Bikes of the Pros: 2013 Edition

If there’s one thing that never changes, it’s that things are always changing. Doping scandals or not, pro cycling is not immune to team name changes, sponsor changes, new bikes, new riders and more. On that note, it’s time for an all new 2013 Bikes of the Pros!

2013 sees Focus and Felt rejoining the Pro Tour after an absence of a couple of years and Merida making their debut at the top echelon of the sport. As far as drivetrains, Campagnolo picks up one team while Shimano provides the drivetrain for eight teams and SRAM powers six.

Whether they’re using electronic or manual shifting, Both Campagnolo and Shimano are now speccing teams with 11 speed gruppos this year while SRAM continues to stick with 10 speed manual groups. The Chicago based company has been mum on whether they’ll play catch-up, but I have to think that we’ll see something new by the time the Tour de France comes along.

For bikes, Specialized continues to make the largest investment in pro cycling, sponsoring the Astana, Omega Pharma Quick Step and Saxo-Tinkoff squads. Pinarello is right on their heels, continuing their support of the the Movistar and Sky teams. The remaining thirteen teams are split amongst the industry’s best suppliers. Absent from the ProTour this year is Wilier, who left Lampre for the Team Colombia professional continental squad.

Pro Teams:

AG2R – La Mondiale | Astana | Blanco | BMC Racing Team | Cannondale | Euskaltel – Euskadi| FDJ | Garmin – Sharp | Lampre-Merida | Lotto-Belisol | Movistar | Omega Pharma – Quick Step | ORICA GreenEDGE | Radioshack Leopard Trek | Sky Procycling | Team Argos-Shimano | Team Saxo-Tinkoff | Vacansoleil-DCM

Ag2R – La Mondiale

AG2R – La Mondiale team makes a move from Kuota to Focus for 2013. They’re sure to be riding on the Izalco Team SL. Drivetrains will be sourced from Campagnolo with hoops from Fulcrum.

Other technical partners include Schwalbe, Look, Elite and fi’zi:k.

Odlo will be supplying the team’s clothing and they will be wearing helmets from Ekoi.

Astana

Astana enters 2013 slated to continue with Specialized frames, forks, cranks, and helmets in 2012, which includes the Tour-winning Tarmac SL4.

Whether it’s winning the Tour de France or a local crit, the next generation of Tarmac—the SL4—was born to race, with head-snapping acceleration and razor-sharp handling. The S-Works model features Specialized’s lightest and stiffest frame ever, and the team will continue to use SRAM for their drivetrain this year.

Blanco Pro Cycling Team

Blanco Pro Cycling Team is the non-branded version of the Rabobank team.

Full details for the team, which will include its core of talent from Rabobank including Robert Gesink, Lars Boom and Theo Bos, is still coming in, but the team will once again focus on cycling’s biggest events, including grand tours, classics and other major stage races and single-day races.

The start of the 2013 season saw the premiere of two new bikes for the Blanco team. In addition to Giant’s TCR Advanced SL, Defy Advanced SL and Trinity Advanced SL bikes, the team will now have the all new Propel Advanced SL at their disposal.

Years of research, development and testing—in the wind tunnel and on the roads by Team Blanco pros including sprinter Theo Bos—led to the all-new Propel Advanced SL, the world’s fastest aero road bike. Its wind-slicing new innovations include AeroSystem Shaping technology, the SpeedControl SLR brake system and Contact Aero handlebar. The Advanced SL-grade composite frame—with an OverDrive 2 steerer tube for stiff, precise steering and handling, and integrated seatpost for added aerodynamics and compliance—forms the backbone of a bike that has best-in-class light weight and unrivaled aero innovation.

The Propel Advanced SL incorporates Ridesense, Giant’s all-new chainstay-integrated, wireless data transmitter. The removable transmitter sends wheel-speed and cadence information directly to any ANT+ compatible computer.

Also new to the bike is Giant’s Overdrive 2 headtube. As the first manufacturer to bring the tapered headtube to market – with the 2006 Glory mountain bike – Giant knows a thing or two about inventing solutions for improved steering precision. The original OverDrive technology resulted in groundbreaking stiffness-to-weight ratios, and now Giant is doing it again with an all-new standard: OverDrive 2.

