Conquering the cobbles – A brief history of Paris-Roubaix bike evolution

Fabian Cancellara (C-CSC Tiscali/Den) rides during the 105th Paris-Roubaix cycling race between Compiegne and Roubaix, 15 April 2007.

The Classics period in pro cycling culminates with Paris-Roubaix, one of the five cycling moments, and arguably the toughest one-day race of all, with its numerous sections of rough cobblestone passages.

Paris-Roubaix mixes asphalt roads and savage sections of ancient cobbled road, which test a road bike greatly. Paris-Roubaix has always been demanding for bikes, and teams have tried all sorts of things over the years to help riders deal with the race's pavé.