the riders had so many requests, from the double bar tape or the prototypical suspension fork that required a last minute DIY.

Here is a list of some of the wild rides of others.

1. RockShox by Gilbert Duclos-Lasalles

In 1992 and 1993, French rider and teammate of TdF winner Greg Lemond, would use suspension forks to take the win. Although he was not the only one to do so, he was one of the few to win over them. Note that the mechanic would have to swap out the regular Delta brakes for an old Cobalto caliper to fit the fork.

2. Johan Museeuw’s dual suspension Bianchi

In 1994, the Belgian would ride one of the most spectacular bikes seen at Roubaix, a custom double-suspension Bianchi. Although he won the race in 1996 year with the dominant Mapei team, in 1994 he finished 13th.
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h2>3. Steve Bauer’s super-relaxed Eddy Merckx

In 1993, Canadian superstar Steve Bauer, riding for Motorola, was riding a particularly distinctive bike. Also known as the “Chopper bike”, the ride had such extreme geometry that it looked like he was pushing even harder with his legendary thighs. Although the Fenwick Flyer didn’t quite match his best result since 1990, where he was beaten by just a hair, he still finished a respectable 23rd.

4. Greg LeMond’s Grip Shift Lock

The American was always at the forefront of technological advances in cycling. From aerobars to Oakleys, helmets or carbon fiber, LeMond was always trying to find ways to go faster. Over his storied career, LeMond had many great Roubaix results, even if a victory eluded him.

In 1994, he installed a Grip Shift that would control the rear suspension. Although this type of technology would become common on mountain bikes, at the time for a road bike it was unheard of to have it on a road bike. I could turn on the suspension on the pavement, then close it on the faster asphalt sections.
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h2> 5. Cannondale Silk with Headshock by Mario Pieri

Although many of the riders who used front suspension opt for Rock Shox, Cannondale sponsored riders roll with their proprietary option. From the late 90s to the early 2000s, you often see Saeco classic riders using a road bike equipped with a Headshok.

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