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Dauphiné Libéré
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Race tech: Gent-Wevelgem, April 9, 2009

Columbia-Highroad's Scott Addicts were nearly stock
Photo ©: James Huang
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Many riders opted for the standard seatpost
Photo ©: James Huang
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Cavendish, however, went full-on with his usual integrated version,
Photo ©: James Huang
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Columbia-Highroad bikes were fitted with a hybrid mix
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rear derailleurs were mostly of the 7800 variety
Photo ©: James Huang
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Dura-Ace 7900 brakes were fitted with Shimano's newest carbon-specific pads.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Gent-Wevelgem's smoother roads
Photo ©: James Huang
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As always, Columbia-Highroad makes use of several wheel makes
Photo ©: James Huang
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Astana's Michael Schär is so tall
Photo ©: James Huang
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The top tube is said to be longer what is usually found
Photo ©: James Huang
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…yet the head tube length is more akin to a 56cm size.
Photo ©: James Huang
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The custom-turned head tube allows Schär
Photo ©: James Huang
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Much of the tubing for Schär's bike is borrowed
Photo ©: James Huang
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According to team liaison Ben Coates,
Photo ©: James Huang
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Even with the super long top tube,
Photo ©: James Huang
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Schär has to use SRAM Rival aluminum crankarms
Photo ©: James Huang
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SRAM 'Red' front derailleurs with retrofitted stiffer steel cages
Photo ©: James Huang
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Schär uses a Bontrager handlebar with a 'Variable Radius' bend.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Trek's stout composite Bat Cages
Photo ©: James Huang
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A little grease is applied to the chain for wet weather.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Schär rode Gent-Wevelgem with shallow box-section tubulars.
Photo ©: James Huang
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A carbon-wrapped aluminum Bontrager ACC seatpost
Photo ©: James Huang
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Milram's Niki Terpstra set out from Deinze
Photo ©: James Huang
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The 'cross frame provides plenty gobs of clearance.
Photo ©: James Huang
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The front end is fitted with a carbon 'cross fork
Photo ©: James Huang
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Cables are routed on the top tube
Photo ©: James Huang
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Top mounted brake levers allow for extra control
Photo ©: James Huang
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Terpstra's Focus Mares Team 'cross frame
Photo ©: James Huang
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Milram sprinter Gerald Ciolek
Photo ©: James Huang
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Ciolek rides in a low and long position
Photo ©: James Huang
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Ciolek also runs his saddle with a lot of setback
Photo ©: James Huang
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A SRAM/SRM power meter keeps track of Ciolek's watts.
Photo ©: James Huang
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A chain watcher provides some handy insurance.
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Ciolek apparently prefers the stiffer steel 'Red' cage as well.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Ciolek headed out with Mavic Ksyrium SL tubular wheels
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…while some of his teammates opted for Lightweights.
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Robbie McEwen (Katusha) chose his aero Ridley Noah
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The fork uses split blades
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The seat stays are given a similar treatment
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McEwen prefers a traditional bend bar.
Photo ©: James Huang
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The sturdy integrated seatpost head
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Katusha teammates apparently have their choice
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…to this Team SL.
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Rabobank rider Nick Nuyens
Photo ©: James Huang
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Giant have opted for press-fit bottom bracket cups
Photo ©: James Huang
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But what's this block of wood for, Nick?
Photo ©: James Huang
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Rabobank teammate Juan Antonio Flecha
Photo ©: James Huang
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Shimano's new 35mm-deep Dura-Ace carbon tubulars
Photo ©: James Huang
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BBOX-Bouygues Telecom riders used Time's new RXR Ulteam frames.
Photo ©: James Huang
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A closer look at the seat cluster provides some clues
Photo ©: James Huang
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The down tube takes on a slight arc on its way
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Time's headset system uses a threaded collar
Photo ©: James Huang
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Yup, you're seeing correctly: clinchers.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Caisse d'Epargne's Pinarello Prince bikes
Photo ©: James Huang
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The curved Onda FPX fork blades
Photo ©: James Huang
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Similar shapes are found out back.
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Caisse d'Epargne is one of few teams
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Gent-Wevelgem's minimal cobbles
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This crank is fitted with standard gearing for now
Photo ©: James Huang
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Silence-Lotto have moved to Canyon frames for 2009.
Photo ©: James Huang
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Leif Hoste is probably thankful for these minimal seat stays
Photo ©: James Huang
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Ritchey have already integrated their handy one-bolt head
Photo ©: James Huang
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Hoste runs a surprisingly generous stack of headset spacers
Photo ©: James Huang
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Hoste's bike is fitted with Campagnolo Record 11 gear.
Photo ©: James Huang
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No deep-section wheels here;
Photo ©: James Huang
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