Amgen tour of California 2012

powered by Performance Bicycle

TechPowered By

More tech

Tour tech: Custom bikes for (almost) everyone

  • Even the wheels are decaled to match.

    Even the wheels are decaled to match.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Evans runs a lot of saddle setback.

    Evans runs a lot of saddle setback.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Evans' Canyon uses the increasingly common design theme of chunky chain stays paired to spindly seat stays.

    Evans' Canyon uses the increasingly common design theme of chunky chain stays paired to spindly seat stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Evans is one of few riders in the peloton to use a complete Campagnolo Super Record group.

    Evans is one of few riders in the peloton to use a complete Campagnolo Super Record group.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Red bar tape matches the front end of the frame.

    Red bar tape matches the front end of the frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sure, anyone can buy components adorned with the UCI rainbow stripes - but it's much more meaningful when they're actually earned.

    Sure, anyone can buy components adorned with the UCI rainbow stripes - but it's much more meaningful when they're actually earned.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The world championship stripes apparently provide Ballan with enough justification to use the older Look KeO version than the new KeO 2 Max version recently introduced.

    The world championship stripes apparently provide Ballan with enough justification to use the older Look KeO version than the new KeO 2 Max version recently introduced.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Wilier is rightly proud to have a world champion riding one of its bikes this season.

    Wilier is rightly proud to have a world champion riding one of its bikes this season.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bearings are pressed directly into the shell of Ballan's Wilier Cento 1 SL.

    Bearings are pressed directly into the shell of Ballan's Wilier Cento 1 SL.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • How can anyone complain about gold bars?

    How can anyone complain about gold bars?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • It's often an overlooked item but a stout front derailleur tab can make a very appreciable improvement in shift performance over one that's too flexy.

    It's often an overlooked item but a stout front derailleur tab can make a very appreciable improvement in shift performance over one that's too flexy.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This small decal makes it easier for the team to recover its wheels at the end of stage from the Mavic neutral support crew.

    This small decal makes it easier for the team to recover its wheels at the end of stage from the Mavic neutral support crew.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A smidgeon of the Australian national flag pattern is applied to the inside surfaces of the fork blades and chain stays.

    A smidgeon of the Australian national flag pattern is applied to the inside surfaces of the fork blades and chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Even without the name identification there's little mistaking who this bike belongs to.

    Even without the name identification there's little mistaking who this bike belongs to.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Evans runs his brakes Aussie-style with the left lever matched to the rear caliper.

    Evans runs his brakes Aussie-style with the left lever matched to the rear caliper.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A Campagnolo Super Record rear derailleur is bolted to the rear end of Evans' Canyon Ultimate CF Pro.

    A Campagnolo Super Record rear derailleur is bolted to the rear end of Evans' Canyon Ultimate CF Pro.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear brake is fitted with Campagnolo carbon-specific cork pads.

    The rear brake is fitted with Campagnolo carbon-specific cork pads.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Look's new KeO 2 Max pedals have a larger platform for improved stability.

    Look's new KeO 2 Max pedals have a larger platform for improved stability.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There's not much functional difference between Campagnolo Super Record and Record but the slightly reduced weight may provide Evans with a little more leeway in selecting other equipment to hit that magic 6.8kg mark.

    There's not much functional difference between Campagnolo Super Record and Record but the slightly reduced weight may provide Evans with a little more leeway in selecting other equipment to hit that magic 6.8kg mark.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Evans could have gone with an Aussie theme for his custom Canyon but instead he opted for the colours of Tibet to draw attention to the struggles of its people.

    Evans could have gone with an Aussie theme for his custom Canyon but instead he opted for the colours of Tibet to draw attention to the struggles of its people.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The colours are from the Tibetan flag but the kangaroo is all Australia.

    The colours are from the Tibetan flag but the kangaroo is all Australia.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ballan's Fulcrum Racing Speed deep-section carbon tubulars are wrapped in Vittoria rubber.

