What features should a wheelset have to perform at its best on the world's most famous cobblestones? Find out with us by reading this article.
We were curious to test our 28mm internal channel rims under the most extreme conditions, so in pre-season we decided to ride a few hundred kilometers on the world's most famous cobblestones with some professional cyclists . The test results clearly showed us that the Miura TR series (in its disc brake version) is the best-performing product line on this type of route.
Why did the pros crown the Miura TR37 disc and Miura TR67 disc as the best performing solutions for the Northern Classics?
Thanks to road simulations, we were able to verify how choosing a rim with a 28 mm channel can guarantee (in certain situations) a series of technical advantages over the traditional 24 mm channel. In fact, with this solution, it is possible to mount 28" or 30" tubular tires, a great help for cyclists, especially on very dirty or wet roads, as well as for very long distances. Let's see together why:
- Greater safety in the saddle. In very specific races like Paris-Roubaix, Flanders, or the Strade Bianche, rough and muddy surfaces are easily encountered. By choosing to equip their bikes with oversized tubular tires, riders aim to increase the tread surface in contact with the asphalt. During our tests in Flanders, riders noted improved stability with the Miura TR series wheels. Furthermore, it's worth remembering that for disc brake bikes, it's always advisable to opt for a wider wheel profile: the powerful braking power typical of disc brakes is offset by tires with a wider surface area. We can therefore confidently say that these rims contribute to improved safety in the saddle.
- Greater comfort in long-distance races. Using wide tubular tires on 28mm-wide wheels allows for lower pressures than those typically used on dry, paved roads. This technical solution is derived from cyclocross, a discipline in which riders race on rough terrain with extremely stiff, unsuspensioned bikes, similar to road bikes. With less extreme inflation, the tires absorb the bumps of difficult terrain while simultaneously improving rider comfort, allowing them to complete (to the fullest extent of their ability) the 250-km Paris-Roubaix race.
- Greater stability when cornering. Compared to a rim with a 24 mm channel, the Miura TR37 disc and TR67 disc wheels with 28” or 30” tires provide truly significant grip due to the greater tread contact with the ground.
Paris-Roubaix: is it better to ride the Miura TR37 Disc or the Miura TR67 Disc?
As we've seen, the 28 mm profile is the main feature sought by professionals when tackling the Northern Classics. This is why, in our tests, we asked riders to perform various aerodynamic setup tests, which revealed that for this type of race, a profile height of 37 mm is preferred over the more extreme 67 mm. The course is indeed very demanding, so a reduced weight was considered a priority over a more advanced aerodynamic package. So, the green light was given to the Miura TR37 Disc , which was the most popular wheel at the end of the test.
What do the experts think about tubeless?
We asked the pros to evaluate the 28 mm internal channel tubeless tire solution as an alternative. The Ursus product of reference is the Miura TC37 Disc , which has enjoyed some success on the road. Of course, the tubeless version weighs slightly more than the tubular version, but some cyclists have selected this wheelset as their favorite for their Roubaix. Tubeless increases the bike's reliability over long distances as well as offering further improved comfort. Ultimately, the choice between tubular and tubeless turned out to be a very personal one. Want to learn more about this topic? You might be interested in the article " Road Bike Wheels: Tubulars vs. Clincher/Tubeless ."
In conclusion
Northern Classics-proven wheels: Ursus Miura TR37 and TR67 disc. Testing alongside professionals has allowed us to understand how different wheel models perform in specific conditions, such as those typically found in Flanders. While some riders chose to mount wheels with a 28 mm internal channel for tubeless tires to reduce the risk of punctures, others opted for the Miura TR37 Disc. This Ursus solution with a 28 mm internal channel for tubular tires has undoubtedly proven to be the best performing, making it ideal for those aiming for overall victory.
Discover the wheels we talked about and all the other wheels we have in our range: go to the URSUS ONLINE SHOP!