The original OverDrive technology has stood the test of time. Up to 15 percent stiffer than straight-steerer frame-and-fork combos, its benefits are well documented. But in an effort to evolve, and to continue pushing beyond established performance boundaries, Giant engineers went back to the drawing board. It was time for an entirely new technology. It was time for OverDrive 2. This is the new standard—the results speak for themselves.

With its winning combination of stiffness, light weight, compliance and sharp handling, the Giant TCR Advanced SL being ridden by Blanco is often imitated, never duplicated. The all-new TCR Advanced SL shatters the mold of every composite bike that came before it. Using Advanced SL-grade composite and breakthrough manufacturing processes that result in the lightest, stiffest road frame ever produced by Giant. Steering precision is boosted by the new oversize OverDrive 2 headtube/fork combination. The MegaDrive downtube and PowerCore bottom bracket improve power transfer and efficiency. Factor in the integrated seatpost and RideSense ANT+ sensor for wireless data transmission, and it’s clear to see: TCR Advanced SL goes beyond integration.

The Giant Defy Advanced SL was released just before the start of the 2012 classics season and is the result of eighteen months of development with the Dutch cycling squad. “The tests have delivered good results and the Rabobank riders are really enthusiastic about the Giant Defy”, says Tom Davies, Giant Sports Marketing Manager in 2012. “The whole philosophy behind the development of this bike is that we can absorb the vibrations on the cobbles as much as possible, so that the riders waste as little energy as possible on them.”

Years of engineering, wind-tunnel analysis and pro athlete feedback created the Giant Trinity Advanced SL – an aerodynamic machine that delivered Ironman pro Timo Bracht to his best bike times ever. The frame features Advanced SL-grade composite material, radically shaped to cheat the wind. The AeroDrive stem/handlebar unit offers optimal aerodynamic positioning without sacrificing handling, and the integrated SpeedContol brakes are nearly invisible to the wind.

“Team Blanco represents a fresh start for this young and talented squad, and we’re excited to play a vital role in developing the next generation of stars,” said Tom Davies, Giant Sports Marketing Manager. “Through cutting-edge bicycles and apparel, we’ll be providing riders the advantage they need to win at the highest level.”

Blanco continues their partnerships with Shimano for drivetrain components. Touchpoints will continue to come from fi’zi:k and PRO. Other technical sponsors include Oakley, Bell, Vittoria and Tacx.

BMC

In 2013, Cadel Evans, Phillipe Gilbert and the rest of the BMC Racing Team will have four road bikes at their disposal.

The latest edition to the BMC line is the 2013 timemachine TMR01. The timemachine TMR01 merges the design of BMC’s timemachine TM01 with their proven road bikes for a highly aerodynamic and light all purpose road bike. The TMR01 will use a custom brake integrated into the fork, while the rear brake will be tucked behind the bottom bracket, much like Trek did with the Madone.

Drivetrains will still be sourced from Shimano and it looks likely that the team will be using the electronic Dura Ace Di2 group. The Shimano integration continues with wheels, wheelsets and pedals. The team makes a switch to 3T for the cockpit this year. Elite will provide bottles and cages and fi’zi:k will be providing saddles. Pearl Izumi and 2XU will provide technical apparel, Giro will keep their heads safe and Oakley will shield their eyes for blazing hot days in the France in July.

In addition to the timemachine TMR01, I expect that we’ll also see the team on the teammachine SLR01, the granfondo GF01 and the timemachine TM01 for dedicated time trial usage.

The new teammachine SLR01 is a racing bike made without compromise, which achieves the seemingly impossible: maximum stiffness with the greatest possible comfort. The Tuned Compliance Concept applied to the chainstays, seatstays and forkblades provides vertical flexibility and thus a tangibly more comfortable ride. Meanwhile, a stable bottombracket hub and steering head area guarantee propulsion without compromise and incredibly precise handling. Low-vibration brake fundamentals enable quick and controlled braking and ensure safety in all riding conditions.

BMC’s timemachine TM01 continues into 2013. The bike utilizes some new aerodynamic concepts while still allowing compliance with newly implemented UCI regs.

BMC does not have a drivetrain sponsor, but had been using Shimano components on their team bikes.

Cannondale Pro Cycling

Yes, it’s just Cannondale Pro Cycling for 2013. Liquigas is out of the picture and the American bicycle manufacturer is investing heavily into cycling.

