We Rode Cobbles Too Rough For Paris-Roubaix!

Місяць тому

The infamous cobbles of Paris-Roubaix comprise one of cycling's most famous routes, but when you stray off the incredibly beaten track, some even rougher sections lie in wait. Conor and Hank took to Strava to find the road less travelled and equipped the latest Shockstop components from Redshift Sports to seek out cobbles that are too rough for racing.
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Would you be confident keeping the pace high on these treacherous cobblestones? Let us know 👇
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🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Beyond the Western Horizon - Howard Harper-Barnes
Breakfast in Paris - Trabant 33
Burning Tires - Ballpoint
Chimera Chasers - Ryan James Carr
Dangerous Forests - Experia
Electrical Glitch 2 - SFX Producer
French Connection - Medite
Funky Ninjas from Hell - Duke Herrington
Go Time! - Cushy
Gone & Found - Sum Wave
Hallowed - Billo Boi
Hazy Horizon - Aiyo
Joker - PW
JUMBOTRON - BLUE STEEL
Locked In - Aiyo
Next Move - Silver Flaw
Osaka 3AM - Ooyy
Pablo - Cushy
Prank in Sight - Stationary Sign
Raise Your Shoes - Splasher!
Rave - STRLGHT
Realm of Gabriel - Golden Anchor
Runaways - Aiyo
Soiree Riot - Far Orange
TMI - PW
TRU LUV - Hank Lotion
When We're Alone - Medite
Whoa - Jobii (1)
Whoa - Jobii
Windy Day on the Beach - SOOP
You Want It (Instrumental Version) - STRLGHT
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КОМЕНТАРІ: 250

@gcn Місяць тому

Would you be confident keeping the pace high on these treacherous cobblestones? Let us know 👇

@user-pt1yu9bp8h Місяць тому

If i was using inner tubes and no stem/seat post suspension, then absolutely no. Love your content, thank you.

@JanneRasanen2 Місяць тому

Yes if I had wide tires at low pressures and Redshift stem and seat post. My road bike has an ISP so I cannot testify to the effectiveness of the seat post, but the stem is awesome on rough surfaces even though I probably have one stiffness too stiff an elastomer. It still helps a ton on a bike that only accepts 28 mm or thinner tires. I have ridden on cobbles and the difference between a carbon stem and the Redshift is worlds apart. I highly recommend the Redshifts they really work. The shock absorption is akin to my gravel bike's WTB 66-622 tire at 1.3 Bars. Imagine a road bike with the suppleness of a very wide gravel tire run at a lower than optimal pressure for rolling pressure. Except on a fast rolling road tire at optimal pressure.

@ivarbrouwer197 Місяць тому

The faster, the easier it feels, so yes. If you ride the sportive version, ride it as interval training, only going all out on the cobbles

@ehuremovic526 Місяць тому

Excellent filming from the camera operator on the cobbles

@event4216 Місяць тому

I noticed smooth path next to cobblestone 👀

@matthewbaynham6286 Місяць тому

Good to see Conor being so generous and just letting Hank take the victories so that Hank can feel good.

@gcn Місяць тому

Precisely this. Exactly what happened. No need for further investigations.

@ericpmoss Місяць тому

a@@gcn hahahaha -- the side-by-side looked like Conor and Mini-Me. How can he be so tall and not be an archaeologist?

@simonrooney817 Місяць тому

At the start it looked like Gandalf and Frodo 😂

@DavidMartin-tk4fs Місяць тому

Nauwghty 😂

@Z-u-m-a Місяць тому

Lord of the Chainrings

@christophermee5214 Місяць тому

Start middle end I’d say

@SyLens1 Місяць тому

Grandalf and fondo

@mattvjmeasures Місяць тому

I bet the ring is well worn at the end of this long journey though 😂

@alinapopescu872 Місяць тому

So, two French deer, one Irish giraffe and one English guinea pig.

