Amgen tour of California 2012

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More bikes of the Tour de France: what the pros are riding this year

  • BMC's Cadel Evans and George Hincapie are using the company's new Impec model.

    BMC's Cadel Evans and George Hincapie are using the company's new Impec model.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step is using FFWD wheels in this year's Tour de France, including a new 60mm-deep model.

    Quick Step is using FFWD wheels in this year's Tour de France, including a new 60mm-deep model.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat tubes on Team Milram's Focus Izalco Team frames are noticeably asymmetrical.

    Seat tubes on Team Milram's Focus Izalco Team frames are noticeably asymmetrical.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Most Team Milram riders opt for fi'zi:k Arione saddles with Niki Terpstra being a notable exception.

    Most Team Milram riders opt for fi'zi:k Arione saddles with Niki Terpstra being a notable exception.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Focus has aimed for a balance of stiffness, rider comfort, and crash resistance on Team Milram's Izalco Team frames.

    Focus has aimed for a balance of stiffness, rider comfort, and crash resistance on Team Milram's Izalco Team frames.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Brake and derailleur lines enter the frame right at the tapered head tube.

    Brake and derailleur lines enter the frame right at the tapered head tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Milram is using the Focus Izalco Team in this year's Tour de France.

    Team Milram is using the Focus Izalco Team in this year's Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Milram's Focus Izalco Team frames feature modestly tapered steerer tubes.

    Team Milram's Focus Izalco Team frames feature modestly tapered steerer tubes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chunky aluminum replaceable derailleur hangers are mounted to the rear ends of Team Milram's Focus Izalco Teams.

    Chunky aluminum replaceable derailleur hangers are mounted to the rear ends of Team Milram's Focus Izalco Teams.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Milram's Niki Terpstra gets a bit of customization on his Focus Izalco Team.

    Team Milram's Niki Terpstra gets a bit of customization on his Focus Izalco Team.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • FSA's OS-99 stem features a carbon exterior surrounding a thin aluminum core.

    FSA's OS-99 stem features a carbon exterior surrounding a thin aluminum core.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Milram is again using Carbonsports Lightweight wheels.

    Team Milram is again using Carbonsports Lightweight wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Continental tubulars are mounted to FFWD carbon rims on the Quick Step team bikes.

    Continental tubulars are mounted to FFWD carbon rims on the Quick Step team bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • BBB supplies Quick Step with team-edition computers.

    BBB supplies Quick Step with team-edition computers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step's Eddy Merckx EMX-5 frames include noticeably swoopy seat stays.

    Quick Step's Eddy Merckx EMX-5 frames include noticeably swoopy seat stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step team bikes are fitted with Deda bars and stems.

    Quick Step team bikes are fitted with Deda bars and stems.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • FFWD wheels are built around DT Swiss hubs.

    FFWD wheels are built around DT Swiss hubs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step captain Sylvain Chavanel has scored two stage wins so far in this year's Tour de France aboard Eddy Merckx's latest EMX-5 model.

    Quick Step captain Sylvain Chavanel has scored two stage wins so far in this year's Tour de France aboard Eddy Merckx's latest EMX-5 model.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step's Eddy Merckx EMX-5 frames are fitted with Campagnolo Record components.

    Quick Step's Eddy Merckx EMX-5 frames are fitted with Campagnolo Record components.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Quick Step frames are fitted with these simply chain watchers.

    Quick Step frames are fitted with these simply chain watchers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This SRAM chainring is normally used only for time trials but some Milram riders are using them on the road, too.

    This SRAM chainring is normally used only for time trials but some Milram riders are using them on the road, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain watchers have become virtually required equipment at the Tour de France.

    Chain watchers have become virtually required equipment at the Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Focus Izalco Team frames of Team Milram feature BB30 bottom brackets. Derailleur housings are internally routed through full-length tubes visible on the surface.

    The Focus Izalco Team frames of Team Milram feature BB30 bottom brackets. Derailleur housings are internally routed through full-length tubes visible on the surface.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Reynolds provides Ag2r-La Mondiale with a variety of its carbon wheels.

    Reynolds provides Ag2r-La Mondiale with a variety of its carbon wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Selle San Marco provides Ag2r-La Mondiale with matching saddles.

    Selle San Marco provides Ag2r-La Mondiale with matching saddles.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Time's recently introduced iClic pedals are used by Ag2r-La Mondiale.

    Time's recently introduced iClic pedals are used by Ag2r-La Mondiale.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ag2r-La Mondiale is again using its light and snappy Kuota KOM frames.

    Ag2r-La Mondiale is again using its light and snappy Kuota KOM frames.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ag2r-La Mondiale team bikes feature full SRAM Red groups.

    Ag2r-La Mondiale team bikes feature full SRAM Red groups.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM supplies Ag2r-La Mondiale with its Red BB30 cranks.

    SRAM supplies Ag2r-La Mondiale with its Red BB30 cranks.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A pair of Elite cages are mounted to the Kuota KOMs of Ag2r-La Mondiale.

    A pair of Elite cages are mounted to the Kuota KOMs of Ag2r-La Mondiale.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ag2r-La Mondiale's Kuota KOM frames are fitted with SRAM Red brake calipers.

    Ag2r-La Mondiale's Kuota KOM frames are fitted with SRAM Red brake calipers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The BMC Impec's 'shell node' lugs are formed in two halves. BMC says this yields better tube alignment and more precise control over glue placement.

    The BMC Impec's 'shell node' lugs are formed in two halves. BMC says this yields better tube alignment and more precise control over glue placement.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • BMC team sponsor Easton provides Cadel Evans with special world champion-edition wheels.

    BMC team sponsor Easton provides Cadel Evans with special world champion-edition wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Milram riders have their choice of multiple FSA bar bends.

    Milram riders have their choice of multiple FSA bar bends.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The offset seat stays on the Impec supposedly yields a slightly softer ride - but we can't help but notice the unsightly gaps in the lug halves.

    The offset seat stays on the Impec supposedly yields a slightly softer ride - but we can't help but notice the unsightly gaps in the lug halves.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cables are internally routed in typical BMC fashion.

    Cables are internally routed in typical BMC fashion.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Dropouts on the Impec are made of molded carbon fiber.

    Dropouts on the Impec are made of molded carbon fiber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • George Hincapie (BMC) also gets a little bit of customization on his Impec.

    George Hincapie (BMC) also gets a little bit of customization on his Impec.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • BMC frames have always been easy to spot from a distance and the latest Impec is no different.

    BMC frames have always been easy to spot from a distance and the latest Impec is no different.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cadel Evans gets his own personalized saddle from Selle Italia.

    Cadel Evans gets his own personalized saddle from Selle Italia.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ag2r-La Mondiale team riders grab hold of Deda bars.

    Ag2r-La Mondiale team riders grab hold of Deda bars.

    Photo credit © James Huang