|
None more
black |
|
Invisible on radar?
By John Stevenson
|
Adjustable dropouts
Photo: © CN/Tom Balks
For 2002 the CSC-Tiscali team is once again aboard Look
bikes, in the form of the all-black KG381i team issue carbon fibre model,
each one of which is custom-built for the individual rider. This particular
rig belongs to New Zealander Julian Dean, who joins the team this year
from US Postal along with Tyler Hamilton.
One novel feature of the KG381 is the removable and adjustable rear
dropout. The removable aspect means a gear hanger can be easily replaced
if it's bent in a crash, while the fore-aft adjustability allows a mechanic
to slide the rear wheel forward to tuck the tyre as close as possible
to the seat tube for improved aerodynamics.
|
Still space-age
Photo: © CN/Tom Balks
As you'd expect, the bikes are hung with other Look components: a matching
Look HSC 4 fork, Look Ergopost carbon seat post and Look pedals. The
Ergopost continues the theme of adjustability with a whopping 60mm of
fore-aft displacement and that's before you start moving
the saddle in the clamp. Pedals are either the super-light CX7, claimed
to be 180g/pr, or the pro workhorse PP396s.
CSC hits up Shimano for most of the rest of the components.
Brakes, transmission and wheels are all Dura-Ace, which still looks
startlingly modern to these eyes despite having been around for almost
a decade now. More important than its looks though, is that it flat-out
works.
|
Deda Newton stem
Photo: © CN/Tom Balks
Bar and stem are Deda Newton, with stem length and bar
shape tailored to the individual rider. As you can see from the lack
of spacers under the stem, Dean likes a deeply-tucked position, and
uses a deep-drop bar too. At the foot of the page
you'll find more details of Jalabert's, Hamilton's and Dean's individual
set-ups.
|
Selle Italia
saddle
Photo: © CN/Tom Balks
CSC may technically be a Danish team, but with Jalabert
at the helm is has a French heart, and just as Telekom
rolls on German tyres, so CSC gets its rubber from a French supplier,
Hutchinson. None of this newfangled clincher stuff for Bjarne Riis'
boys, either CSC uses tubulars.
Finally, team members get their choice from Selle Italia's extensive
range of seats. Dean uses a Turbomatic as does leader Jalabert, while
Dean's fellow CSC newbie Hamilton goes for the lightweight Flite TT.
|