@dtsybulskyi Місяць тому

This comment has to make it to the comment of the week!😂

@alinapopescu872 Місяць тому

@@dtsybulskyi 😁

@Gixer750pilot Місяць тому

And 4 hooked tyres 😮

@madyogi6164 Місяць тому

@jpfidalgo7 Місяць тому

... are roaming through the cobbles and the 1st French deer says: 1st French deer: This is some tough terrain, Oh my deer! 2nd French deer: Hoof! Irish giraffe: I'll be stoned by the end of this... English ginea pig: I WON!

@PaulTheCyclistSturrock Місяць тому

PMSL, So nice of Conor to take his little boy on a ride.🤣

@gcn Місяць тому

That little boy will remember this ride for some time 🤣

@alanwright4628 Місяць тому

Nice to see Conor taking his little son for a bike ride. ❤

@brianrainey2739 Місяць тому

Hank wins bike of the day prize with that Moots! 🎉 To bad we weren’t allowed to see it….😂

@Servicevelo Місяць тому

You are right, the Moors is a piece of work.

@damianlacey1585 Місяць тому

I rode the full length Roubaix Challenge last year - My first time ever riding cobble stones. The Trouee d'Arenberg was unridable for me. So violent on the cobble stones. The last five sectors were a real mental challenge. The feeling of finishing at the velodrome was an emotional rollercoaster.

@gcn Місяць тому

It's one tough challenge! Well done on compleating the ride, you're not the first or only person to be defeated by the Arenberg 👀

@CMZPICTURES Місяць тому

Last week I took my Brompton on the Eurostar to Lille (which is a gorgeous city) and then a 30 minute train ride out into the country to ride some pave around carrefour de l'Arbre. On the next day I rode the Canal de la Deûle up into Belgium and back. Great trip. Really accessible if you live near London. I didn't go quite as fast as you guys though :-)

@gcn Місяць тому

Ooo that sounds like a great tip! You've made your Brompton into a full adventure machine, we love it 🙌

@Frostbiker Місяць тому

This planning of a route, eventually finding it impassable, looking for an alternative as you go and having fun exploring all along is what I enjoy the most on two wheels. Great job showcasing the product, too.

@gcn Місяць тому

It's all part on the adventure right 👌

@lilbruin Місяць тому

What a beautiful place to be bounced around on a bike. Another nice vid. Thanks all.

@gcn Місяць тому

None better!

@ivarbrouwer197 Місяць тому

There is a Mountainbike version of Paris Roubaix held every 2 years, in June. (The other year is the road version) (so if April is too early for you, or you want the mountain bike version, try the June version)

@Customisbetter2 Місяць тому

I love seeing Hank smash every sector in anger with Conor picking all the smoothest lines from his experience. Awesome video!

@gcn Місяць тому

Two very different riders... one great friendship 🙌

@jmac74 Місяць тому

Hank's bike is really sweet, all that ti greatness. Should have gotten some more attention.

@treyquattro Місяць тому

BumCam(R) - another GCN innovation! Epic competitiveness by Hank, as ever. Well done both chaps on the crazy pavé route, but TBH, I'm still fantasizing about that super-smooth Mallorca tarmac that Conor mentioned!

@gcn Місяць тому

These two can't help but compete a little 🤣 Do you prefer the smooth tarmac or harsh cobbles?

@treyquattro Місяць тому

@@gcn is that the cycling version of the famous Spartacus question?

@humidor3 Місяць тому

30 years ago Alsop Suspension/Softride. The more things change... Bellingham legend Jim Sullivan and a few other Team Ritchey MTB team riders tested nunerous prototypes for Alsop.

@rocketroman Місяць тому

#GCN As a German I feel offended by Hank saying "the French do bread like none other". 😂 Guess it's time four you blokes to produce a couple of videos in Germany! ☝ Especially now, as we do not have German presenters anymore (temporarily)...

@gcn Місяць тому

All we're seeing here is GCN Bake off... 🥖

@papaduck1000 Місяць тому

Well done Hank - fun watching you absolutely crush Conor

@mayfieldcourt Місяць тому

Great video, thank you. Hank is a beast!

@hondasaurusrex6998 Місяць тому

Great stuff Hankster and Lanky Cee. I felt my artificial replacement hips starting hurt just watch you bouncing all over the cobbles. A hats off to you for riding the cobbles.