The bike of choice for 2012 Tour de France standout Peter Sagan and the rest of the Cannondale boys will be the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Team. Constructed from Ballistec Carbon, its high strength construction method allows it to achieve light weight, without sacrificing stiffness or strength. Subtle SPEED SAVE flex zones built into the chainstays and seatstays allow the rear wheel to track the ground, improving speed, handling and comfort. The stays work in conjunction with the SPEED SAVE Fork: This 315 gram fork features full BallisTec carbon construction, an 1-1/8” to 1-1/4” tapered steerer for the best balance of weight and stiffness, and offset dropouts, which allow more fork angle and compliance without affecting handling.

While not a full road aero type bike like the Cervelo S5, the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod does feature a reduced frontal area. Compared to the oversized headtubes of the competition, the EVO’s downtube is close to 20% smaller, the heatube 11% smaller, and the fork blades 15% thinner. This means less frontal area and less drag. In fact, tests show that EVO has a mere 14g more drag than the best “aero” frames without their added weight and harsh ride.

While the bike will sport Cannondale’s latest Hollowgram SiSL2 crank, the rest of the drivetrain will come from SRAM. The seatpost and stem will be FSA units matched to the team’s color scheme.

Wheelsets and aero bars will come from Vision. Claudio Marra, Manager of Vision Europe said: “We’ve had a successful collaboration with Cannondale for a long time, and the decision to sponsor Cannondale Pro Cycling Team for 2013 was really important to us. I’m confident that our products will give the riders an advantage. We produce all the components and wheels in-house and this gives us great flexibility with product development.  We also have a strong and cooperative relationship with the Team Manager and the top riders within the team like Ivan Basso, Elia Viviani and Peter Sagan. The request for Vision wheels from the team and the riders was an honor for me and for the company.  I’m sure we will work very well together next year”.

Other technical sponsors include fi’zi:k, Sugoi, SIDI, Kenda, Elite, Sci-Con, Speedplay and SRM.

Still very much in devo form and only seen in spy pictures is a new Cannondale Synapse frame that has been spotted under select Team Cannondale riders. The suspicion is that Cannondale is working on updating the Synapse platform to be something akin to Specialized’s Roubaix series and that the bike will be used in the spring classics. The only word that I could get out of Cannondale is as follows:

“It’s no secret we’re always trying to make better products – but at this point all we can say is that we are developing a cool new platform with the help of our team, Cannondale Pro Cycling. The input of our athletes plays a huge role in our product development process.  While it’s not ideal from a pure marketing standpoint to put a bike out in the public eye before we are ready to comment on it, there is just no substitute for having the best athletes in the world put the product through its paces in real racing situations. For now, select members of the team will continue to ride-test the bike and provide the feedback that is integral to the process of building the best bikes possible. We’re not prepared to comment further on the details right now but the initial results are looking great!”

Euskaltel-Euskadi

The Euskaltel-Euskadi squad has been on Orbea bikes since their inception. That relationship will continue on into 2013 and will see the team riding the latest incarnation of the Orca line: the Orca GRC. The GRC continues Orbea’s fine technical tradition and mates that technology with Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting system. Other sponsors include Vittoria, Polar, Selle Italia and Ozone Elite.

FDJ

BigMat is out, so its just FDJ for 2013. Team details are still forthcoming, but all indications point to the team entering their 11th year of collaboration with Lapierre.

Lapierre has introduced an all new Xelius 800 model. The Xelius 800 uses the new EFI frame. Designed for total efficiency, Lapierre tested the frame continuously in Magny Cours (Nevers), with its wind tunnels normally reserved for Formula 1. These tests showed a 2% aerodynamic gain in comparison to our 2012 Xelius. The frame’s intelligent structure better transmits the rider’s energy through the frame stiffness, translating to greater power. This represents a 20% gain in lateral stiffness at the headtube, 10% more torsional rigidity at the bottom bracket and 7% lateral flexion on the rear triangle.

Thanks to the stiffness and aerodynamics, EFI is said to let you save 4% energy based on the same performance. Strategic stiffness and light-weight combine with a comfortable ride: maximum precision and efficiency is guaranteed. The EFI frame + fork kit is 80g lighter and considerably stiffer than the previous FDJ Team model.

Garmin-Sharp

Garmin-Barracuda becomes Garmin-Sharp for 2013. As with BMC, the riders will have the full Cervelo line at their disposal. Two that you’re sure to see are the S5 and the R5.

