Amgen tour of California 2012

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Tour tech: More tidbits from the Tour de France

  • HTC-Columbia sprinter Mark Cavendish gets ceramic-equipped alloy pulleys, too, but his are red.

    HTC-Columbia sprinter Mark Cavendish gets ceramic-equipped alloy pulleys, too, but his are red.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Francais des Jeux is primarily using tubular tires for the main race bikes but most of the spare machines are fitted with Hutchinson Road Tubeless rubber.

    Francais des Jeux is primarily using tubular tires for the main race bikes but most of the spare machines are fitted with Hutchinson Road Tubeless rubber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This 2011 Mavic R-Sys rim is notable for its new brake track texture as well as the interesting extra-hard surface finish. We'll have more official information in a few weeks.

    This 2011 Mavic R-Sys rim is notable for its new brake track texture as well as the interesting extra-hard surface finish. We'll have more official information in a few weeks.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mavic neutral spare bikes naturally come with the company's own brake calipers.

    Mavic neutral spare bikes naturally come with the company's own brake calipers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mavic neutral spares aren't exactly ratty hand-me-downs with Campagnolo Chorus componentry.

    Mavic neutral spares aren't exactly ratty hand-me-downs with Campagnolo Chorus componentry.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This Mavic neutral spare bike has its own pedals installed but others have toe clips to accommodate any rider's shoes.

    This Mavic neutral spare bike has its own pedals installed but others have toe clips to accommodate any rider's shoes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Spare Mavic neutral bikes have a multitude of wheels fitted, including the 2011 Cosmic Carbone SLRs as seen here.

    Spare Mavic neutral bikes have a multitude of wheels fitted, including the 2011 Cosmic Carbone SLRs as seen here.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mavic uses Cannondale CAAD9 aluminum frames as the basis for its spare bikes.

    Mavic uses Cannondale CAAD9 aluminum frames as the basis for its spare bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Rotor's latest Q-Rings include revised tooth profiles plus new graphics.

    Rotor's latest Q-Rings include revised tooth profiles plus new graphics.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Rotor says the new Q-Ring tooth profile yields smoother downshifts than before.

    Rotor says the new Q-Ring tooth profile yields smoother downshifts than before.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Berner cage-equipped SRAM Red rear derailleurs use a carbon fiber outer cage plate and an aluminum inner one.

    The Berner cage-equipped SRAM Red rear derailleurs use a carbon fiber outer cage plate and an aluminum inner one.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The top SRAM-equipped GC riders in this year's Tour de France are using these special Red rear derailleurs, retrofitted with Berner large-diameter pulleys and cages that supposedly decrease drivetrain drag.

    The top SRAM-equipped GC riders in this year's Tour de France are using these special Red rear derailleurs, retrofitted with Berner large-diameter pulleys and cages that supposedly decrease drivetrain drag.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Mavic aluminum brake surface sports a fine texture that presumably yields better brake pad bite. There's likely a new extra-hard surface treatment, too, as otherwise the texture would quickly wear off.

    The new Mavic aluminum brake surface sports a fine texture that presumably yields better brake pad bite. There's likely a new extra-hard surface treatment, too, as otherwise the texture would quickly wear off.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mavic's Cosmic Carbone 80 makes an appearance in official trim, complete with proper labeling.

    Mavic's Cosmic Carbone 80 makes an appearance in official trim, complete with proper labeling.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mavic's old brake track is similar to the machined surfaces used by the vast majority of wheel manufacturers.

    Mavic's old brake track is similar to the machined surfaces used by the vast majority of wheel manufacturers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Hutchinson's latest Fusion 3 Road Tubeless model continues to close the performance gap but the concept probably still has a ways to go before it's fully embraced by top pros.

    Hutchinson's latest Fusion 3 Road Tubeless model continues to close the performance gap but the concept probably still has a ways to go before it's fully embraced by top pros.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin's latest Edge 500 is available in both Garmin-Transitions team colors, the original blue or this more neutral black.

    Garmin's latest Edge 500 is available in both Garmin-Transitions team colors, the original blue or this more neutral black.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • 3T's never-come-loose Palladio seatpost makes an appearance on this Garmin-Transitions team bike.

    3T's never-come-loose Palladio seatpost makes an appearance on this Garmin-Transitions team bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) used his old bike for both stage wins in this year's Tour de France but based on the changes we've seen, it's for fit reasons, not because of the bike itself. We expect to see him back on the new rig soon.

    Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) used his old bike for both stage wins in this year's Tour de France but based on the changes we've seen, it's for fit reasons, not because of the bike itself. We expect to see him back on the new rig soon.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) is marking this year's 'kills' with crossed samurai swords.

    Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) is marking this year's 'kills' with crossed samurai swords.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • They're back! We've still got plenty of time to see how many of these Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) will rack up before the end of the Tour de France.

    They're back! We've still got plenty of time to see how many of these Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) will rack up before the end of the Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ok, now it's official: Ceramicspeed is providing ceramic bearings to HTC-Columbia.

    Ok, now it's official: Ceramicspeed is providing ceramic bearings to HTC-Columbia.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • HTC-Columbia inked a late deal with Danish bearing outfit Ceramicspeed during the prologue and team bikes are now fully equipped across the board.

    HTC-Columbia inked a late deal with Danish bearing outfit Ceramicspeed during the prologue and team bikes are now fully equipped across the board.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Garmin-Transitions GC hopeful Ryder Hesjedal dons a frozen bodysuit after hot stages to help quickly bring his core temperature down - one of the keys to a good recovery according to team directeur sportif Jonathan Vaughters.

    Garmin-Transitions GC hopeful Ryder Hesjedal dons a frozen bodysuit after hot stages to help quickly bring his core temperature down - one of the keys to a good recovery according to team directeur sportif Jonathan Vaughters.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The upper pulley has 13T and the lower one 15T.

    The upper pulley has 13T and the lower one 15T.

    Photo credit © James Huang