We Rode Cobbles Too Rough For Paris-Roubaix!

[@gcn]

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

[@AlvinnVanAert]

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

[@JanneRasanen2]

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]

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]

Excellent filming from the camera operator on the cobbles

[@event4216]

I noticed smooth path next to cobblestone 👀

[@matthewbaynham6286]

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

[@gcn]

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

[@ericpmoss]

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]

At the start it looked like Gandalf and Frodo 😂

[@DavidMartin-tk4fs]

Nauwghty 😂

[@Z-u-m-a]

Lord of the Chainrings

[@christophermee5214]

Start middle end I’d say

[@SyLens1]

Grandalf and fondo

[@mattvjmeasures]

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

[@alanwright4628]

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

[@PaulTheCyclist.]

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

[@gcn]

That little boy will remember this ride for some time 🤣

[@damianlacey1585]

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]

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 👀

[@alinapopescu872]

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

[@dtsybulskyi]

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

[@alinapopescu872]

@@dtsybulskyi 😁

[@Gixer750pilot]

And 4 hooked tyres 😮

[@madyogi6164]

[@jpfidalgo7]

... 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!

[@lilbruin]

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

[@gcn]

None better!

[@brianrainey2739]

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

[@Servicevelo]

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

[@Frostbiker]

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]

It's all part on the adventure right 👌

[@CMZPICTURES]

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]

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

[@Customisbetter2]

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

[@gcn]

Two very different riders... one great friendship 🙌

[@jmac74]

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

[@kaltonian]

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👍🏆".

[@treyquattro]

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]

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

[@treyquattro]

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

[@hondasaurusrex6998]

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]

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

[@humidor3]

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.

[@papaduck1000]

Well done Hank - fun watching you absolutely crush Conor

[@ivarbrouwer197]

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)

[@paulmorrison30]

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

[@cb6866]

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

[@colinmckague2656]

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

[@gcn]

Be careful what you wish for 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3vOm4FrecSCnMk

[@nannenon]

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

[@peterknight9873]

Great… loved it… Here’s an interesting challenge can Conor and Hank be able to ride the Sevrigeloppet route in Sweden. The same route that Gustaf Håkansson (Stålfarfar - Steel Grandad) raced and won in 1951 aged 66. One ride a modern bike and one ride a bike from the same period… Good luck

[@Seppster58]

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]

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

[@Seppster58]

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

[@glensmall1]

Size of that chimney on Hanks bike!!

[@Natuh21]

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

[@johngannon1]

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.

[@JustOneWolf]

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]

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

[@mayfieldcourt]

Great video, thank you. Hank is a beast!

[@HkFinn83]

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

[@rocketroman]

#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]

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

[@madyogi6164]

What a great adventure!

[@gcn]

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

[@madyogi6164]

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

[@treyquattro]

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?

[@wspmjw]

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

[@geoffreyhoney122]

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.

[@ivarbrouwer197]

@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]

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

[@orvillealdrich7601]

Well done boys!

[@stuartmisfeldt3068]

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

[@10ktube]

Girvin Flexstem making a comeback!

[@gcn]

Style comes in circles ♻

[@Mavrik-60]

Those cobblestones make my rims nervous. Lol Keepemcoming

[@gcn]

Keep those pressures reasonable and tyres high volume! 😉

[@АндрейКомиссаров-ц1д]

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

[@dtsybulskyi]

You should construct one and submit to hack/bodge 😄

[@gcn]

Hahahah sign us up! 🗒

[@tmill2001]

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

[@gcn]

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

[@EwenMallochUK]

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!

[@mommamooney]

The rivalry is so fun

[@joowwwllllll666]

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

[@elisrtt]

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

[@Afrikakorps68]

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

[@andymow21]

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]

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]

Rouxbaix can be so tough on bikes 🥵

[@3176matthew]

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]

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!

[@htukmumfie]

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👍👍

[@frazergoodwin4945]

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!

[@Aragorn.Strider]

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

[@gcn]

Time travel 💨

[@kaltonian]

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]

It can be used yes!

[@kaltonian]

@@conordunne219 oh...thanks for that

[@SillyMochi]

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

[@gcn]

We propose a bread off!

[@SillyMochi]

@@gcn En garde 🥖

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

The bromance is back ❤️

[@wspmjw]

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.

[@erickok]

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

[@wanderingboy8271]

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

[@PeterStrand-pd7gs]

Finally, something that cools down Hank's screaming.

[@carlwatkiss4252]

Yank you look tiny next the Connor

[@albertkikstra]

At 2.57 water bottle ejection activated 😂

[@dcercado100]

Hank's bottle falls off at 2:56 😁

[@gcn]

🚀

[@lukeemanuelmondido4245]

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

[@vampirekiller16]

are they allowed suspension components on the race?

[@dtsybulskyi]

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 🤣

[@andyshaw5378]

Great video 👍🏻😊

[@IpeaFreely]

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

[@davidwolfs9505]

hands down you got more experiece, respect

[@jefflabianco4459]

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

[@Anza_34832]

@6:52 You obviously haven’t eaten bread and sausages in Germany 🇩🇪 Should give it a try! Cobblestones & nice side roads come for free. And don’t be afraid of the Germans, most are actually well mannered and nice once you approach them.

[@jugaloo5873]

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

[@leswilliamson1926]

@1:50 Hank looks tiny beside Connor.😃

[@notpablo8369]

What bike does the camera-person uses?

[@Khalidazizphoto]

6:52 as a German, I'm offended 😂

[@randommarco349]

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.

[@matt_acton-varian]

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... 😂

[@_gawen]

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

[@letsseeyoutravel8364]

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

[@Aeroasduck]

What frame is Hank on?

[@a1white]

Whats Hanks bike? Looks nice 🙂

[@dalis994]

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.

[@9090Glenn]

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]

You've just given them a splendid new idea

[@lsantilli]

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

[@MdBoj-n2v]

Nice 😊

[@Servicevelo]

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

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Roman Roads? How's the carbon holding up?

[@BonJong-yw9gu]

Can someone give me a tips for hill climb intervals

[@99cya]

is that 2.1m vs 1.60m?? looks insane

[@calebjackson2631]

What bike is Hank riding?

[@justinjohnson3174]

What bike is Hank on?

[@melibaut]

Fun!

[@domekcco6985]

Hank the monster

[@cyclinginsofia]

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

[@cyclinginsofia]

@@hansanders4983 Thank you very much!

[@better.better]

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.

[@beeballman62]

Hank you won because you fueled up for the ride!

[@toddcrowdis2650]

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

[@mommamooney]

The Conor side route looks to be for GMBN

[@peterago1082]

i dont know which was harder, you guys riding Paris-roubaix or watching you guys ride P-R

[@obriaind]

The Pont Gibus, the Pont taketh away.

[@andrewwood2478]

Where does Conor get his cycling shorts? I’m 6ft 8 ins and most shorts look like hot pants 🤣