"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Wheels/ Tires for Webster Roubaix

The Webster Roubaix road race is coming up in a couple of weeks. It's on a 15k circuit with 3k of hardpacked dirt each lap. (although I wonder how sandy that "hardpacked dirt" may be.) Trying to decide on the right wheels and tires. My options are:1) Zipp 404 clinchers (pretty stout wheels, and I can use the PT);
2)Zipp 303 tubulars (added flat resistence of tubulars, but they're brand new and I don't want to trash them.);

3)borrow my wife's Kysersiums (hey what do I care if I trash them, they're not mine.)

4) Pick up a set of Open Pro/ Ultegra 32 spoke wheels ( I wouldn't mind having them for very occassional light touring anyway).


Next is the tire question, if I go with clinchers, 23c or 25c?

Any of you done a road race on dirt roads? or familiar with this course?

"don't race it if you can't afford to replace it."

So, I'm doing a Roubaix in about a month and I had some similar questions. It's really more about tires.
Are Conti 4000 Gp's okay for a roubaix? I've also got a pair of Hutchinson Comp's.

I think the GP 4000's would be ok. However, if you do flat in the rough section, your race is essentially over. I may get a set of Gatorskins. Looking at reviews they're very flat resistent, and the rolling resistence is not that high.

I'm also thinking 25c might be nice for handling in the dirt section, particularly if it's a bit sandy.

Get some 25c Krylion Carbons and you'll be set.

Get some 25c Krylion Carbons and you'll be set.
they seemed to be priced pretty well also. Guess it can't hurt to pick up a pair and put them on the winter/spare set.

Pro2Race FTW!

Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase - pretty bulletproof tires, and they roll pretty well. Not real expensive either, if I remember right, and easy to get on and off wheels.

Pro2Race FTW!

+1, and please, for god's sake, don't use the zipps :)

Or *do* use the Zipps, but take lots of pics! :D

i have a set of the pro race2s in 25mm for the tandem. they are much bigger than the 23s and larger than a set of conti 28 and avocet 28s. i would look for a set of those and run the 404s. or maybe you could find a really cheap set of tubulars and look for some big sewups, since i seem to see those wheelsets on ebay all the time

Pro2Race FTW!
Really? I thought the Pro Race 2's were great for asphault but get cut up really easy and wouldn't be as good in a roubaix. Or was that the older pro race tires?

They should be fine in a roubaix. I ride my pro2's on dirt/mud/gravel pretty often.

They should be fine in a roubaix. I ride my pro2's on dirt/mud/gravel pretty often.
Hmm, in other words I'm probably okay with the tires I have and don't need to spend any more money. Or is that blasphemy? ;)

Hmm, in other words I'm probably okay with the tires I have and don't need to spend any more money. Or is that blasphemy?

You're a straight blasphemer after that comment, but yeah, I ride vittoria rubino pros on drit and gravel all the time, never any problems except maybe accelerated wear and tear.

My vote woudl be the Vittoria Open Pave tires, 24mm width. They are still fast, but have great grip in some loose stuff. I use the tubular verison for spring races.

My vote woudl be the Vittoria Open Pave tires, 24mm width. They are still fast, but have great grip in some loose stuff. I use the tubular verison for spring races.

+1

I don't use the tubies, but the clinchers are damn near bulletproof. I race them in the rain and have never had an issue.
A good set of 28 or 32 hole hoops with these tires and you won't have a problem.

I have ridden the course twice. One time we did 5 loops at race pace down the dirt section. You can easily run your Zipp404's. I'd run 25's, just 'cause I like them, but the rest of the guys had 23's and had no problems at all. It's not that bad of a road. Good hardpacked with a few ripples at the end.

If you are trying to compare this to true cobbles like in Europe, there is no worry there. The races will bust wide open, but don't worry about equipment. Just run your normal RR setups.

How are the enterence and exit to the dirt section? I'd guess that part is gonna be pretty dicey in the pack.

Andy

It is a 90 degree right hander onto the dirt, that has some loose stuff, but plenty wide. The road then goes from 2 lanes wide about one lane wide after the first k or so (3k total of dirt). There is one left hand turn halfway down, just after the s/f line. Easily negotiable, but it will make it tougher for those near the back, as the slowing will give the accordian effect for the stragglers and put them even further back. The end of the dirt turns a 90 degree right back onto tarmac and is the roughest section as well. The last 400 meters of dirt has some ripples and a few holes, but nothing to overworry equipment choices over. The edges of the road are mostly gras and I expect people will be bumped out and/or passing on the sides at times. The fun part will be the race to get to the dirt and then positioning as the dirt road narrows to one lane. I expect small groups finishing, so large pack finishes on an 8 foot wide dirt road shouldn't be an issue.