Tom Boonen's Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4

Tom Boonen's Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4

Boonen hopes for one more cobble trophy

Tom Boonen has won Paris-Roubaix four times. He's not the main favorite this year, but can never be ruled out

Ben Delaney / Immediate Media

Ben Delaney

Published: April 9, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Tom Boonen has won Paris-Roubaix four times. He's not the main favorite this year, but can never be ruled out - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
With virtually all of the 258km course being flat, the gears run big for Paris-Roubaix - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Some top riders like Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan have opted for mechanical Dura-Ace over Di2. Tom and team are doing digital - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
While some of his teammates like Niki Terpsta and Iljo Keisse use sprint shifters up by the stem, Boonen puts his in the 'traditional' spot - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Boonen and a few teammates have their tape wrapped nearly to the stem. Also shown hre is K-Edge's new pivoting-clamp Garmin mount - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The Romin has been Boonen's perch of choice for some time - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Specialiazed tubulars in the standard Paris-Roubaix width - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Like many pros, Boonen runs alloy handlebars. Crashes are often a reality of pro racing, and metal bars are less likely to break than carbon - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The upstart power-meter company 4iiii has its dual-sided meters on the Etixx bikes - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Boonen is hoping this K-Edge will next year hold the number one - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Slam that stem (with ceramic bearings) - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media

With four victories of the brutal Paris-Roubaix classic already in the books, Tom Boonen would make history with a fifth win this year. While not the favorite — most eyes are on Peter Sagan or Fabian Cancellara — Boonen can never be ruled out for competition on the cobblestones.

This year he is again racing a Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4, a machine he piloted to victory in 2012.

Sagan and Cancellara have shied away from the electronic shifting of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 for the cobbles. It's hard to shift any bike with hands and bars rattling across the stones, and mechanical proponents say cable-actuated systems often better feel and more intentional shifting than buttons. Boonen, for his part, isn't bothered. He is running Di2 with sprint shifters on the inside of the drops.

The cobblestones don't seem to rattle Boonen much. He was out doing recon with his team on Friday, riding without gloves across the cobbles.

While most of Specialized Roubaix bikes this year come with disc brakes, Boonen and his team are sticking with traditional rim brakes. Only Lampre-Merida has gone all in on discs for its racers, testing the waters first at the Tour of Flanders and now at Paris-Roubaix.

Boonen and a few teammates have their tape wrapped nearly to the stem. also shown hre is k-edge's new pivoting-clamp garmin mount: boonen and a few teammates have their tape wrapped nearly to the stem. also shown hre is k-edge's new pivoting-clamp garmin mount

Thick tape right up to the stem for Boonen's Paris-Roubaix machine

The rest of Boonen's bike is largely a Specialized affair, from the carbon Roval wheels to the 28mm tubulars to the Romin saddle.

FSA provides the bar and stem — both alloy, not carbon — and upstart company 4iiii has a dual-sided power meter on Boonen's bike.

Be sure to check out Cyclingnews.com this weekend for complete coverage of the 114th Paris-Roubaix.

Complete bike specifications

  • Frame: Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4
  • Fork: Specialized S-Works Roubaix FACT
  • Headset: Ceramic Speed
  • Stem: FSA OS99, 140mm
  • Handlebar: FSA Energy, 44cm (c-c)
  • Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
  • Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2
  • Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2
  • Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace, 11-28T
  • Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
  • Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2, 177.5mm, 53/44
  • Power meter: 4iiii
  • Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
  • Wheelset: Roval CLX40
  • Tubulars: Specialized, 28mm
  • Saddle: Specialized S-Works Romin, 155mm

Ben Delaney

Contributor

Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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