Amgen tour of California 2012

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Pro bike: Lance Armstrong's Team Radioshack Trek Speed Concept Unity

  • Lance Armstrong (Team Radioshack) has not just one but two of these specially painted Trek Speed Concepts to use in this year's Tour de France. This is his spare machine.

    Lance Armstrong (Team Radioshack) has not just one but two of these specially painted Trek Speed Concepts to use in this year's Tour de France. This is his spare machine.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear disc wheel is badged as a Bontrager but the underlying pattern suggest it's a Lightweight instead.

    The rear disc wheel is badged as a Bontrager but the underlying pattern suggest it's a Lightweight instead.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's primary rig differs little from the spare with the lone exceptions being a modified rear derailleur and a very slightly different base bar grip.

    Armstrong's primary rig differs little from the spare with the lone exceptions being a modified rear derailleur and a very slightly different base bar grip.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A recent visit to the folks at Retül prompted Armstrong to run two pedal axle washers on the driveside to straighten out his stroke.

    A recent visit to the folks at Retül prompted Armstrong to run two pedal axle washers on the driveside to straighten out his stroke.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Just one pedal washer is used on the non-driveside.

    Just one pedal washer is used on the non-driveside.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Trek Speed Concept's unique Kamm tail tube shapes supposedly mimic the aerodynamic performance of a far deeper section but with less material and better lateral stiffness.

    The Trek Speed Concept's unique Kamm tail tube shapes supposedly mimic the aerodynamic performance of a far deeper section but with less material and better lateral stiffness.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's Zipp VukaR2C shifters are decorated with a pair of SRAM's frog icons.

    Armstrong's Zipp VukaR2C shifters are decorated with a pair of SRAM's frog icons.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bontrager's new 'SC' skewers tuck neatly behind the fork blade and rear dropout.

    Bontrager's new 'SC' skewers tuck neatly behind the fork blade and rear dropout.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Early_samples of the Speed Concept included a molded-in hump behind the stem but it's now been replaced with a rubber cap.

    Early_samples of the Speed Concept included a molded-in hump behind the stem but it's now been replaced with a rubber cap.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's spare bike features a full SRAM drivetrain.

    Armstrong's spare bike features a full SRAM drivetrain.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's carbon fiber rear derailleur cage was made by Wolfgang Berner.

    Armstrong's carbon fiber rear derailleur cage was made by Wolfgang Berner.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The_bar_layout is decidedly clean with all of the cables running inside the stem right into the frame.

    The_bar_layout is decidedly clean with all of the cables running inside the stem right into the frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's base bars have a small built-up section just at the end, presumably to provide a more secure purchase for his hands.

    Armstrong's base bars have a small built-up section just at the end, presumably to provide a more secure purchase for his hands.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This is essentially what's hiding beneath that massive rear derailleur cage - an oversized 13T upper pulley and a 15T lower one. The thinking is that it reduces drivetrain friction and it's an idea that's gaining popularity in the peloton. SRAM is currently evaluating the concept for production.

    This is essentially what's hiding beneath that massive rear derailleur cage - an oversized 13T upper pulley and a 15T lower one. The thinking is that it reduces drivetrain friction and it's an idea that's gaining popularity in the peloton. SRAM is currently evaluating the concept for production.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Direct press-fit bottom bracket bearings allow for an extra-wide 90mm shell and broadly spaced chain stays.

    Direct press-fit bottom bracket bearings allow for an extra-wide 90mm shell and broadly spaced chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A removable cap allows access to the brake cable.

    A removable cap allows access to the brake cable.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The center-pull front brake is directly integrated into the fork legs.

    The center-pull front brake is directly integrated into the fork legs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The proprietary rear brake arms are aerodynamically shielded by a small pod beneath the bottom bracket.

    The proprietary rear brake arms are aerodynamically shielded by a small pod beneath the bottom bracket.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mechanics work out some last minute bugs.

    Mechanics work out some last minute bugs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The front end of the Speed Concept is highly integrated, resulting in one of the cleanest looking setups in the peloton.

    The front end of the Speed Concept is highly integrated, resulting in one of the cleanest looking setups in the peloton.

    Photo credit © James Huang