@gcn Місяць тому

Hahaha we do it so you don't have to 🤣 Thanks for watching! Great to hear you enjoyed the video

@cb6866 Місяць тому

Thanks Conor , JLW , and crew..love Redshift stuff , I have had the stem for a while ! No flats , eh ?

@JustOneWolf Місяць тому

hank even rattled out his bottle at 2:57 on these shitty cobbles 😂 when I watch the races theses days all I see is pros avoiding the cobbles and riding the dirt on the side wherever possible

@gcn Місяць тому

That's true, the pro's get very good at picking their own line 👀 Have you ever taken on the cobbles?

@paulmorrison30 Місяць тому

Loved the bit with the road furniture. You’re right next to it, you’re not blind are you 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@kaltonian Місяць тому

totally agree about the baguettes, but you know what.......i think it's because the french still use salted butter which if not tasted for a while is heaven when you do try them, yeah i would love to ride this route, it's like the passage to bike heaven or something...lol, but seriously it is one of the places to experience on your cycle bucket list. i must give a shout out to the charity that volunteers to maintain & upkeep the famous cobbled roads...... "Thank You Guys👍🏆".

@colinmckague2656 Місяць тому

Move videos with Conor and Hank please! They've got great entertainment chemistry

@gcn Місяць тому

Be careful what you wish for 👉ukposts.info/have/v-deo/gXqcnoRse5WAx5s.html

@glensmall1 Місяць тому

Size of that chimney on Hanks bike!!

@Natuh21 Місяць тому

Looking forward to see the full review and impressions on that Ti Moots bike

@tmill2001 Місяць тому

The 90s called and they want their suspension back! LOL!! HANK HANK HANK!

@gcn Місяць тому

They had it sorted in the 90s! Mop tops, baggy jeans and suspension stems - it all goes full circle ♻

@mommamooney Місяць тому

The rivalry is so fun

@nannenon Місяць тому

Nice duo. One who never reaches the top of the cupboard, and one who hits his head in every doorway.

@orvillealdrich7601 25 днів тому

Well done boys!

@geoffreyhoney122 Місяць тому

BRILLIANT content! What a great idea to do the epic classic and revisit it with suspension seatposts and stems. I just got a cirrus cylcles Kinekt bodyfloat seatpost for my touring bike that was highlighted years ago in a gcn show cycling shorts. It's amazing how the suspension seatposts damper but don't take away your power like a full suspension bike does. Love Hank's obligatory cock of the walk rooster crowing and Conor's obligatory food stops! This is truly the madcap duo. If only they could convince Si, we would have the Three Stooges on bikes! (I'm chagrined you didn't take on the farm/swam track.) Love the content and the concept and the fun! Will keep coming back! If anyone hasn't tried a suspension seatpost, try it out. You won't look back! That and 44cm tires and you're translating all your power to the bike without the pain.

@treyquattro Місяць тому

which was the right bike to be riding - the carbon Canyon Grizl or the titanium (I believe) Moots? Or did the Red Shift stem and seat pin render the difference, er, moot?

@carlwatkiss4252 Місяць тому

Yank you look tiny next the Connor

@andymow21 Місяць тому

Rode a few sections on my Specialized Roubaix, well you have to don't you? Cracked the rear rim around three spokes, didn't find out until I was cleaning the bike.

@ivarbrouwer197 Місяць тому

No cracked rim, but I had +-20 dents in my rim because of the low tire pressure I used. (Had that more the one edition, still never flatted in any of +-8 editions I rode)

@gcn Місяць тому

Rouxbaix can be so tough on bikes 🥵

@stuartmisfeldt3068 Місяць тому

Can you go over Hank’s bike? Nice Moots!!

@HkFinn83 Місяць тому

My fave race of the year…never want to ride it though😂

@user-go6tj2rx4o Місяць тому

For such roads, special goggles, with windscreen wipers are needed.

@dtsybulskyi Місяць тому

You should construct one and submit to hack/bodge 😄

@gcn Місяць тому

Hahahah sign us up! 🗒

@madyogi6164 Місяць тому

What a great adventure!