The S5 is the most advanced aerodynamic road bicycle ever developed by Cervélo. Inspired by the demands of the world’s top pro riders, the S5 deploys everything Cervélo has learned in 16 years of aerodynamic design, and combines it with advanced material engineering honed in our Project California facility. Using the latest TrueAeroTM shapes combined with our most advanced lay-up knowledge, the S5 doubles the aerodynamic advantage the S3 had over traditional road bicycles. By adding BBrightTM and SmartwallTM engineering, we maximize energy response, and raise the torsional rigidity a whopping 12% over its highly acclaimed predecessor. The result is a quantifiably faster bicycle, which is also agile and responsive, yet smooth and comfortable on the toughest road surfaces. The S5 Team  maintains the same stiffness and strength numbers, but is made 100 grams lighter through further material refinements. This is the bike of choice for Team Garmin-Sharp.

Second only to the R5ca as the worlds lightest and stiffest frame, the construction of the Cervelo R5 Team seems to defy the possible—especially considering the balance of power transmission and the ability to absorb harsh bumps and vibration. Tested and chosen by the top riders from Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda to win the “hilly” stages of Grand Tours like the 2012 Giro d’Italia, these riders particularly appreciate its precise cornering, ultimate balance and instantaneous response. Light weight and stiff, featuring BBright™, Smartwall™ technology, and optimized second-generation Squoval™ tube shapes, the R5 is a true climbing machine. With a lively feel that transforms sky-high climbs into dream experiences, this bike will meet any challenge you put in its path.

Lampre-Merida

For 2012, Lampre breaks away from long time sponsor Wilier for a new partnership with Merida.  Merida is one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers, but largely unknown on these shores due to a 49% ownership stake in Specialized.

Lampre will be riding the new Scultura SL Team, a bike built just for Lampre. Some of the features include Double Chamber tube technology, wherein tubes have a dividing rib for additional strength, specially shaped chainstays for comfort, nano particle infused carbon for improved hit resistance and internal cable routing. The frame looks to be a mix of internally lugged and tube-to-tube construction, based on analysis of stresses at the given joint. The bike will be available in sizes from 49 to 59 centimeters.

As shown on the Merida site, the bike is equipped with SRAM Red components, DT Swiss wheels, Vittoria tires and an FSA Bar. Stem and seatpost are from PRC, which looks to be a Merida house brand. More details should be available as team announcements are made.

Lotto-Belisol

When Omega Pharma and the Belgian Lottery went their separate ways at the end of 2011, two new teams were formed.  The Belgian Lottery partnered with Belisol to form the Lotto-Belisol squad. Keeping with their Belgian focus, the team partnered with Ridley. For most races, the team will be riding the Ridley Noah this year, but for the Classics, they have a new tool at their disposal: The Ridley Fenix Classic.

This decision to adopt the Fenix Classic was taken after tests of the frame by André Greipel during a number of 2012 races on Flemish roads.

The Fenix was developed by Ridley with the pavé classics in mind. The oversized sharp edge tubing guarantees a high level of stiffness and is extremely strong and durable. The flat sections in the seat stays absorb road vibrations to give the rider a high amount of comfort and increased stability on rough roads.

Ridley has a simple development philosophy: the best bike in the world to build! The blueprint of each design is always from the same angle. Cycling enthusiasts, professionals, cycling clubs, all with the same desire: Cycling on the best and fastest bike in the world.

All of Ridley’s frames are designed according to the philosophy “Form Follows Function”. Each tube shape, frame construction and geometry has a specific purpose.

From the start, reliability, rigidity and strength to the essence of the designs. For different tube shapes, they were inspired by nature. A drop in nature is the most aerodynamic shape, therefore the tubes of their most aerodynamic bikes are also drop shaped.

In recent years Ridley has mainly focused on aerodynamics. Their bikes were already stiff as possible, and lighter than the UCI limit. Therefore, they decided that they could make the most progress in the field of aerodynamics. This resulted in 3 unique patents (F-Brake, F-and F-Surface Splitfork), which together form the FAST concept. The Ridley Noah FAST underwent several wind tunnel tests showing that this is the fastest bike in the world, and that is FAST still!

As a Belgian manufacturer, Ridley is obviously very proud to be part of the prestigious project that the Lotto-Belisol team started. Ridley’s slogan “We are Belgium” dovetails perfectly with this course! Lotto has been a fixture in professional cycling for decades, and with Ridley, they strive together towards a long-term cooperation in the future where we want to go beyond just the top of the podium.

