Argon 18 E-118 Dura Ace Zipp Ceramicspeed Review
Stage ix and the TT machines were rolled out once again. We'd already seen the time trial bikes in action on stage one of this year'due south Tour de France and nosotros covered some of the smaller kit and custom bikes after the stage. Simply with the Bout being what it is where every second counts, in that location is always more than exciting tech worth checking out.
Prior to the stage we had a look at some of the bikes that would be used on the 28km long TTT stage from Vannes to Plumelec.
IAM Cycling and Orica-GreenEdge are sponsored by Scott bikes, and both were using Scott Plasma frames. In that location surprisingly isn't a huge amount of difference in the kit fix upwards betwixt the two teams. Both use the aforementioned base bar, Orica take what looks to exist a full Scott set up where equally IAM differs by using a Ritchey TT bar extension. Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is the groupset of pick for both. Information technology would seem that the mechanics on both teams find that storing the Di2 battery and control box nether the saddle is the platonic position on the Plasma frames. This yr though the addition of the Dimension Data transponder has made it a tighter fit under the saddle for electronic equipment.
Where the set ups practise differ is in the wheels. Orica-GreenEdge are sponsored by Shimano and PRO (Shimano'south component arm), and the latest (and unreleased) PRO disc is seen on Orica's Plasmas. Orica uses either the trusty Dura-Ace C50 bike up forepart or the new PRO tri spoke, depending on air current atmospheric condition and passenger pick. IAM have DT Swiss equally wheel sponsor, but its clear from the carbon layup on the rear bike that it is in fact a Lightweight Autobahn with a DT Swiss hub. The wheel is available on the DT Swiss website and is classed as the RRC ii.0 Disc Dicut T. The front cycle would expect to be the RRC 66 model from DT Swiss, though the profile of the rim from what we can gather looks slightly dissimilar. Is this a sign that there is a new deep section rim on the horizon from DT-Swiss?
One other expanse both teams differ is in the tubulars, IAM use Schwalble ONE tubulars, where every bit Orica are rolling on the very pop (amongst the pro ranks) Continental Competition Pro LTD.
Bora-Argon 18 had their TT wheel on brandish at the team launch prior to the get-go of the Bout so we were able to go a good look at it. For Argon 18 it's the commencement time they accept had bikes being raced on at the Tour. The TT model is the E-118 Next, kitted out with Vision'south Tri and disc bike combo plus Dura Ace Di2 and FSA finishing kit. Information technology'south a very slick looking motorcar. Prologo supply the saddle and bar tape, nevertheless one interesting feature is the pedals. They are using the new Speedplay Zero Aero pedals which have a matching dimpled cleat that Speedplay say makes for a smoothen and more than aero system than whatsoever of the other pedals out there, information technology is also apparently easier to walk on due to its more rounded profile.
We got to cheque out Lars Nail's Specialized SHIV earlier the race as well. This season (and at the Bout) Astana, Tinkoff-Saxo and Etixx Quick-Step are all using Specialized SHIVs in the fourth dimension trials. One interesting fact is that Jakob Fuglsang was contemplating using the new Venge ViAS in the opening TT given its ameliorate handling on the tight circuit and close aero backdrop to the Shiv. For the team TT however, all used the SHIV.
For Lars Boom a full mechanical Campagnolo Super Record groupset is in use, no EPS hither. Corima wheels which are handmade in France are the team'southward official sponsor and unlike some teams (Tinkoff) they haven't rebadged other brand's wheels to use. The Disc and Tri combination seems to be a pop one throughout the team. The Specialized Sitero saddle has become a firm favourite amongst sponsored riders on several of Specialized'south teams, Smash along with many of the pros tin been seen using it.
Boom prefers grip tape over standard bar tape when fourth dimension trialling. Dissimilar the new Venge the Shiv still has frontward facing forepart brakes. Will nosotros see the next evolution of the Shiv lose the brakes from the forepart and have them integrated in to the rear of the fork like the new Venge ViAS, time will tell.
Over at Katusha, Alexander Kristoff has a pretty standard Canyon Speedmax CF, the only major change is the use of Ceramic Speed'southward unique UFO treated concatenation, a concatenation that is only used on the most important of days due to its short life span and difficulty to keep make clean. We covered this in more than depth on stage one. Katusha identify the Di2 junction box beneath the arm pads of the Canyon time trial bikes.
The other team at the Tour using Canyon bikes are Movistar, the team use the same Speedmax CF frame as Katusha, but in a more 'teenage mutant ninja turtle' inspired colour-way. The Power2Max power meter that the team employ hasn't had massive amounts of publicity but the team seem to be sticking with it unlike other teams who swap sponsored ability meters for SRM units.
MTN-Qhubeka sponsor Cervelo take gone all out to celebrate the team's participation in the Tour. The new fleet of Cervelo P5s look stunning in their custom pigment-job, non even the basebars are neglected. The just item that seemed non to accept been painted up to friction match the bikes was the Magura hydraulic brakes.
Enve supply the wheels, this is their kickoff foray into the pro ranks. The rear disc is something that is not on the company website, but looks like a HED disc bicycle rebadged.
The team are sponsored by Selle Italia saddles and there was a existent mixed pocketbook of the brand'due south range on show. Steve Cummings was using the Kronos model, a saddle designed specifically for time trials and triathlons. Other bang-up fiddling features included KMC providing bondage with a affect of yellow, although at that place was not sight of a red and white 1 con the King of the Mountains bailiwick of jersey holder Daniel Teklehaimanot's bike.
Over at Tinkoff-Saxo the difference in wheel choice that I mentioned earlier was well covered up by SciCon wheel bags that had been modified by mechanics. Large holes for the Cassette and skewers had been made to keep the spare Lightweight Autobahn's from being noticed as well much. The wheels on the bikes though were not hidden from sight. The team's official wheel sponsors are oddly split between Vision and Roval. Kit on the Tinkoff-Saxo Shiv's was a mixture of Dura-ace components with FSA K-Force SRM compatible chainsets with the preparatory Specialized brakes. Tyres were from Specialized with their Turbo tubulars that were introduced last twelvemonth.
Lampre-Merida were aboard the team's secondary sponsor's Warp TT bike. Fulcrum Racing Speed 8 front wheels matched with Fulcrum's racing Speed Disc wheels shod in Conti's Completion Pro LTD tubulars keep them rubber side down. Castilian company Rotor supply the team with their blend Flow chainset, a smoother and more aero version of their route chainsets. Shifting is taken care of by Dura-Ace Di2 likewise as the braking with Shimano'due south Dura-Ace directly mount brakes.
The last team we got to look at was Ag2r-La Mondiale on their Focus Izalco Chrono bikes. The team have had up to six riders using the new Sram wireless groupsets in the route stages but nosotros never managed to spot the secretive production on any of the TT bikes. Instead the mechanics had fitted the Sram Red22 groupset. Wheels were from Sram's sister visitor Zipp, saddles come from Fizik'southward e'er growing range and tyres were the Schwalbe One tubulars.
Source: https://cyclingtips.com/2015/07/tour-de-france-tech-time-trial-bikes/
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