@gcn Місяць тому

Never not fun with these two! Where would you like to see us send them next? 🗺

@madyogi6164 Місяць тому

@@gcn Well, if Iap around the Isle of Man be too boring, maybe a round around one of bigger European lakes?

@johngannon1 Місяць тому

Conor for the win - epic follow your nose route planning until you run out of road and then just build in a detour. What riding your bike is all about.

@EwenMallochUK Місяць тому

I've got a Girvin Flexstem somewhere in the shed, maybe I should put it on the road bike... if I can find some new elastomers somewhere!

@htukmumfie Місяць тому

please go n ride the ronde van calderdale (halifax), take in shibden wall, old lane and trooper lane plus all the others and tell us all which are tougher👍👍

@David-qx8jm Місяць тому

Those cobblestones make my rims nervous. Lol Keepemcoming

@gcn Місяць тому

Keep those pressures reasonable and tyres high volume! 😉

@ivarbrouwer197 Місяць тому

@GCN sadly you started at dArenberg, the cobble sections before are more up and down and variable. From Arenberg on it gets flatter expect for Mons en Pavel.

@gcn Місяць тому

Either way you cut it, it's one tough day on the bike 😬

@10ktube Місяць тому

Girvin Flexstem making a comeback!

@gcn Місяць тому

Style comes in circles ♻

@Seppster58 Місяць тому

Love the video guys. I put Redshift seatpost and stem on my gravel bike last year prior to an epic ride. Was a true blessing for sure.

@gcn Місяць тому

How do you find the body after a days ride with the redshift? We we're certainly less fatigued

@Seppster58 Місяць тому

@@gcn Did 220kms on that set-up and was definitely a help. Was a bit tired but the butt and shoulders/arms survived!

@wspmjw Місяць тому

May I suggest a pair of padded cycling gloves. They do help absorb vibration and jolts on rougher roads.

@lukeemanuelmondido4245 Місяць тому

Hey GCN! I've been watching your videos and most of it helped me a lot, I'd like to ask what's better in terms of performance? Hollowtech or Square Tapered cranks? there's much of us want to know the gap of the performance of these cranks

@user-ct5yz9bb6p Місяць тому

Is there gonna be a video about the Moots vs the Canyon on the cobbles? Titanium vs plastic?

@Afrikakorps68 Місяць тому

Apparently all Pro riders are happy in riding on lightweight "plastic"

@joowwwllllll666 Місяць тому

Man I would love riding this with my Grizl. But with 45mm tubeless tires and suspension 😁

@andyshaw5378 Місяць тому

Great video 👍🏻😊

@frazergoodwin4945 Місяць тому

Having just gone out to test my Roubaix sportive set-up here in Belgium - I can confirm. We have some stupid rough borderline dangerous pavé!

@kaltonian Місяць тому

just out of curiosity.....on the actual race day are the pro's aloud to use the types of suspension you guys are using ? or is that something else the fun police (uci) have also banned ?

@conordunne219 Місяць тому

It can be used yes!

@kaltonian Місяць тому

@@conordunne219 oh...thanks for that

@wspmjw Місяць тому

Seems like every year y'all take a trip over to the lands of the cobbels. You could roll out last years or do a collaboration of the best of GCN Cobbels Edition.

@wanderingboy8271 Місяць тому

Is Hank going to add that win to his Pro stats..convincing us some more he was a Pro!! 😂

@9090Glenn Місяць тому

If Hank stands up straight and TALL and looks straight ahead - he will be looking directly at Connor's belly button - is Hank the Hamster the resident Masochist at GCN ??? - Background Voice - "our latest Challenge - we attempt to drive off a cliff to see if a GCN presenter can survive a 4000M plunge over a guardrail - Hank has kindly "volunteered" to see if it is possible ... or not" - Hank "oh well I am not sure about this one but I'll give it a go"

@alinapopescu872 Місяць тому

You've just given them a splendid new idea

@erickok Місяць тому

Just rode (large part of) the gravel world's route for this year and it's just on par with these roads. 🙈

@tomrachellesfirstdance7843 Місяць тому

The bromance is back ❤️

@davidwolfs9505 Місяць тому

hands down you got more experiece, respect

@PeterStrand-pd7gs Місяць тому

Finally, something that cools down Hank's screaming.