The Ridley Noah incorporates two of Ridley’s FAST-Concept technologies. These combined technologies offer up to 2km/h advantage in the sprint and up to 15 watts less power input needed to average a 50km/h breakaway.

• F-Splitfork reduces drag by 7.5% by drawing turbulent air away from spokes.
• F-Surface paint technology reduces drag by 4.1% by increasing laminar flow.
• Full carbon tapered 1-1/8 1-1/2 headtube with angular contact bearings.
• Internally routed cabling to minimize airflow disturbance.
• Oversized pressfit BB30 bottom bracket and aero downtube.

The Ridley Noah Fast is now available to the public in full Lotto-Belisol form, featuring a Campagnolo Record group, Campagnolo Bullet wheels, Selle San Marco saddle and a Deda bar & stem. Tires will come from Continental, pedals from Look and powermeters from SRM. Vermarc will provide race clothing and Lazer Sport will be outfitting the teams with their helmets.

Movistar

Pinarello sponsors two team in the Pro Tour peloton, the first of which is the Movistar squad.

It was to be no easy task to improve upon the frame that has taken the champions of both Sky and Movistar to numerous victories, seen Wiggins pedal into yellow and move the world champion sprinter Mark Cavendish to claim, “this frame is perfect” after his first ride aboard the Dogma 2.

To better a frame that had already been awarded such praise, Pinarello’s engineers asked their partners Toray for collaboration in improving an industry leading 60HM1K carbon fiber.

The fruit of the combined efforts is the completely new and exclusive 65Ton HM 1K carbon fiber that is stronger, more rigid and more resistant than any previous variety. This new frame will be more rigid, more reactive and even better prepared for the rigors of professional cycling.

Additionally, with the increasing importance of electronic groupsets, the Pinarello Lab has worked diligently to produce a frame that is built for both mechanical and electronic transmissions.

The new Dogma 65.1 Think 2 is designed for perfect integration for electronic groups with internal cable routing designed specifically for their particular cable widths both for Campagnolo and Shimano systems.

Movistar continues their relationship with Campagnolo for drivetrain components. Vision will be providing wheelsets. FSA will be providing some components while Pinarello’s house brand Most will likely be doing stems and seatposts once again. Vittoria will be sourcing tires and Selle Italia will be the saddle supplier.

Catlike will be providing helmets while Nalini will be doing on-the-bike clothing.

Omega Pharma-Quick Step

The partnership of Omega Pharma-Quick Step with Specialized carries on from last year. The big news for the team this year is the signing of sprinter Mark Cavendish to the team. After a year riding a Pinarello with Team Sky, he’ll be back on a Specialized Venge – a bike that was under him for many of his sprint victories with the HTC-Highroad squad.

This isn’t the first time Specialized Founder and President Mike Sinyard and Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Team Manager Patrick Lefevere have partnered; the two joined forces for the 2007-09 seasons, with great results.During the three years that Specialized worked with the team the first time around, the team won more major races than any other team in professional cycling, including the 2007 World Road Race Championships, back-to-back Roubaix/Flanders victories and a Green Jersey at the Tour de France.

The Omega Pharma – Quick-Step riders will have a deep range of advanced bicycles and gear to choose from Specialized’s elite S-Works division. Nothing is lighter and stiffer than the Tarmac SL4, which will be the team’s workhorse bike. The Specialized S-Works Venge, fresh off its Milan-San Remo and Green Jersey victories in 2011, will be the perfect choice for riders looking to minimize drag. Because smoother is faster, Boonen and company will opt for the S-Works Roubaix SL4 on the cobblestones.

The team will also partner with SRAM RED components, Zipp Wheels and Quarq power meters for the 2013 season. SRAM RED componentry has ridden to wins at every major race, including the past two versions of Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, annual targets for the team.

Orica-Greenedge

Last year’s GreenEDGE Cycling will now be called Orica-Greenedge, but they carry on into 2013 with Scott providing their Foil and Plasma 3 bikes to the squad. Last year’s white, green and gold color scheme is replaced by a mostly black frame with the Aussie colors as an accent.

But, according to SCOTT Sports Vice President Pascal Ducrot, it’s the frame design and construction itself rather than the colours that set the bike apart.

