The Di2 gear cable runs along the inside of the top tube(Image credit: Colin Levitch / Immediate Media)
Argon 18 joins the WorldTour peloton in 2017, providing bikes to the Astana team. The model line-up includes the Gallium Pro, E-118 Next and the aero road Nitrogen Pro. Luis Leon Sanchez and his Astana teammates debuted the aero race bike at the Tour Down Under last month.
The Nitrogen Pro is equipped with Vision Metron wheels paired with Schwalbe Pro ONE HT and a hybrid groupset of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifting, a FSA K-Force Light crankset and TRP aerodynamic brakes. The brakes are designed in a similar vein to v-brakes, but with the brake calliper able to sit flush with the back of the fork for less turbulence as the air runs over the forks. The rear brake is a similar design and sits flush with the outer edge of the seat stays.
As the only WorldTour team equipped with FSA groupset components, we were expecting at least some of the Astana riders to be riding the latest FSA WE groupset later in the season.
The Nanotech HM8003 tubing of the aerodynamic frame results in a similarly shaped bladed Argon 18 ASP-5100 seat post, whilst the stem is an alloy 125mm FSA OS 99.
A custom Prologo Zero C3 CPC saddle in Astana team colours and Prologo handlebar tape complete the bike.
Complete bike specifications Frame: Argon 18 Gallium Pro, size M Fork: Argon 18 Gallium Pro Headset: FSA Stem: FSA OS 99 alloy, 125mm Handlebar: FSA Energy, 400m Tape: Prologo Front brake: TRP Front Linear Spring Rear brake: TRP RC Linear Spring Brake/Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Cassette: Shimano Ultegra, 11-28T Chain: Shimano Ultegra, 11 speed Crankset: FSA K-Force Light, 53-39T 175mm Pedals: Look Keo 2 Max Wheelset: Vision Metron Tyres: Schwalbe Pro ONE HT tubular Saddle: Prologo Zero C3 CPC, custom Seatpost: Argon 18 ASP-5100 Bottle cages: Tacx Deva
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.87m Rider's weight: 74kg Saddle height from BB: 795mm Centre of saddle to centre of bar: 720mm Head tube length: 141mm Top tube length (effective): 556mm Total bicycle weight: 7.01kg
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