Frame mods and cobble-specific tweaks - massive gallery
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Saxo Bank riders were mostly on Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4s at Scheldeprijs, with one or two Venges tossed into the mix.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The welds are so well finished on Katusha's Canyon Ultimate AL frames that it can be hard to tell them apart from the carbon fiber ones. The head tube mounted housing stops are the dead giveaway, though.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A sad reminder on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) spare Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new linkage-activated single-pivot SRAM Red brake on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
SRAM PG-1070 cassettes on the bikes of Omega Pharma-QuickStep.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) runs 177.5mm-long crankarms. That guy is tall, you know.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Safety tab-free alloy fork tips on the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 bikes of Omega Pharma-QuickStep.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 is equipped with an older SRAM Red front derailleur (the matching Specialized-compatible chainrings apparently aren't done yet) but the chain catcher from the new group.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look KéO Blade pedals for Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep).(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is one of the only riders in the pro ranks currently on the new SRAM Red group. It's trickling out slowly but surprisingly so.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Subtly tasteful paint and graphics on Tom Boonen's Omega Pharma-QuickStep Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Specialized does have its own range of road tubulars not but these are rebadged 25mm-wide Paris-Roubaix tubulars from FMB.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Needless to say, it was tough getting anywhere near the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team bus at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
SRAM road PR man Michael Zellmann tells us Omega Pharma-QuickStep team mechanics wrap the SRAM levers in electrical tape to keep them free of dirt and debris when mounted atop the team car.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Rabobank riders used a mix of Giant TCR Advanced SL and Defy Advanced SL bikes at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A mix of Trek Madones and Domanes for Radioshack-Nissan at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Radioshack-Nissan was one of few teams at Scheldeprijs using non-metallic bottle cages.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This was as close as we could get to the primary race bikes of Omega Pharma-QuickStep today. Perhaps it's time to add a long lens to the kit…(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Team NetApp's Simplon Pavo machine.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Big chain stays and skinny seat stays like these are typically found on carbon frames but Canyon adapts the concept for Katusha's Ultimate AL bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Alloy Elite Ciussi cages for the Katusha team at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Katusha's fleet of Canyon bikes prior to the start of Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Most of the Katusha team used Mavic's Cosmic Carbone Ultimate at Scheldeprijs save for this one set of 90mm-deep carbon tubulars.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Lotto-Belisol riders used a mix of Ridley Helium and Noah bikes at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Once again, Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) sports a custom paint scheme paying homage to his nickname.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
SRM's new Campagnolo-compatible power meter on Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB features integrated linear-pull brakes that are molded right into the structure - these aren't add-on bits.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB is set up for pure speed here.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Not exactly the picture of warm fuzziness here, but then again we're pretty sure that's exactly what Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) is going for.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Heat shrink tubing seals up the noodle on Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB integrated front and rear brakes. Check out the little graphic on the back of the integrated seatmast, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Deep-section Campagnolo Bora Ultra 80 carbon tubulars for Lotto-Belisol sprinter Andre Greipel.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Very cleanly executed cable and wire routing on Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FB.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Campagnolo Record EPS for the riders of Lotto-Belisol.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Double-wrapped Lizard Skins DSP bar tape for the riders of Lotto-Belisol.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tire clearance is generous on Radioshack-Nissan's new Trek Domane frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
White Nokon housing on Gregory Rast's (Radioshack-Nissan) new Trek Domane.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
_V6O7031 - Yellow jersey for Hossein Alizadeh of Tabriz(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Argon 18 Gallium frames of Team Spidertech p/b C10 are notable for their unique head tubes. Extensions can be added or subtracted from the top instead of using comparatively flimsy headset spacers.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Even pros don't get brand-new stuff all the time as evidenced by this scuffed-up Team Spidertech Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleur.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The stout front end of UnitedHealthcare's NeilPryde Diablo frames.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
UnitedHealthcare is now on NeilPryde for the 2012 season.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Enve carbon rims are built around Chris King hubs for the UnitedHealthcare team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Arundel Dave-O carbon fiber cages and K-Edge aluminum chain keepers for the UnitedHealthcare team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This is the second Adamo saddle we've spotted in the pro ranks in Belgium this week, this time on the NeilPryde machine of UnitedHealthcare rider Marc De Maar.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new WCS C260 stem on the front end of this UnitedHealthcare NeilPryde Diablo.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Vacansoleil-DCM is on FFWD wheels this season.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Most of the Vacansoleil-DCM team were on Bianchi Oltres at Scheldeprijs but we spotted at least one Infinito.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The neatly integrated seatpost binder on Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A number of Vacansoleil-DCM team bikes were equipped with FSA Gossamer brakes instead of higher-end models. We're not sure why yet, particularly given they offer no advantage in terms of pad clearance or adjustments range.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Check out the tail fins on the back of Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre fork crowns.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The majority of Vacansoleil-DCM used Bianchi Oltre frames at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ultra-skinny seat stays on the back end of Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre frames.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Somehow we get the feeling Team Sky riders don't have the time to read all of this while racing - probably better not to try, anyway.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Veloflex Arenburg tubulars for Team Sky at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Several Radioshack-Nissan riders - including Hayden Roulston and Gregory Rast - used Trek's new Domane frame at Scheldeprijs. We expect the full crew will be using it at Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The stout integrated chain keeper on Radioshack-Nissan's new Trek Domane frames.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Time to crack out the special Speedplay Zero pedals for Paris-Roubaix! Seen on a Radioshack-Nissan team bike here.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Radioshack-Nissan rider Gregory Rast prefers the mechanical version of Shimano's Dura-Ace group.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
More satellite shifters, this time on a Radioshack-Nissan team bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
50mm-deep Bontrager Aeolus 5 carbon tubular wheels and FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular tires on this Radioshack-Nissan team bike at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The interesting seat stay wishbone treatment on the back end of Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
RusVelo is the development squad for Katusha. They used BMC TeamMachine SLR01s at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Saur-Sojasun used a mix of NXR and RXR Ulteam frames from supplier Time.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Top mount brake levers on this Saur-Sojasun Time NXR.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Sky soigneurs use a blue-topped bottle to denote plain water and an orange one for energy drink. Most of the Sky riders started with one of each at Scheldeprijs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Pinarello Dogma K of Team Sky, prepped for Scheldeprijs and soon headed to the start of Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Double Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 hoods for Sky rider Juan Antonio Flecha.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Sky's Jeremy Hunt sported one of the more unusual Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifter setups we've seen - sprint buttons mounted on the tops, not the drops.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Most of Team Sky's Shimano Dura-Ace satellite shifters were flipped around so that there were operated by the rider's index finger, not the thumb.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Color-matched Lizard Skins DSP tape on the bars of Vacansoleil-DCM. Unlike most foam or cork-based tapes, this polyurethane stuff is notably grippier.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