“On the bike the elements are always against you with the wind trying to slow you or a climb trying to break you. For many years time trial bikes such as the Plasma 3, have reaped the benefits of aerodynamics to beat the wind and now our SCOTT Foil maximises the use of that technology on a road bike to get an advantage against the elements and the competition”, Ducrot says.

Other technical partners for the team include Shimano (drivetrain), Prologo (saddles), Continental (tires), Bolle (eyewear) and PRO (bars, stems and seatposts).

Radioshack Leopard Trek

With four new riders added and Luca Guercilena taking over as general manager, some changes took place, but for the most part, it’s business as usual for the hard working group at RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK.

“We’ve put in the time and effort during the off season to come together as a team,” said General Manager Guercilena. “This was important to us as we look to return our riders to their highest level of abilities in 2013.  We met with the riders and discussed their ambitions and goals, merged them with those of the overall team, and have established our race calendar for the year.”

A special team requires special gear and for RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK what better bike for the world’s best cycling team than one that boasts 12 Grand Tour victories in the past 13 years? Handcrafted at Trek’s worldwide headquarters in Waterloo, WI USA, RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK’s team-issue Madone 7.9 and Speed Concept 9 Series are meticulously designed to carry the world’s best riders to the world’s tallest podiums.

Trek Madone 7.9

The Trek Madone 7 Series is the road racing bike champions have dreamed of. The lightest. The fastest. Incredibly aero. Built by hand to win it all. Because fast is everything.

No compromise: Aerodynamics, weight, technology, performance, ride feel… you get the absolute best of everything in one flawless package.

New, super-aero frame: Trek’s revolutionary KVF tube shape and tip-to-tail integration, including integrated front and rear brakes, make Madone an aerodynamic game changer.

Hand built in USA: The world’s best carbon craftsmen meticulously hand build each frame from Trek’s proprietary OCLV Carbon in their US manufacturing facility.

Defense-grade carbon:  Trek’s US frame facility has exclusive industry access to the ultra-high-performance restricted material used to create 700 Series OCLV Carbon.

Trek Speed Concept 9 Series

Engineering, design, and aerodynamics in perfect harmony, Trek spent years developing the Speed Concept to allow riders to slice through wind. Speed Concept is the most technologically advanced and seamlessly integrated bike the world has ever known. Hours of wind tunnel testing proven by real world results, the Speed Concept is the new benchmark of fast.

The team will be using Shimano’s 11-speed Dura Ace Di2 electronic shifting group. Other technical partners include Speedplay, Schwalbe, Tacx, Sci-Con, SRM and Bontrager.

Apparel partners include Craft, Anonimo, Oakley and Salomon.

Team Saxo-Tinkoff

See Astana and Omega Pharma-Quick Step. Specialized, the hardest working brand in Pro Cycling is also continuing their relationship with Bjarne Riis’ Team Saxo-Tinkoff for 2013.

In addition to Specialized bikes, the team continues their relationship with SRAM for drivetrains, Zipp for wheels, Tacx for bottles and cages, SRM for powermeters and CeramicSpeed for bearing kits.

Clothing partners include Sportful (team kits) and Karpos for casual clothing. Spanish company Medilast Sports will be providing compression gear.

Team Sky

The Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think 2 is the successor to Pinarello’s acclaimed Dogma 60.1, which introduced asymmetrical frame design to the Pinarello range. The thinking is simple. A bike is not symmetrical; the transmission is on the right hand side of a frame. Therefore the frame should be stronger and stiffer to handle chain forces on the side where they are greatest.

The biggest change – literally – is the new fork and head tube, which now uses a 1.5 in lower bearing instead of the previous 1.25in. Increasing the size of the bearing means the steerer and head tube are bigger and therefore stiffer. That improves handling in corners and in straight line sprints, and makes the front end stiffer against braking forces.

Froome appreciates the resulting handling. “You can really push the bike to its limits whilst feeling safe at the same time,” he says.

A completely new fork slips into the new larger head tube. The Onda 2 fork is more aerodynamic than the original Onda, and has a shaped crown which fits into the down tube to improve airflow to the frame.

Sky will be using Shimano drivetrains.

Team Sky does not come to mind when you think of the Spring Classics, but that does not mean that they want their riders to have the best technology to tackle the cobbles of France and Holland. With that in mind, Team Sky worked with Pinarello to develop the Dogma K frame.

