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Dauphiné Libéré
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Race tech: Paris-Roubaix, April 11, 2009

Giant have provided Rabobank riders with slightly modified versions
Photo ©: James Huang
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New rear dropouts increase the effective chain stay length
Photo ©: James Huang
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Giant could have gone with carbon dropouts
Photo ©: James Huang
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The 7mm difference is fairly subtle
Photo ©: James Huang
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Team forks also have different fork tips
Photo ©: James Huang
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By comparison, the standard fork tips are virtually inline
Photo ©: James Huang
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Team bikes will also have special fork blades
Photo ©: James Huang
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The trailing edge of the standard fork is nominally straight
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rabobank rider Sebastian Langeveld
Photo ©: James Huang
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Di2's 'tap and forget' shifting style might prove useful
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rabobank team bikes are also equipped with internal routing
Photo ©: James Huang
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The main wire enters the frame just aft of the head tube.
Photo ©: James Huang
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The Di2 Li-ion battery is bolted to a dedicated fitting
Photo ©: James Huang
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Langeveld's spare bike was fitted with standard 53/39T chainrings…
Photo ©: James Huang
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...though his primary rig is outfitted with more Paris-Roubaix-friendly 53/44T ones.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Langeveld will run a PRO carbon-wrapped stem
Photo ©: James Huang
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Surprise, surprise: Rabobank will use traditional aluminum
Photo ©: James Huang
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27mm-wide Vittoria Pavé-EVO CG tubulars
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rabobank teammate Joost Posthuma will also use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rabobank rider Juan Antonio Flecha
Photo ©: James Huang
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Pro riders don't always have a team car following closely behind;
Photo ©: James Huang
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BBOX Bouygues Telecom riders are apparently expecting bad weather
Photo ©: James Huang
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It's not just a couple of riders who have adopted the 'more is better' philosophy here, either;
Photo ©: James Huang
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Top tube-routed cables help keep the control lines
Photo ©: James Huang
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Relatively small-diameter carbon tubes
Photo ©: James Huang
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TRP EuroX Carbon cantilever brakes provide the stopping power
Photo ©: James Huang
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Interestingly, all of the team bikes for Paris-Roubaix
Photo ©: James Huang
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…down to the derailleurs, cranks, chain and cassette.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Nearly every bike at Paris-Roubaix is equipped
Photo ©: James Huang
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This BBOX Bouygues Telecom rider
Photo ©: James Huang
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Supplemental top-mounted brake levers offer extra control
Photo ©: James Huang
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The team are playing it safe in terms of durability
Photo ©: James Huang
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A fleet of Lapierre bikes await a wash and tune
Photo ©: James Huang
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There's a lot of room in between that tire and the seat tube.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Flattened chain stays are designed to flex a bit
Photo ©: James Huang
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Another Paris-Roubaix bike, another chain watcher.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Française des Jeux team bikes are further customized
Photo ©: James Huang
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These look like extra-long dropouts
Photo ©: James Huang
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Frédéric Guesdon (Française des Jeux)
Photo ©: James Huang
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Française des Jeux riders will apparently use Hutchinson Road Tubeless tires
Photo ©: James Huang
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Team mechanics were fitting 28mm-wide Hutchinson Intensive Road Tubeless tires
Photo ©: James Huang
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Even with Road Tubeless' impressive durability,
Photo ©: James Huang
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Team mechanics were also adding some latex sealant
Photo ©: James Huang
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Teammate Matthieu Ladagnous will seemingly use
Photo ©: James Huang
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The Lapierre X-Lite is fitted with a new Easton fork
Photo ©: James Huang
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BMC will field both Pro Machine SLC01 frames
Photo ©: James Huang
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Canyon Bicycles have supplied their Silence-Lotto riders
Photo ©: Canyon
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Not that the riders will have time to look at this
Photo ©: Canyon
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A graphic on the down tube
Photo ©: Canyon
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The special frames feature longer front triangles
Photo ©: Canyon
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