A few new bits from the last warm-up to Paris-Roubaix
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Vacansoleil-DCM rider Romain Feillu used a Deda track stem to get his bars low enough. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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This Saur-Sojasun Rotor crank is fitted with round chainrings. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Time still sees fit to include threaded adjusters on the down tube housing stops for Saur-Sojasun team bikes - a handy convenience for both rider and mechanic. Note the sealed Gore Ride-On cables, too. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Saur-Sojasun's Time RXRS Ulteam bikes featured Rotor cranks. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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While some riders like Theo Bos opted for a carbon bar, some other Rabobank riders went with an aluminum one instead. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Matching fork tips on the front end of Rabobank's modified Giant TCR Advanced SL machines add 7mm of rake. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Rabobank's modified Giant TCR Advanced SL bikes for Paris-Roubaix use special dropouts that lengthen the chain stays by 7mm. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Rabobank's specially modified Giant TCR Advanced SL machines are difficult to spot if you don't know what you're looking for but these labels help (and probably help the mechanics, too). (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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One might think that all top Shimano-sponsored teams would be on Di2 by now but in fact, some riders still prefer the mechanical version. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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This set of Shimano Dura-Ace cranks have seen a lot of use on this Rabobank machine. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Theo Bos (Rabobank) used a slightly wider-than-normal 23mm Vittoria tire on his 50mm-deep Shimano Dura-Ace carbon tubular wheels. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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A carbon-wrapped stem and carbon bar decorate the front end of Theo Bos's Rabobank Giant TCR Advanced SL. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Rabobank's Theo Bos uses a fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Rabobank riders used a mix of electronic and mechanical Shimano Dura-Ace components at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Rabobank rider Theo Bos used a standard Giant TCR Advanced SL frame for his run at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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QuickStep used Eddy Merckx's new EMX-7 bikes and deep-section Campagnolo Bora Ultra carbon tubulars at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Saur-Sojasun is using Time's RXRS Ulteam bikes this season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Saur-Sojasun's Corima rear hub features aluminum spoke flanges bonded to a carbon fiber center section. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Vacansoleil-DCM bikes featured Vredestein tubulars mounted on FFWD carbon wheels. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Vacansoleil-DCM riders were on a mix of Ridley Noah and Helium models at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Once again, Rotor's 3D cranks are found on a team bike - this one from Vacansoleil - but its elliptical Q-Rings were much more elusive. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Vacansoleil-DCM team bikes were outfitted with Rotor chain catchers. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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This Vacansoleil-DCM bike is fitted with Lizard Skins' cushy DSP bar tape. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Pro riders prefer long and low positions and it's still fairly common to see them use smaller-than-usual frame sizes (to get the head tube length they want) matched with very long stems. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator is using the Eddy Merckx EMX-5 for road events. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Skil-Shimano mechanics took a different approach towards attaching the Dura-Ace Di2 control box to the stem. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Skil-Shimano was using Michelin-branded tubulars on Shimano carbon wheels - though we've been told that they're made by Vittoria. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Skil-Shimano was using Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 components across the board at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Koga says Skil-Shimano's Kimera Road Di2 frame was developed from its winning track design. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Teams used relative tight-ratio cassettes for Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Shimano's carbon-specific blue-compound pads are common currency among the company's sponsored teams. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Skil-Shimano is again sponsored by Koga for 2011. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Saxo Bank-Sungard's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3s rest peacefully before heading off to the start of Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Most Omega Pharma-Lotto riders were using Mavic's versatile and light Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Omega Pharma-Lotto riders forgo the expandable headset spacer of stock builds for a conventional headset cap and expander plug. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Canyon's VCLS seatpost is surprisingly - and intentionally - flexy for extra rider comfort on bad road surfaces. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Katusha's Vladimir Gusev uses a carbon bar clamped inside a carbon-wrapped aluminum stem on his team-issue Focus. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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SwissStop Yellow King pads are fitted to the SRAM Red brake caliper on Katusha's team bikes for predictable stopping performance on carbon rims. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Katusha's Focus bikes are fitted with a mix of FSA and Vision carbon wheels prior to the start of Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Hutchinson tires are mounted to deep-section Campagnolo Bora carbon tubular wheels on this Europcar machine. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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The only downside to Europcar's bright green paint is that it becomes more obvious when it chips, leaving the bare carbon underneath to peek through. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Europcar is using Look KéO Blade pedals. