CyclistTech Talk: Ive built the bike to win Paris-RoubaixThis article has been taken from a previous edition of tech editor Sam Challiss fortnightly newsletter, Tech Talk, which has a focus that hops between his thoughts on the latest kit to be featured by Cyclist and wider tech trends that people are talking about, or should be talking about. Clickhereto get Tech Talk directly to your inbox.Paris-Roubaix is my favourite race of the year. It isnt just because of the hugely unpredictable and exciting racing, but also because equipment choice has always been a unique conundrum. Optimise for 100km of smooth main roads, followed by 160km of winding farm tracks interspersed with 29 secteurs of brutal pav? Its an impossible equation that the tech nerd in me loves seeing the solutions for.Setups might have tempered from the wild designs of yesteryear (remember that prototype, full-suspension Bianchi that broke under Museeuw in 1994?), but even with todays ultra-capable equipment, the Paris-Roubaix pits remain a source of ingenious and non-standard kit selection.It does often get me thinking about how I would go about building a bike if I were to race Paris-Roubaix. Due to the restrictions of sponsorship agreements, entrenched team agendas and even individual rider superstitions, I think stones are still being left unturned. Im going out on a limb: I could put together a bike that suits the race better than any that will take to the start line on Sunday.Tyres are probably the most crucial part of the puzzle, so lets start with them. Id opt for something like Vittorias new 38mm wide Corsa Pro Controls. 38mm pushes things just about as large as they go without falling foul of the UCIs 700mm max wheel+tyre diameter rule. Early ultra-wide slicks had a bulkier construction than their narrower counterparts despite being named as the same tyre, but the latest crop are the same in construction, just wider. That helps mitigate the increase in weight, and if paired with the emerging tech that controls pressure on the fly, such as Gravaas KAPS system, they could be pumped up for the beginning of the race for a fast roll and let down when the cobbles start, for bump absorption, to get the best of both worlds. Its something that narrower tyres dont have the volume to do to the same extent. Admittedly, Gravaa has recently been declared bankrupt, but reports of interested parties looking to resurrect the brand plus with rumours of competing systems on the horizon as well mean I dont think well be without this technology for long.Lizzie CrabbId then mount those Vittorias on Zipps 303 XPLR SW wheels. The ETRTO might have something to say about that, but official compatibility issues aside, the wheels have the rim width to pair smoothly with wide tyres. Ive said since their release that the XPLR SW wheels would make better all-road aero wheels that they do gravel wheels (for reasons I delve into in my review), so this seems like an ideal application for them. I wont claim to know much about aerodynamics, but I at least understand that neat transitions between tyre and rim do generally result in cleaner airflow.Given the high speeds the race is ridden at, an equally aero frame is a must, but the width of tyre+wheel pairing Ive gone for rules out all road race frames. Therefore Id choose 3Ts RaceMax2, which puts together aero styling with wide clearances perhaps better than any other bike on the market.Gearing has to be 1x. Its considered to be more aero than 2x (having no inner chainring or front derailleur), and the races course accumulates next to no elevation, so gearing range isnt an issue. That being the case, Id opt for SRAMs Red XPLR AXS. For a while Id have had no choice; it was the only choice on the market as a wireless 13-speed 1x system. Campagnolo has since released its Super Record 13 family, which includes 1x options and means SRAM has competition in the category, but Id still lean towards SRAM.Campagnolo offers more cassette options and SRAMs single 10-46t block is perhaps overkill in terms of range, but its 13 sprockets still ensure adequate gear steps, and the large sprockets do at least mean you could run one of SRAMs huge aero chainrings for drivetrain efficiency gains. SRAMs rock-solid full-mount interface would hold up well in a cobbles crash as well. Related Posts Paris-Roubaix tech gallery 2025: 1x chainrings, Cervlo Soloist and Gravaa tyre pressure adjuster Big Ride: Flanders vs Roubaix Photo Essay: The brutal reality of Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix 2025 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch, start lists and history 3T offers its More integrated stem for the RaceMax, so thatll do there, then Id perhaps go left-field for the bars, using Profile Designs Canta model. The aerofoil tops, long reach and narrow width (they have been designed to push the limits of UCI rules) should coax some extra speed via a more aggressive body position.So there we have it: my Roubaix winning bike. Now I just need to find an extra 200 watts for my FTP and a WorldTour contract, and Ill have that cobble on my mantelpiece in no time.The post Tech Talk: Ive built the bike to win Paris-Roubaix appeared first on Cyclist.