@3176matthew Місяць тому

As a former winner of the UK’s version of Roubaix is Connor and the gand going to do a feature on the CiCLE Classic which is taking place on 28th April?

@conordunne219 Місяць тому

Would love to in the future, such a fun race!!! Cheeky race entry could be interesting... ill need to do a bit more training though!

@albertkikstra Місяць тому

At 2.57 water bottle ejection activated 😂

@Aragorn.Strider Місяць тому

2:56 Hank looses a bottle... 3:00 Hank has the bottle back :D

@gcn Місяць тому

Time travel 💨

@dtsybulskyi Місяць тому

Conor planned the route and did much of the talking. But this video goes to Hank because: 1. He's brave for wearing white shoes for the muddiest ride he's ever had 2. He's stylish, because left an absolute MASSIVE chimney on the bike 3. He's immortal having survived the encounter with the ball. Also, that camera placed up somebody's bum is so funny 🤣

@user-xw2cu1dn1y Місяць тому

Nice 😊

@melibaut Місяць тому

Fun!

@jugaloo5873 Місяць тому

Lol, for a moment i thought hank was standing in the distance. Also whats with hanks steerer tube??

@dcercado100 Місяць тому

Hank's bottle falls off at 2:56 😁

@gcn Місяць тому

🚀

@a1white Місяць тому

Whats Hanks bike? Looks nice 🙂

@SillyMochi Місяць тому

06:52 "the French do bread like none other" - Germany wants a word with you! :D

@gcn Місяць тому

We propose a bread off!

@SillyMochi Місяць тому

@@gcn En garde 🥖

@vampirekiller16 Місяць тому

are they allowed suspension components on the race?

@randommarco349 Місяць тому

I was watching a 'How To Ride Out Of The Saddle' video of you guy's, and i was wondering if andrew feather can remake that video. since he ride's a lot out of saddle.

@notpablo8369 Місяць тому

What bike does the camera-person uses?

@matt_acton-varian Місяць тому

What bike was Hank on? Looks like a Ti frame but couldn't make out the badge. Edit: saw the Moots badge 5 minutes later... 😂

@leswilliamson1926 Місяць тому

@1:50 Hank looks tiny beside Connor.😃

@letsseeyoutravel8364 Місяць тому

I am planning on buying an e bike in Paris France next year and doing a tour around the country. Can you please recommend an e bike for touring? Also where in Paris I can find a nice selection of e bikes....Thanks

@dalis994 Місяць тому

I will probably be in minority but honestly I have no desire to try those pavé sections. Maybe one :-) I guess big tires and lower pressure, a double tape and those shockstop components help a lot.

@_gawen Місяць тому

Those belgian roads are pretty standard and nice for the region :p

@Servicevelo Місяць тому

The Girvin flexstem returns. That said, just because it failed then doesn’t mean it shall now.

@IpeaFreely Місяць тому

What is Manon saying about the size of the chimney on Hank’s bike?

@iDarkXY Місяць тому

so thats what an old mans seatpost look like

@vincentkrause7097 Місяць тому

Farm tracks= signature for Tro-Bro Leon not Roubaix. Like smooth gravel= Strade Bianche

@lsantilli Місяць тому

Ollie and Si would rock Hank. Take the victory against the weaker tier of GCN with humility my man.

@toddcrowdis2650 Місяць тому

Height is not always the best. The short guy kicked ass. 😂

@jefflabianco4459 Місяць тому

The ass shot to show the suspension Seatpost at 2:26 is diabolical

@cyclinginsofia Місяць тому

You have a wonderful UKposts channel. My tiny UKposts channel for real cycling in Sofia has 736 videos and only 693 subscribers.

@cyclinginsofia Місяць тому

@@hansanders4983 Thank you very much!

@domekcco6985 Місяць тому

Hank the monster

@better.better Місяць тому

Hank feels like the annoying older sibling who, even though he knows his brother won't play games with him anymore out of frustration, can't let his little brother win sometimes just enough so that his brother will want to keep playing.