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Europcar's Colnagos are tastefully dressed in metallic green and white paint. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Europcar is on Colnago's C59 this season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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The lugged carbon construction of Colnago's C59 still looks a bit odd as compared to the smoother semi-monocoque or tube-to-tube joints of the competition but Colnago still manages to squeeze in most of the modern features consumers now look for, including a tapered front end. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Europcar's team Colnago C59 bikes were fitted with Campagnolo Record groups. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Cofidis used "Team Prototype" Vittoria Pave Evo CG tubulars mounted on Vittoria Racing Zero wheels at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Cofidis's Look 695 just before the start of Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Cofidis has already swapped its bottle cages in preparation for Sunday's Paris-Roubaix. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Cofidis's Look 695 team bikes were fitted with bottom bracket shell adapters and standard FSA cranks instead of the usual one-piece Look carbon units. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Interestingly, Acqua e Sapone used relatively heavy aluminum clinchers in Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Acqua e Sapone's Bottechia EMME2 Team differs from consumer versions with its integrated seatmast. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Katushs's Vladimir Gusev puts the power down through a standard SRAM Red BB30 crankset. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Katusha riders have their choice of Focus frames - Vladimir Gusev has opted for the Cayo. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Omega Pharma-Lotto rider Kenny DeHaes went aggressive with his wheel choice at Scheldeprijs, opting for 90mm-deep Mavic carbon tubulars front and rear. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Omega Pharma-Lotto's classics-specific Canyon Ultimate AL Pave bikes are easily distinguished by the unique paint job. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Omega Pharma-Lotto bikes are fitted with Campagnolo Record cranks - and this one already has Paris-Roubaix gearing. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Omega Pharma-Lotto used three different Canyon bikes at Scheldeprijs this year, including the Ultimate CF SLX, the Aeroad CF, and the slightly modified Ultimate AL Pave. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Speedplay's classics-specific Zero pedals are a common sight around this time of year. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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NetApp is using these Austrian bikes from Simplon this season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Bontrager's soon-to-be-released Team Issue saddle gets a carbon fiber shell, titanium rails, and very firm foam padding at the request of some Leopard Trek riders. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Bontrager soft goods brand manager Tom Kuefler says this saddle looks similar to the company's old RXL design but is actually a modern evolution of that shape based on rider feedback and more recent scientific testing. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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25mm-wide Schwalbe tires are mounted on Bontrager's new wide-profile carbon tubulars. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Wouter Weylandt (Leopard Trek) used this elegant-looking machine at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Wouter Weylandt's (Leopard Trek) Trek Madone is fitted with a Shimano Dura-Ace crank. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Leopard Trek sprinter Wouter Weylandt uses an aluminum bar clamped in a carbon stem. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Bontrager doesn't currently offer a traditional-bend bar like on Leopard Trek sprinter Wouter Weylandt's bike but it will soon. This was a prototype and not a rebadged model from another manufacturer, according to Bontrager hard goods brand manager Chris Clinton. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Scheldeprijs is virtually pan-flat from start to finish so many riders opted for deep-section wheels that day. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Vladimir Gusev (Katusha) sets himself atop a Prologo Choice Max TR saddle. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Deep-section carbon rims were fairly popular among the peloton at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
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Acqua e Sapone is using Bottechia's EMME2 Team frameset this season. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
We've seen bigger European teams running clinchers in major events before - FDJ on Hutchinson Road Tubeless at Paris-Roubaix last year, Ag2r during Stage 3 of last year's Tour de France - and we can now add Italy's Acqua e Sapone to the list.
The team arrived at Scheldeprijs with Bottechia's EMME2 Team bikes - the main change from consumer versions being the integrated seatmast in lieu of the standard telescoping post. The carbon framesets were suitably dressed up with a variety of high-end kit that included Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 mechanical groups, Deda bars and stems, Selle San Marco saddles, Look KéO pedals, and - yep - DT Swiss RR 1850 alloy clincher wheels wrapped with tube-type Vittoria Open Pave Evo CG tires.
Ultimately, the wheels' added weight relative to high-end carbon tubulars would have meant little on Scheldeprijs' pan-flat course nor would the clinchers have fared poorly on the mostly cobble-free roads. Even so, it's interesting to see clinchers at a major international race nonetheless.
Are they heavier than equivalent tubulars? Definitely. But given how far clinchers have progressed over the years, it's perhaps unfair to say that they perform more poorly across the board and while Acqua e Sapone's best-placed rider (Alessandro Donati) finished a modest 34th, it's at best speculation that the results would have been better with tires and rims that were glued together.
Mystery Bontrager bits on Wouter Weylandt's Leopard Trek Madone
Leopard Trek sprinter Wouter Weylandt had a rough end to this year's Scheldeprijs but not before putting his Trek Madone to within striking distance of a possible victory.
Weylandt was riding a stock Trek Madone 6.9 with no visible frameset modifications in preparation for this Sunday's Paris-Roubaix. Standard team-issue parts include a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group, Bontrager's latest 50mm-deep wide-profile carbon tubular wheels, Schwalbe tires, and a Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon fiber stem, Race X Lite carbon bottle cages, and Node wireless computer.