The Pinarello Dogma K offers geometry and frame designs that provide increased comfort without any compromise in performance. True to Pinarello form, the frame incorporates an asymmetric design to offset the asymmetric forces created during the pedal stroke.

The fundamental differences between the Dogma K and the Dogma frame can be seen in the angle of the seat tube, brought back slightly to increase shock absorption, and reduced head tube angle as well as slightly longer chain stays to increase comfort.

The seat stays have an innovative structure designed to absorb vibrations from the terrain.

Tire clearance has been increased in order to allow for larger diameter tires in the case of difficult courses.

Longer wheelbase makes for a frame that is less rigid vertically, giving it the ability to absorb shock and vibrations over rough terrain, while leaving the frame laterally stiff in order to keep it reactive and responsive.

One significant change for Team Sky in 2013 is a move to on the bike clothing from Rapha. They’re certainly one of my favorite companies and I’m stoked to see them make their way into the pro scene.

Team Argos Shimano

Last autumn, competitive cycling came under great pressure after the USADA report’s revelations. Team Argos-Shimano felt that this pressure created the right momentum for all stakeholders to realise the necessity for a change in culture. The team therefore asked Rudi Kemna, who in his career as cyclist had experienced this culture, to pinpoint  the nature of  such a culture in which cyclists are faced with the choice of whether or not to choose doping and to indicate ways in which teams can offer their athletes a safe alternative environment in which there is no place for medical manipulation.

Team Argos-Shimano appreciates the transparency Rudi Kemna displayed and hopes that this will have enough impact to contribute to the most significant task that is facing competitive cycling at present: that for this and the next generation of cyclists, match outcomes can only be determined on the basis of talent, efforts and tactics, supported by modern coaching, guidance and innovation.

The team’s primary 2013 road race bikes will be Felt’s F-series issue made with new UHC Nano TeXtreme® carbon fiber. TeXtreme® is a new spread-tow carbon fabric made by Swedish-based Oxeon and was introduced into the Felt line in select models for 2013. Several UHC Ultimate+Nano versions of the 2013 team F-series bikes were available at the launch with TeXtreme® versions expected towards the end of January.

With the F Series, Felt blends no-nonsense racing geometry and the world’s most advanced materials for a full line of crisp handling bikes made to rip through corners, fly up climbs and accelerate in an instant. The horizontal top tube, shorter head tube, sharp trail and tight wheelbase—all aimed at producing full-performance body positioning on the bike—make it the ideal choice to meet your competitive goals.

The top-of-the-line F1 incorporates Felt’s cutting-edge InsideOut molding process and UHC+Nano carbon fiber to minimize weight, while a BB30 bottom bracket, and a ControlTaper head tube deliver unmatched power transmission and stiffness. Literally every strand of carbon fiber is engineered to deliver optimal performance and a refined ride. That same attention to detail continues throughout the line with every F model benefitting from the development of the top professional race bikes.

Years of research, engineering and wind-tunnel development went into the DA1, and the results are obvious. The DA is the weapon of choice for time trialists like Kristin Armstrong and Patrick Gretsch as well as triathletes like Terenzo Bozzone and Andi Bocherer. With UHC Ultimate+Nano carbon fiber material—shaped through extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics engineering and real-world testing—it’s 14% more aerodynamic and 13% stiffer than the previous-generation DA. It’s also optimized for Shimano Di2 11 Speed electronic shifting, with internal cable routing and an integrated battery mount. When every second counts, go with the DA1.

Vacansoleil-DCM

 

Vacansoleil, a Dutch team that is British only in their license, continues on the Bianchi Oltre XR for 2013. Designed for extreme racing conditions, Oltre is one of the best racing machines Bianchi has ever made. X-Tex carbon technology and Bianchi optimized aerodynamic shape give it an incredibly efficient power transmission and stiffness to weight ratio.

Characterized by a very solid outlook and aerodynamic shape, Vacansoleil-DCM’s Oltre enhances Bianchi’s traditional “celeste” color by matching it with blue and white touches – recalling the official outfit of the World Tour team. The Bianchi’s Eagle on the lower part of the down-tube, shaped with elegant dark celeste lines, provides a unique mix of tradition and aggressiveness.

Bianchi’s technical suppliers for 2012 Vacansoleil-DCM team’s Oltre are: FSA, Vision, Fast Forward,Vredestein, Selle San Marco, Elite, KMC, Look, CycleOps Power Tap and Lizard skins.