A bit of electrical tape around the valve stem keeps it from rattling.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM Red DoubleTap levers are mounted high on Cancellara's FSA Energy New Ergo aluminum handlebar.(Image credit: James Huang)
The down tube measures roughly 65mm in width through nearly its entire length all the way down to the bottom bracket shell.(Image credit: James Huang)
Tacx Tao cages keep the bidons at the ready.(Image credit: James Huang)
The innovative SRAM Red PowerDome cassette is machined from a solid block of steel to form a hollow cone, which is then sealed with an aluminum backplate.(Image credit: James Huang)
Saxo Bank mechanics switched the chains on team bikes from SRAM to Shimano Dura-Ace the Monday after Cancellara's unfortunate mishap on the Koppenberg.(Image credit: James Huang)
A Sigma 1106 computer tracks the kilometers for Cancellara.(Image credit: James Huang)
Filling the shell is Specialized's own S-Works carbon crankset.(Image credit: James Huang)
Carbon fiber is used for most of the structure but aluminum is used for high-wear items such as the dropouts.(Image credit: James Huang)
SRAM Red brake calipers are installed both front(Image credit: James Huang)
The stiffer steel cage of the second-tier Force front derailleur presumably provides snappier shift performance than the lighter - but softer - titanium one of Red.(Image credit: James Huang)
Gore sealed derailleur cables and housing keep the muck from gumming up the shifting.(Image credit: James Huang)
Zipp attach their new 303 rims to their newest set of hubs which now have threaded outer collars for easy bearing adjustments.(Image credit: James Huang)
The 1 1/2" lower bearing stiffens up the fork but also provides a stouter union between the head tube and down tube.(Image credit: James Huang)
(Image credit: James Huang)
One of the Tarmac SL2's distinctive features is its tapered head tube, which is also slightly shorter on Cancellara's 'Pro' version geometry.(Image credit: James Huang)
The integrated bottom bracket design allows for a narrower, lighter, and stiffer crankset.(Image credit: James Huang)
Even with all that power, Cancellara is happy to use Speedplay Zero Titanium pedals instead of their stouter stainless steel version.(Image credit: James Huang)
(Image credit: James Huang)
Saxo Bank recently switched from Shimano to SRAM componentry.(Image credit: James Huang)
Cancellara's bike rolls on prototype Zipp 303 carbon tubular rims which use a new wider profile and toroidal shape similar to that of the deeper 1080.(Image credit: James Huang)
Specialized are sticking to a conventional seatpost design for its greater convenience over integrated designs.(Image credit: James Huang)
The top tube flows smoothly into the seat stays.(Image credit: James Huang)
The seat tube starts out round up top but transitions to a rectangular profile down by the bottom bracket.(Image credit: James Huang)
Even with the shorter head tube Cancellara has his adjustable Specialized Pro-Set stem set as low as it will go.(Image credit: James Huang)
Wrapped around the rims are Veloflex tubulars with the badges conspicuously concealed.(Image credit: James Huang)
Cancellara makes the switch from Cerv(Image credit: James Huang)
Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) hasn’t changed allegiances from last year to this one in spite of a new team name, new colors and new kit. The team is still run by Bjarne Riis and most of the old Team CSC-Saxo Bank infrastructure is still in place but Cancellara has found himself with a new frameset and now even a whole different set of componentry for 2009 nonetheless.
Specialized have stepped in as the team sponsor this year and Cancellara tackled this past Sunday’s Ronde van Vlaanderen aboard the company’s flagship S-Works Tarmac SL2. Though obviously differing in design philosophy from his old primary machine, the Cervélo SLC-SL, it does share some similar cues with his old R3 cobble-fighter.
Like that R3, the Tarmac SL2’s seat tube starts out round up top before transitioning to a more rectangular profile down by the bottom bracket and matches extra-tall and chunky chain stays to relatively slender seat stays to provide stout drivetrain response but also good comfort – undoubtedly a valued asset on Belgian cobbles.
