Amgen tour of California 2012

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Yet more bikes of the Tour de France – what the pros are riding

  • Radioshack team leader Lance Armstrong, of course, gets his own custom rig.

    Radioshack team leader Lance Armstrong, of course, gets his own custom rig.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Radioshack is mostly using Bontrager carbon wheels in this year's Tour de France.

    Team Radioshack is mostly using Bontrager carbon wheels in this year's Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Radioshack handlebar ends are capped with vibration-reducing Bontrager Buzz-Kill plugs.

    Team Radioshack handlebar ends are capped with vibration-reducing Bontrager Buzz-Kill plugs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lance Armstrong (Team Radioshack) continues to run his levers very high on the VR-bend Bontrager bars.

    Lance Armstrong (Team Radioshack) continues to run his levers very high on the VR-bend Bontrager bars.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky may run a few different makes of wheels but they're all wrapped with Veloflex tires.

    Sky may run a few different makes of wheels but they're all wrapped with Veloflex tires.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Check out the lightweight alloy plug and top cap assemblies on the Sky team bikes.

    Check out the lightweight alloy plug and top cap assemblies on the Sky team bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky team bikes feature Deda bars and stems.

    Sky team bikes feature Deda bars and stems.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Prologo saddles are scattered throughout the peloton but this cutout Nago Pas model is still quite rare.

    Prologo saddles are scattered throughout the peloton but this cutout Nago Pas model is still quite rare.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Even without frame labels, the curvy rear stays unmistakably identify this bike as a Pinarello.

    Even without frame labels, the curvy rear stays unmistakably identify this bike as a Pinarello.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • UK-sourced pulleys from Ultimate Ceramic Bearings are fitted to the Sky team's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleurs.

    UK-sourced pulleys from Ultimate Ceramic Bearings are fitted to the Sky team's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleurs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Though this bike isn't fitted as such in this image, Sky team mechanics have nonetheless glued a small magnet to the down tube for use with an SRM power meter.

    Though this bike isn't fitted as such in this image, Sky team mechanics have nonetheless glued a small magnet to the down tube for use with an SRM power meter.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky is running Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 across the board.

    Sky is running Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 across the board.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Radioshack bikes are equipped with SRAM Red cranks and some riders opt for the stiffer TT outer ring, too.

    Radioshack bikes are equipped with SRAM Red cranks and some riders opt for the stiffer TT outer ring, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Hmm, what's this, you might ask?

    Hmm, what's this, you might ask?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team mechanics can add or subtract as many weights as needed in order to hit the magical 6.8kg mark. The added mass is low on the bike and it adds virtually zero rotating inertia, too.

    Team mechanics can add or subtract as many weights as needed in order to hit the magical 6.8kg mark. The added mass is low on the bike and it adds virtually zero rotating inertia, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lance Armstrong's wheels are also decaled to match his custom paint job.

    Lance Armstrong's wheels are also decaled to match his custom paint job.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Interestingly, some Team Radioshack riders have opted for Bontrager's Evoke saddle - a model normally intended for mountain bikes.

    Interestingly, some Team Radioshack riders have opted for Bontrager's Evoke saddle - a model normally intended for mountain bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • All of Team Radioshack is on Look's K

    All of Team Radioshack is on Look's K

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Standard Team Radioshack bikes get this bold red, black and white paint job.

    Standard Team Radioshack bikes get this bold red, black and white paint job.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lance Armstrong's bike is shown here with SRAM's Red LTE group but he later swapped to a different rear derailleur with an oversized Berner cage.

    Lance Armstrong's bike is shown here with SRAM's Red LTE group but he later swapped to a different rear derailleur with an oversized Berner cage.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A SRAM/SRM power meter is mounted up with Red chainrings on this Team Radioshack bike.

    A SRAM/SRM power meter is mounted up with Red chainrings on this Team Radioshack bike.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Some Team Radioshack riders have decided to run o.symetric chainrings - and check out the homemade chain watcher.

    Some Team Radioshack riders have decided to run o.symetric chainrings - and check out the homemade chain watcher.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This Team Radioshack bike has a Red cassette installed but the team has mostly been using the quieter-running PG-1070 model.

    This Team Radioshack bike has a Red cassette installed but the team has mostly been using the quieter-running PG-1070 model.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Radioshack bikes are built with sealed Gore Ride-On cable sets throughout.

    Team Radioshack bikes are built with sealed Gore Ride-On cable sets throughout.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • We're not sure this tube sculpting is functional but it's eye-catching nonetheless.

    We're not sure this tube sculpting is functional but it's eye-catching nonetheless.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky is running the same Pinarello Dogma frames as Caisse d'Epargne but wrapped in a more subtle black and blue scheme.

