Amgen tour of California 2012

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Specialized Shiv time trial design possibly banned by UCI

  • Specialized's Shiv was one of the most striking time trial introductions last year but now the UCI has banned its use in competition.

    Specialized's Shiv was one of the most striking time trial introductions last year but now the UCI has banned its use in competition.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Giant's AeroDrive front end bears strong cosmetic resemblance to Specialized's Shiv and may see some changes in the near future.

    Giant's AeroDrive front end bears strong cosmetic resemblance to Specialized's Shiv and may see some changes in the near future.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's Bayonet was one of the first external-steerer fork designs of the modern era and is unaffected by the UCI ban on the Specialized Shiv according to our current information.

    Felt's Bayonet was one of the first external-steerer fork designs of the modern era and is unaffected by the UCI ban on the Specialized Shiv according to our current information.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • According to Trek team liaison Ben Coates - and our direct correspondence with UCI technical advisor Jean Wauthier - the Trek Speed Concept is legal for the team to use this season.

    According to Trek team liaison Ben Coates - and our direct correspondence with UCI technical advisor Jean Wauthier - the Trek Speed Concept is legal for the team to use this season.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek introduced superficially similar design language on its Speed Concept though in this case, the extension in front of the head tube is directly molded in one piece with the rest of the fork.

    Trek introduced superficially similar design language on its Speed Concept though in this case, the extension in front of the head tube is directly molded in one piece with the rest of the fork.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Though the frames themselves are ok, Astana team mechanics may have to remove the 'speed gussets' on the underside of the down tube before the riders can race on them.

    Though the frames themselves are ok, Astana team mechanics may have to remove the 'speed gussets' on the underside of the down tube before the riders can race on them.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Astana reportedly will now have to scramble to build up older-style Transition frames for Sunday similar to this one.

    Astana reportedly will now have to scramble to build up older-style Transition frames for Sunday similar to this one.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Specialized engineers contend that the 'carbon strap' joining the bottom of the nosecone to the fork crown is a key structural component, lending strength and stiffness to what is otherwise only a fairly minimally supported front end.

    Specialized engineers contend that the 'carbon strap' joining the bottom of the nosecone to the fork crown is a key structural component, lending strength and stiffness to what is otherwise only a fairly minimally supported front end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The key sticking point is the Shiv's nosecone, which the UCI feels is not a structural member of the bike and thus solely serves as an aerodynamic fairing.

    The key sticking point is the Shiv's nosecone, which the UCI feels is not a structural member of the bike and thus solely serves as an aerodynamic fairing.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The additional nosecone effectively increased the aspect ratio of the head tube to greater than 3:1 for reduced drag and faster times.

    The additional nosecone effectively increased the aspect ratio of the head tube to greater than 3:1 for reduced drag and faster times.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Shiv's fully integrated front end makes for an incredibly clean frontal profile though recent steps by the UCI mean that it may never see actual production.

    The Shiv's fully integrated front end makes for an incredibly clean frontal profile though recent steps by the UCI mean that it may never see actual production.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Giant Trinity Advanced SL was introduced last season and may also be impacted by the UCI's recent actions.

    The Giant Trinity Advanced SL was introduced last season and may also be impacted by the UCI's recent actions.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Felt DA also uses a fork with an external steerer tube but thus far has not been scrutinized by the UCI.

    The Felt DA also uses a fork with an external steerer tube but thus far has not been scrutinized by the UCI.

    Photo credit © James Huang