Road Bike Racing - Trek 5200

Hi there,

I just got (friday) my new Trek 5200 bicycle...
I rode about 150 km with it and I must say
it's an amazing piece of technology.
However, there are still some questions that are
concerning me. Since I live in the neighborhood of
the trajectory of the famous 'Ronde van Vlaanderen'
(Tour of Flanders), a lot of my rides include the
cobblestones. Does anybody know how well the
bike can resist these 'inconveniences'? The frame
is not going to fall apart from rushing over these
stones, I hope?

Regards,
H.

Since I live in the neighborhood of
the trajectory of the famous 'Ronde van Vlaanderen'
(Tour of Flanders), a lot of my rides include the
cobblestones. Does anybody know how well the
bike can resist these 'inconveniences'? The frame
is not going to fall apart from rushing over these
stones, I hope?

The frame will be fine and theoretically carbon-fibre can handle repeated vibrations and shock longer than frames made of any other material. However, the component I'd be worried about are the wheels. You may end up having to retrue them often if they're not strong enough to handle the punishment of the cobblestones. I don't have any experience with the durability and toughness of the Bontrager Race Lites (assuming you have stock wheels and that the Euro model of the 5200 is spec'ed the same as the US) so I can't really say one way or another. The guys who ride Paris-Roubaix are usually running upwards of 32mm wide tyres (at around 85PSI) on at least 32-hole (probably double-cross in front and triple-cross in back) box section rims.

The frame is not going to fall apart from rushing over these stones, I hope?

:D No. The frame will take it, but the rest of the componentry (like Khuon said: especially the wheels) and, of course, the rider, will suffer. Expect everything to be shaking madly (don't shift too often on the kasseien) and to see water bottles flying around.

Enjoy the rides! I hope to meet you in the Ronde of 2005 (the one for 'tourists', that is, on the day before the real road race).

The guys who ride Paris-Roubaix are usually running upwards of 32mm wide tyres (at around 85PSI) on at least 32-hole (probably double-cross in front and triple-cross in back) box section rims.

I would say that 25mm tyres are wide enough... 85PSI may suit some; others (like myself) tend to think that that is insufficient pressure to prevent pinch flats.

Yeah, but the Pro's are running tubulars, so pinch flats are almost non-existant

[QUOTE=Bruco] ... of course, the rider, will suffer. Expect everything to be shaking madly (don't shift too often on the kasseien) and to see water bottles flying around.

Yeah, I know it's hard on those stones. Practically all of my tours include
some notorious zones like 'Wannegem-Lede', 'Mater' and the 'Steenbeekdries'...
Evidently, there is also the 'Koppenberg', 'Paterberg', 'Taaienberg'... Since my
old bicycle (steel frame) didn't feel so stiff anymore on climbing these steep
hills, I decided to get a new one. I didn't plan to get the Trek 5200, but since
I could buy it for a great price, I couldn't turn the offer down. I think this
bike is going to give me even more fun than I already got from cycling. Especially in this lovely environment... I could recommend all cycling fans
to try these roads. Indeed, 'De Ronde' for tourists is superb, I participated in
2003 and, although quite hard, it's a great tour.

Regards,
H.

Practically all of my tours include some notorious zones like 'Wannegem-Lede', 'Mater' and the 'Steenbeekdries'... Evidently, there is also the 'Koppenberg', 'Paterberg', 'Taaienberg'...
Sheer poetry! :D


Indeed, 'De Ronde' for tourists is superb, I participated in 2003 and, although quite hard, it's a great tour.
Cool! Yeah, I sort of anticipate the Suffering already. First, the Ronde is quite early in the 'season' (beginning of April, right?). Then I will not be particularly 'peaking'... The 'Full Monty' (why settle for anything less?) is about 260km, including those short, but steep climbs you mentioned. Second, I am not good 'on the stones'. Those bloody cobbles tend to break me.

Yeah, but the Pro's are running tubulars, so pinch flats are almost non-existant

According to this Velonews (http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/2052.0.html) article, not all of them ride on tubulars in P-R.