    Sky is running the same Pinarello Dogma frames as Caisse d'Epargne but wrapped in a more subtle black and blue scheme.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Wesley Sulzberger's (Francaise des Jeux) Lapierre Xelius is topped with a fi'zi:k Arione saddle.

    Wesley Sulzberger's (Francaise des Jeux) Lapierre Xelius is topped with a fi'zi:k Arione saddle.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The control wire for the Francaise des Jeux team's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission is fed into the frame on the underside of the down tube.

    The control wire for the Francaise des Jeux team's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission is fed into the frame on the underside of the down tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Francaise des Jeux team Lapierre frames are drilled for internal wire routing, though the exact cable path is somewhat unusual.

    Francaise des Jeux team Lapierre frames are drilled for internal wire routing, though the exact cable path is somewhat unusual.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Lapierre's top-end machine features an integrated seatmast.

    Lapierre's top-end machine features an integrated seatmast.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers are clamped around traditional-profile PRO handlebars on this Francaise des Jeux machine.

    Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers are clamped around traditional-profile PRO handlebars on this Francaise des Jeux machine.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Australian Francaise des Jeux rider Wesley Sulzberger sported this playful decal on his non-driveside chain stay.

    Australian Francaise des Jeux rider Wesley Sulzberger sported this playful decal on his non-driveside chain stay.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Francaise des Jeux is using Lapierre's latest Xelius carbon frames in this year's Tour de France.

    Francaise des Jeux is using Lapierre's latest Xelius carbon frames in this year's Tour de France.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Francaise des Jeux bikes are equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace cranks and pedals.

    Francaise des Jeux bikes are equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace cranks and pedals.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • PRO handlebars and stems are clamped on to Easton forks on the Francaise des Jeux bikes.

    PRO handlebars and stems are clamped on to Easton forks on the Francaise des Jeux bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain stays on Francaise des Jeux's Lapierre Xelius frames are tall but angled inwards towards the bottom.

    Chain stays on Francaise des Jeux's Lapierre Xelius frames are tall but angled inwards towards the bottom.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This isn't an attempt by Francaise des Jeux mechanics to scrape off a tire label - it's simply the result of very aggressive cornering.

    This isn't an attempt by Francaise des Jeux mechanics to scrape off a tire label - it's simply the result of very aggressive cornering.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Francaise des Jeux mechanics were trying to figure out a way to secure attach a telemetry transmitter prior to the start of the stage.

    Francaise des Jeux mechanics were trying to figure out a way to secure attach a telemetry transmitter prior to the start of the stage.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Zip-ties didn't seem too effective at first so maybe this toe strap will work better?

    Zip-ties didn't seem too effective at first so maybe this toe strap will work better?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Like HTC-Columbia, Sky doesn't limit itself to one manufacturer's wheel offerings, preferring here to lace up Shimano hubs to rims of its own choosing - these look like HEDs to us.

    Like HTC-Columbia, Sky doesn't limit itself to one manufacturer's wheel offerings, preferring here to lace up Shimano hubs to rims of its own choosing - these look like HEDs to us.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky) is apparently doing some saddle testing with Prologo given the 'Flecha, medium' badging beneath the shell.

    Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky) is apparently doing some saddle testing with Prologo given the 'Flecha, medium' badging beneath the shell.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • And the rest choosing o.symetric's radical harmonic chainrings.

    And the rest choosing o.symetric's radical harmonic chainrings.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky team riders are split roughly in half over chainring preferences, with some opting for the standard Shimano rings.

    Sky team riders are split roughly in half over chainring preferences, with some opting for the standard Shimano rings.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The chain watchers on the Sky team bikes not only offer a bit of insurance against a dropped chain but also a handy strapping point for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire.

    The chain watchers on the Sky team bikes not only offer a bit of insurance against a dropped chain but also a handy strapping point for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Team Sky bikes feature Shimano cassettes, usually mounted on Shimano wheels as well.

    Team Sky bikes feature Shimano cassettes, usually mounted on Shimano wheels as well.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Elite's new Sior carbon cages make another appearance at the Tour de France, this time on the bikes of Sky.

    Elite's new Sior carbon cages make another appearance at the Tour de France, this time on the bikes of Sky.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bradley Wiggins (Sky) runs his Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers fairly low on the bars.

    Bradley Wiggins (Sky) runs his Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers fairly low on the bars.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Sky team mechanics cut the end of the bar tape clean.

    Sky team mechanics cut the end of the bar tape clean.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tubes are gently sculpted on the Francaise des Jeux Lapierre team frames.

    Tubes are gently sculpted on the Francaise des Jeux Lapierre team frames.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Elite carbon cages are fitted to the Francaise des Jeux team bikes.

    Elite carbon cages are fitted to the Francaise des Jeux team bikes.

    Photo credit © James Huang