Team Sky's Geraint Thomas reveals some of the bike setup secrets that Team Sky made to their Pinarello Dogma K bikes ahead of last weekend's Paris-Roubaix in this video just uploaded to his personal Youtube page.
The team ride Pinarello's Dogma K, the bike designed for the rougher roads with a longer wheelbase and increased tyre clearance compared to the regular Dogma. The team have also fitted Shimano Di2 satellite shifters to the centre of the bars, so they can more easily change gear when riding in the tops, the favoured position for tackling the cobbled roads.
Gearing gets changed for the race, switching to a 46t inner chainring. Because there is virtually no climbing on the course they don't need a 39t, so the larger inner chainring gives a better option to the larger 53t chainring when the going gets tough. They use an 11-25 cassette.
The team run 27mm FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular tyres. As with most teams, tyre pressure is a closely guarded secret, but team mechanic Gary Blem does let on that it is less than 5 bar. That's about 72psi. The tyre pressure will vary from rider to rider though depending on preference. Choosing tyre pressure is one of the biggest concerns for the race. Although the cobbles demand a softer tyre, there is far more smooth road in the race where a softer tyre could be a compromise.
14 thoughts on “Geraint Thomas talks Paris-Roubaix bike setup with Team Sky mechanic + video”
Cool stuff, enjoyed that.
Cool stuff, enjoyed that.
I look at the frame and keep
I look at the frame and keep seeing the word Dogmuk. Shame.
Nick T wrote:I look at the
Funny, I see the word DogmaK when I look at the frame
Yes yes, it was a pun on the
Yes yes, it was a pun on the slightly unfortunate naming convention rather than my opinion of the frame itself btw.
Why can’t I put on bar tape
Why can’t I put on bar tape like that?
Tovarishch wrote:Why can’t I
Do as many sets of handlebars as he does in a week and you’d either get good or get fired…
Meanwhile, G: good rider, not such a great presenter!
Having watched Eurosport for
Having watched Eurosport for a while it seems to be a theme…..it’s probably all the many miles sat riding a bike on your own.
Why can’t I put on bar tape
Why can’t I put on bar tape like that?
I still can’t get over
I still can’t get over Geraint’s pedalling technique, it’s so smooth……eerily smooth.
Would have helped sound
Would have helped sound quality if they had switched off the compressor. A similar set up would be ideal for Northumberlands crap roads methinks.Always disliked putting on bar tape, but always got the job (the other spanners were bmx/mtb bods) 🙂
Ha, out for a ride on the
Ha, out for a ride on the aforementioned Northumbrian lanes this afternoon and……………pothole pinch puncture !! Which set me thinking about the sub five bar pressure, please bear in mind this is only really advisable on tub and sprints setup. The dratted inconvenience was diluted by every one of a dozen or so cyclists asking if I had all I needed to get going again. 🙂
bikecellar wrote:Ha, out for
You don’t need tubs, just wider clincher tyres. They let you run lower pressures quite happily – I’ve been running about 70psi in some 28mm tyres I’m currently running and they’re ace. Of course a 28mm tubeless tyre is the ideal setup to avoid pinch punctures, and of those I’m a huge fan
Yes I ride 28mm road or 35mm
Yes I ride 28mm road or 35mm cross tyres on my winter hack bike at 60psi but although I no longer race I am still using up stock of michelin pro race 3 23mm tyres during summer on racing bike which does not have clearance for anything wider. 🙂
I’ve been getting blow outs
I’ve been getting blow outs with my new Kinesis CX wheels and 35mm Continental tyres. I finally worked out the wheels had been fitted with rim tape that was too wide. Never had that problem before and thought I share it.
But nice little video and a cracking ride by G last week. I hope he bags a big win in the next couple of years (and avoids crashing!)