The Specialized otherwise strays significantly though with a tapered head tube that flares from a standard 1 1/8” up top to a giant 1 1/2" at the fork crown to provide surer steering and braking. As a side benefit, it also provides more real estate for the substantial down tube, which measures roughly 65mm in diameter from end to end to prevent unwanted flex. In contrast, the bowed top tube is fairly slender and flat to allow for some counteracting vertical movement.
Down below, the bottom bracket shell is filled with integrated press-fit bearings and Specialized’s own S-Works carbon crank. Essentially identical to the now-open BB30 standard, the larger diameter shell allows for larger bearings for improved durability, a bigger spindle for increased rigidity, plus more heel clearance for Cancellara’s ankles.
Frame modifications specifically for ‘De Ronde’ were seemingly nonexistent as Cancellara retained the stock ‘Pro’-version geometry with its shorter head tube – which is now offered to consumers after a team-only run last season. We weren’t able to check for any additional carbon plies to further bolster the frame though given the Swiss rider’s considerable power we wouldn’t be surprised. As with other ProTour-level Specialized bikes we’ve seen in the past, the stock replaceable rear derailleur hanger has been traded for a non-replaceable solid unit for snappier shift performance.
Saxo Bank started out the year on Shimano Dura-Ace components but recently made a switch to SRAM’s top-end Red package including their quick-action DoubleTap shift/brake levers, ceramic bearing-equipped rear derailleur, ultralight PowerDome cassette and PC-1090 chain. Cancellara apparently prefers the front derailleur from the second-tier Force group for its stiffer steel cage, however, and after that unfortunate – and very public – mishap on the Koppenberg, Saxo Bank mechanics were seen swapping the team bikes to Dura-Ace 7900 chains the following Monday.
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Cancellara is at least on familiar Zipp wheels this season, though only in name in the case of their versatile 303 model. Zipp have developed a new prototype 303 that boasts a substantially wider – about 27mm at their midsection – toroidal profile that is said to be much more resistant to impact and presumably more aerodynamic than before. The team-only prototypes currently fly without Zipp’s trademark dimples but production versions will surely be equipped once they eventually hit the marketplace.
Capping off the package are Speedplay Zero Titanium pedals, a Prologo Scratch Pro TR saddle, Veloflex tubulars (with badges conspicuously penned over), a seatpost, stem and handlebar package from FSA, a pair of Tacx Tao cages, and a Sigma 1106 computer.
Total weight as seen here is 7.51kg (16.56lb).
Sunday’s Ronde may not have gone as expected but given his early exit that day, Cancellara is at least rested for Gent-Wevelgem where he’ll take his Tarmac SL2 for another run at the top podium step. According to team mechanics, Paris-Roubaix will bring a slightly modified S-Works Roubaix SL2 to replace the Tarmac though we’ll have to wait a bit to catch a glimpse at that one. Bring on the cobbles!
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.86m (6' 1") ; Weight: 80kg (176lb) Seat tube length, c-c: 503mm Seat tube length, c-t: 552mm Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 785mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 640mm C of front wheel to top of bars (next to stem): 572mm Handlebar drop: 255mm Top tube length: 582mm
Front brake: SRAM Red Rear brake: SRAM Red Brake levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM Force Rear derailleur: SRAM Red Shift levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap Cassette: SRAM OG-1090, 11-23T Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7900 Crankset: Specialized S-Works Carbon Road, 175mm, 53/38T Bottom bracket: Specialized S-Works integrated
Bars: FSA Energy New Ergo, 44cm (c-c) Stem: Specialized Pro-Set, 130 x -13° Headset: Cane Creek integrated Tape/grip: Specialized BG Roubaix
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Titanium Seat post: FSA K-Force SB25 Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro TR Bottle cages: Tacx Tao Computer: Sigma 1106 Other accessories: Gore sealed derailleur cable and housing
Total bike weight: 7.31kg (16.12lb)
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