Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Josh and USAC CEO Brendan Quirk share a love of the history of cycling and a deep-seated desire to move it forward. In this wide-ranging conversation, Josh and Brendan talk about their love of bike racing, wind tunnels, and the complexities of cycling product development and retailing. Most importantly, they candidly discuss the difficult position USAC is in and Brendan's plan to move it forward.
Josh and USAC CEO Brendan Quirk share a love of the history of cycling and a deep-seated desire to move it forward. In this wide-ranging conversation, Josh and Brendan talk about their love of bike racing, wind tunnels, and the complexities of cycling product development and retailing. Most importantly, they candidly discuss the difficult position USAC is in and Brendan's plan to move it forward.
![Paris-Roubaix Wasn’t About Flats. Here’s What Actually Happened
Learn the process of how pro teams approach tire setup, pressure strategy, and equipment decisions at Paris-Roubaix — and why this year’s race wasn’t really about flats at all.
▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
Paris-Roubaix is always chaotic. This year looked like it came down to flats/punctures.
But that’s not really what happened....
In this week’s catch-up conversation, Josh Poertner breaks down what we actually saw on the cobbles: a mix of real punctures, tire burping, pressure loss, and modern tire systems being pushed right to their absolute limits.
From the shift toward wider tires (32mm → 35/36mm), to pressure decisions made at training speed vs race speed, to the realities of hookless and mini-hook rim designs — this wasn’t just bad luck. It was a systems problem.
This discussion reflects broader race coverage and technical analysis seen across the cycling world, including reporting and insights from:
Escape Collective – Equipment trends and team setup insights from Roubaix
BikeRadar – Technical analysis of bikes, tires, and pressure strategies
Velon CC – In-race data and rider perspective from the cobbles
The Queen Stage Podcast – Race discussion and observations from the men’s and women’s events
We also look at how teams responded in real time:
• Gluing tires to stabilize the bead
• Using RTV silicone to reduce burping and impact forces
• Avoiding inserts in certain conditions
• Managing tradeoffs between aerodynamics, control, and durability
At Roubaix, there is no perfect setup. Only the least-worst solution.
And this year made that clearer than ever.
▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
Items featured in the video
• SILCA Chain Waxing System
• SILCA Ultimate Sealant with FiberFoam
• SILCA Tire Pressure Calculator
• SILCA Synergetic Wet Lube
Paris-Roubaix Media Coverage Referenced
• Escape Collective – https://escapecollective.com/paris-roubaix-2026-tech-gallery/
https://escapecollective.com/gallery-the-pelotons-tyre-picks-for-paris-roubaix-2026/
https://escapecollective.com/uci-has-banned-gravaa-from-paris-roubaix/
• BikeRadar – https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/tyres-are-getting-wider-but-paris-roubaix-was-still-littered-with-punctures
• Velon CC – https://www.velon.cc
• Queen Stage Podcast – https://www.queenstage.cc
▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Why this wasn’t really about flats
00:20 - What actually happened on the cobbles
01:15 - Why tire setup is a systems problem
02:30 - The shift to wider tires (32 → 36mm)
04:00 - Pressure decisions: training vs race speed
06:00 - Hookless and mini-hook limitations
08:30 - Why teams are gluing tires
10:30 - Inserts: risk vs performance
12:30 - The 38mm tire tradeoff (watts vs control)
14:30 - What this means going forward
▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel: / @silcavelo
SILCA website: https://silca.cc/
SILCA blog: https://silca.cc/blogs/silca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silca_velo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SILCAvelo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silca-velo/
▬▬▬▬ ABOUT SILCA ▬▬▬▬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA is renowned for its passion for cycling. Led by cycling industry leader, Josh Poertner, the brand has expanded from the iconic SuperPista pump to a full range of high-end cycling tools and gear, collaborating with UCI World Tour teams to enhance cycling performance. SILCA combines tradition with innovation, inspiring cyclists to enjoy both riding and maintenance.
▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Created by SILCA
© SILCA
Additional footage and audio elements:
• Fast burp/belch sound effects by freesound_community (Pixabay)
• Angelic choir intro by Tomáš Herudek (Pixabay)
• Solar flare stock footage provided by Vecteezy
▬▬▬▬ DISCLAIMERS ▬▬▬▬
SILCA participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide content creators with fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Do you have any questions, tips, or ideas about tire pressure, hookless rims, or Paris-Roubaix tech trends in the pro peloton that can work for the rest of us [regular cyclists]? Let us know in the comments section below! Paris-Roubaix Wasn’t About Flats. Here’s What Actually Happened](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BN3XAZJ_p_U/mqdefault.jpg)









