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TECH NEWS
pbp bikeWhat bike for Paris-Brest-Paris? As 1,200km randonnée gets underway, we look at the bikes being ridden
It’s one of the biggest and most famous long-distance cycling events in the world, and it started at the weekend. It’s Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1,200km randonnée that truly challenges stamina and mental fortitude.
It’s also a big test for equipment, which is why you see a wide assortment of bikes being ridden at this event, from aero race bikes with minimal luggage to fully laden touring bikes, fat bikes to recumbents and more at the more bizarre end of the spectrum.
That is the beauty of events like this, there is no perfect bike. It’s entirely down to personal preference, and there’s a lot of personalisation on show. Here’s a round of some of the most interesting bikes as shared by Twitter and Instagram.
The circus has come to town. #ParisBrestParis pic.twitter.com/675MsaueN7
— steve abraham (@steve_abraham74) August 17, 2019
Which would you ride?
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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12 comments
Thanks for putting this selection together, some lovely bikes.
I was also amused to note that the Transcontinental Winner Fiona Kolbinger is doing B-PBP as a bit of light relief after the TCRNO7, which ended in Brest - presumably not totally accidentally.
as well as being part of PBP, Brest is the start/end point for 3 of the Diagonales, being one of points de l’Hexagone, so I think the TCR ends there not because of PBP, but for the same reason.
Thanks for this; good bit of cycling lore.
What's that crazy looking saddle on the Trek in the first pic. I see some other bikes have it as well. And I couldn't understand the Hillborne either - it's not an especially large frame
Think they are part of Team Preparation H.
One common theme is the onward march of Bikepacking gear, pretty much unknown before the last PBP. Also no representation in this selection for the regulation AUK Brits with steel (or Ti) frames, Carradice rackpacks etc.
There are a couple of Carradice-style handlebar bags in that selection. I tried to pick as wide a variety of bikes as I could from social media. Obviously would love to be there to ride it and photograph the bikes myself. Maybe the AUK Brits don't do social media?
Some fantastic bikes there, great to see such a variety
Wonderful. Certainly a broad church. Can't imagine doing all that distance on a fatty, or a Madone
What's the design thinking behind the double top tube on the Hillborne? Or the front end setup on the Victoire?
//
there are some beautiful close-ups of the Victoire bike on their Instagram account.