Single chainring, 35 mm, and a Y1Rs at the limit: complete setup of Pogacar's bike for the 2026 Paris-Roubaix

The Paris-Roubaix 2026 once again puts Tadej Pogacar in front of his last great challenge in the Monuments, and as he had hinted in previous weeks, he is holding nothing back in his choice of equipment. The Slovenian has pushed his setup for the cobblestones to the limit with solutions that combine classic race logic with unusual decisions for this terrain.

Pogacar goes all out in Roubaix and bets on a radical setup between aerodynamics, weight, and risk

In the weeks leading up, we had already analyzed the various tests he was conducting to find the ideal balance on the cobbled sections. Those doubts are now resolved. Pogacar has chosen to use two different setups depending on each race. In Flanders, he competed with a double chainring, while in Roubaix, he has decided to go for a single chainring setup, a choice that clearly marks his approach for this event.

 

 

 

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As we mentioned, the main novelty compared to last year is that he has decided to compete in Roubaix with his aero model, the Colnago Y1Rs. A choice that aims to gain advantages over his direct rivals, who are theoretically faster than him on such a flat course.

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The first thing that stands out about his setup is a combination of 35mm tires in the front and 32mm in the back. However, this decision is not without compromise, as the clearance in the fork is minimal with the new Continental tire, leaving little margin for any incidents. So much so that it wouldn't be surprising if he had to change bikes during the race to ride with a narrower tire.

The most striking decision is the use of a single front chainring, a solution he had already tested in other races, such as Milan-San Remo, and which seeks to minimize weight as much as possible. Interestingly, the Shimano Dura Ace group does not allow this configuration, and his mechanics have had to combine the rear derailleur and Dura Ace 165mm cranks with a Carbon-Ti chainring and a K-Edge chain guide. Another solution for the teams.

In addition to the main setup, Pogacar has optimized all details of his Colnago for Roubaix, as seen in the choice of GPS mount, which he preferred to install a lighter and safer one; in case of impact, the mount gives way downwards, making it harder to lose the cycle computer, instead of the aerodynamic one that integrates into the bike.

It remains to be seen if this approach will be enough to conquer the only Monument missing from his palmarès, with which he could start dreaming of something that has never been achieved before: winning all 5 in the same year. What is clear is that he has taken technical preparation to the highest level, taking risks that others would avoid and seeking any possible advantage in one of the most unpredictable races on the calendar.

Here we leave you with the complete setup.

• Frame: Colnago Y1Rs Dark Series, unpainted carbon with light lacquer and rainbow details of world champion
• Fork: Integrated Colnago Y1Rs
• Handlebar / Cockpit: Colnago CC.Y1 integrated (Y design)
• Wheels: ENVE SES 6.7 (60 mm front / 67 mm rear, 23 mm internal width, 1,457 g the pair)
• Tires: Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 35mm/32mm
• Transmission: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Chainring: Carbon-Ti 55 T
• Cranks: Shimano Dura-Ace 165 mm
• Power Meter: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9200P (integrated in the spider)
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (discs 160 mm front / 140 mm rear)
• Saddle: Fizik Tempo Argo
• Seatpost: Colnago Y1Rs carbon, aerodynamic "D" design with specific integrated aero clamp
• Water Bottles: Elite Leggero Carbon (13 g)
• Cycle Computer: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2
• Approximate Weight: 6.9 kg