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TT Bikes at the Tour of Belgium
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By Anthony Tan
Fancy some Belgian bike porn to get you going on a Sunday afternoon? Well, make y'self a cuppa and start scrolling the mouse wheel as you feast your eyes on these TT bikes from the Tour of Belgium.
Cofidis Decathlon TTIn 2003, Cofidis switched bike suppliers from the elitist MBK brand to sports giant Decathlon. Cofidis is the second Division I team to use Decathlon's mass-produced bicycle frames this year, the other being the Chambéry-Le-Haut-based squad AG2r Prévoyance. Time's Equipe Magnesium Pro pedals retain the French flavour; interesting is that many riders continue to use the previous arrow-shaped design over the more contemporary "Impact" pedal shape released last year. |
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Eddy Merckx Team SC ChronoAn ever increasing trend within today's pro time trial machines is the cutaway seat tube, enabling the rider to sit as close as legally possible to the centre of the bottom bracket for optimal power transfer in the tuck position. While Litespeed's association with Lotto-Domo lasted only one season, it appears the American company's cutting-edge designs have influenced Merckx's latest TT frames, with the main triangle adopting airfoil-shaped tubes reminiscent of the Litespeed Blade. |
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Pinarello Montello ChronoFausto Pinarello's dream machines have long been the envy of riders and enthusiasts the world over. Featuring a chunky one-piece monocoque construction, these carbon fibre beauties are particularly distinctive but also incredibly light (1,390 grams frame and fork) and stiff. An almost identical design is used on the track by members of the Italian track cycling team and Australian track and road sprinter Rochelle Gilmore, who rides for the Pinarello-sponsored Ausra Gruodis-Safi (formerly Acca-Due O) team in 2003. |
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Trek Team Time TrialPostal's latest TT bikes make use of Trek's slightly lighter, slightly stronger, OCLV HC carbon fibre, claimed to have a higher UTS (ultimate tensile strength) and modulus stiffness than Sandvik titanium or 7000 series aluminium, with the current frame design and development receiving plenty of input from one Mr Lance Armstrong. Judging from past performances, the lightweight, aero design has certainly proven to be a winner - although in recent years, the TdF and Lance Armstrong is not unlike the US Open and John McEnroe in his heyday; both athletes were so supreme in their chosen event, they probably would have won from equipment bought at Toys 'R' Us! |
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Tour of Belgium photos
Images by Luc Claessen/www.actiefotos.be
- Cofidis is the second Division I team to use Decathlon's mass-produced bicycle frames this year, the other being the Chambéry-Le-Haut-based AG2r Prévoyance.
- An single outer chainring provides is all that's needed for big gear crunchers in a relatively flat time trial.
- While Litespeed's association with Lotto-Domo lasted only one season, it appears the American company's cutting-edge designs have influenced Merckx's latest TT frames, with the main triangle adopting airfoil-shaped tubes reminiscent of the Litespeed Blade.
- Painted or polished - take your pick.
- The Pinarello Montello Chrono - more seatpost, anyone?
- Pinarello's curvaceous Onda forks are also standard issue on the Prince SL and Dogma road frames.
- Postal's latest TT bikes make use of Trek's slightly lighter, slightly stronger, OCLV HC carbon fibre, claimed to have a higher UTS (ultimate tensile strength) and modulus stiffness than Sandvik titanium or 7000 series aluminium.
- Time for a time trial, time for a Kit-Kat? Maybe not.
- Geez, I sure could use one of those for my showroom...
- Style gurus will cringe at this lime green and mustard saddle. Actually, anyone would cringe at this lime green and mustard saddle.
- Hey, come back here… oh, that's OK, it's only the DS!
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