A couple of other Bontrager-badged items stand out, though. Weylandt's aluminum bar is labeled as a "Bontrager Race Lite VR" but the deep, classic-type bend doesn't match up with the characteristic VR curve nor does Bontrager currently have a classic-type bend in its handlebar range. As it turns out, Bontrager brand manager Chris Clinton confirmed with us that the company is working with the team on developing such an item for a yet-to-be-determined consumer release.
"Yes, we are working with our Pro teams on a classic bend drop bar," he told BikeRadar. "I don't have details on timing, price, or final bend yet but I can say these are ours and not rebranded bars from another manufacturer."
Likewise, Weylandt's Bontrager saddle isn't listed in the current company catalog but is another example of a soon-to-be-released consumer product that was developed as a result of cooperation with the team.
"When we got on board with the Leopard Trek team as their saddle supplier, we provided the team with our current crop of inForm saddles, as well as some older Bontrager models, and solicited their feedback - saddles being a very personal thing," said Bontrager soft goods brand manager Tom Kuefler. "Some of the riders we happy on an existing inForm saddle; others liked some of the attributes of the older RXL, but of course asked for some updates.
"We took that feedback, and using the "chassis" of the older RXL as a starting point, adjusted the rear curvature based on our inForm scientific research (the curvature of the Team Issue saddle is consistent with the original inForm RXL saddle, which is designed for an aggressive riding posture). The riders also asked us to firm up the ride - seems some of the guys like saddles with very little if any "give" - so we added a carbon shell, solid titanium rails, and very firm Zone Density padding. And then topped it all off with a genuine leather cover."
Kuefler says the new model will ultimately be called the Team Issue. Consumer release looks to be set for later this year.
Omega Pharma-Lotto using a wide mix of machines
Omega Pharma-Lotto bike sponsor Canyon has a wide range of carbon fiber and aluminum road chassis in its repertoire and riders used all three of the company's top-end variants at Scheldeprijs: the Ultimate CF SLX, the Aeroad CF, and the Ultimate AL. Which of the three riders chose seemed based on a number of factors: the rider's role in the race, their desired ride characteristics, and whether they were trying to get some last minute details ironed out before the ultimate test on Sunday.
The Ultimate CF SLX is Omega Pharma-Lotto's usual go-to road race platform and is also Canyon's top-end carbon frame with the highest stiffness-to-weight value in its range. Despite the enormous main triangle tubes and chain stays and the unusually girthy 1 1/4"-to-1 1/2" front end, Canyon has managed to engineer in a remarkable level of comfort to the back end courtesy of the pencil-thin seat stays and intentionally extra-flexy 27.2mm seatpost.
Alternatively, Canyon sacrifices some stiffness (and gains some weight) in trade for aerodynamic performance for the latest Aeroad CF, which focuses on minimizing frontal area by virtue of the teardrop-shaped tubes, more cleanly integrated fork, internally routed cables, and a slimmed-down hourglass-profile head tube. Relative to the Ultimate CF SLX, the Aeroad also rides a little softer, too - a good trait to have on bumpy roads.
Omega Pharma-Lotto is likely to turn to the slightly tweaked Ultimate AL Pavé across the board come Sunday, though. Though heavier than the carbon bikes and offering not quite as refined a ride in stock form, the smaller tube diameters lend additional tire clearance to accommodate the requisite wide-profile tires that are needed to handle the cobbles.
In addition, Canyon's special Pavé machines incorporate longer top tubes than usual to push the front wheel further ahead of the rider, additional clearance on the driveside chain stay to fit a 46T inner chainring, and the OneOneFour fork borrowed from the Ultimate CF SLX for its smoother ride.
Unless they decide to run Mavic's new M40, though, Omega Pharma-Lotto will likely trade the deep-section carbon wheels used at Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs for the more traditional box-section aluminum tubulars it's used in years past.
Rabobank cracks out some of its Paris-Roubaix rigs
Rabobank and team bike sponsor Giant's equipment strategy for Paris-Roubaix falls inline with the most successful strategies in recent years: adopt a few subtle modifications but otherwise stay as close to your usual everyday equipment as possible.
In Rabobank's case, this means Giant TCR Advanced SL frameset equipped with different dropouts that extend the chain stay length by about 7mm plus different fork tips that do the same thing up front - worth noting, too, is that Giant's choice of plug-in aluminum dropouts and tips make such a modification fairly simple to do.
Though it's ultimately just a 14mm change in wheelbase, the end result is effective nonetheless with more stable handling and extra tire clearance to better cope with the Paris-Roubaix cobbles.
While teams sponsored by Zipp and Mavic are expected to run carbon wheels on Sunday, we're expecting more conventional aluminum box-section tubulars to be installed on the Rabobank bikes unless Shimano has something hidden away that we haven't seen yet.