    Ballan's Fulcrum Racing Speed deep-section carbon tubulars are wrapped in Vittoria rubber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • No need for a repair stand when there are two mechanics on hand.

    No need for a repair stand when there are two mechanics on hand.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • While the majority of his teammates are using Look's new KeO 2 Max pedals, Armstrong continues to use his tried-and-true Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SLs.

    While the majority of his teammates are using Look's new KeO 2 Max pedals, Armstrong continues to use his tried-and-true Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SLs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong's custom finish also carries through to the stem.

    Armstrong's custom finish also carries through to the stem.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lance Armstrong (Astana) has not one but <i>four</i> custom finished bikes to use in this year's Tour de France.

    Lance Armstrong (Astana) has not one but four custom finished bikes to use in this year's Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Not everyone will like the look of Armstrong's custom Trek 6 Series Madone but no one can dispute the completeness of the execution.

    Not everyone will like the look of Armstrong's custom Trek 6 Series Madone but no one can dispute the completeness of the execution.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new 6 Series Madone's fork still uses Trek's tapered E2 design and the cosmetic fork crown cap has been replaced with proper carbon fiber.

    The new 6 Series Madone's fork still uses Trek's tapered E2 design and the cosmetic fork crown cap has been replaced with proper carbon fiber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A Gore 'grub' seal protects about the only part of the rear derailleur cable that would normally sit unprotected with the new Madone's now-internal routing.

    A Gore 'grub' seal protects about the only part of the rear derailleur cable that would normally sit unprotected with the new Madone's now-internal routing.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • These icons may be part of bigger die-cut decals but it still takes a skilled hand to get them laid on properly.

    These icons may be part of bigger die-cut decals but it still takes a skilled hand to get them laid on properly.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Armstrong wants his 'Livestrong' followers to adopt this attitude in the fight against cancer.

    Armstrong wants his 'Livestrong' followers to adopt this attitude in the fight against cancer.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Half of the Astana team is still using Trek's Equinox TTX SSL time trial frame but Armstrong actually has two of these new Speed Concept bikes at his disposal.

    Half of the Astana team is still using Trek's Equinox TTX SSL time trial frame but Armstrong actually has two of these new Speed Concept bikes at his disposal.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lance Armstrong's (Astana) custom Trek Speed Concept is indeed eye-catching.

    Lance Armstrong's (Astana) custom Trek Speed Concept is indeed eye-catching.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Touches of the standard Lampre team colours are still scattered throughout the frame.

    Touches of the standard Lampre team colours are still scattered throughout the frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ballan wants to make sure he doesn't overlook any of the key climbs on Stage 6. Now where are the mechanics going to put that thing

    Ballan wants to make sure he doesn't overlook any of the key climbs on Stage 6. Now where are the mechanics going to put that thing

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Current road world champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) is using this custom painted Wilier Cento 1 SL in this year's Tour de France.

    Current road world champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) is using this custom painted Wilier Cento 1 SL in this year's Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gold and rainbow makes a nice complement to the white background.

    Gold and rainbow makes a nice complement to the white background.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • For whatever reason, Ballan's Record derailleur are paired to a Chorus crank.

    For whatever reason, Ballan's Record derailleur are paired to a Chorus crank.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Trek Speed Concept's steep seat tube requires a seatpost with a lot of setback to get Armstrong's saddle in the correct position.

    The Trek Speed Concept's steep seat tube requires a seatpost with a lot of setback to get Armstrong's saddle in the correct position.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • From an artist's point of view, a full rear disc just provides a bigger canvas to work with.

    From an artist's point of view, a full rear disc just provides a bigger canvas to work with.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Looks like this front wheel was perhaps borrowed from Armstrong's Madone.

    Looks like this front wheel was perhaps borrowed from Armstrong's Madone.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A bit of tape around the valve stem keeps it from rattling.

    A bit of tape around the valve stem keeps it from rattling.

    Photo credit © James Huang