*SEE PART 2 OF THE 2014 WORLD TOUR BIKES HERE
For the most part, there’s not much new with regards to new technologies or models that have come out in 2014. There have been a few swaps with bike sponsorships and teams folding, but by in large things have stayed the same.
Most of the mechanics are still adding in lead weights into various parts of the frame to get up to the 6.8kg weight limit (usually into the bottom bracket). Read more about the UCI’s 6.8kg weight limit here.
What’s in:
The new(ish) 35mm Campagnolo Bora wheels
Campagnolo EPS internal battery (except for one). All Di2 had internal battery except for Bianchi (Belkin).
Almost all the teams were riding 25mm tyres
Some Lotto-Belisol riders still loving their 38mm wide bars (this is extremely narrow for those of you unfamiliar)
What’s out:
Orbea (Euskatel)
Felt (Shimano-Agos, now Shimano-Giant)
Movistar changed from Pinarello to Canyon
Belkin swapped Giant with Team Shimano-Giant and picked up Vacansoleil-DCM’s Bianchi’s.
23mm tyres
Groupset counts (WorldTour teams only):
Shimano: 10 teams
Campagnolo: 5 teams
SRAM: 3 teams
*This is the same count as last year, even though some shuffling around has been done.
SEE THE 2013 WORLD TOUR BIKES HERE
Best in show
Many of the bikes were no different to look at than going into any high end bike shop, but there were a few that stood out to me
The two bikes that caught my eye, for no particular reason other than looks and “feel” (i.e. when I held them) were the Omega Pharma Quickstep Specialized Venge, Cannondale EVO. I haven’t had the pleasure of riding the Cannondale EVO yet but I can vouch for the ride of the Venge.
Enjoy.
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- There’s not much that caught our attention on FdJ’s Lapierre except for some crazy ridges and indentations on the top tube. Shimano Di2 groupset, Dura-Ace C50 wheels (tubs), PRO handlebar, stem and vibe seatpost.
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- Drapac Pro Cycling is Australia’s newest Pro-Conti team (not in the WorldTour) but has earned a ride at the TDU. They have switched over from Giant (in 2013) to now riding the Swift U-Vox with Zipp 404s, SRAM Red groupset, and Zipp bar/stem/seatpost.
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- Garmin is riding the Cervelo R5, the new Rotor compact BCD chainset, (rumour is that Rotor is working on a full groupset), Garmin Vector pedals, Shimano Di2 groupset (battery in seatpost) and Mavic wheels.
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- AG2R is on the Focus Izalco Max with Campagnolo Super Record EPS (internal battery) with Fulcrum Speed XLR wheels (50mm front, 80mm rear), Fizik bar, stem, saddle, seatpost.
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- Tinkoff-Saxo is still on the Specialized Tarmac with SRAM groupset, SRM, Zipp wheels, bar, stem, seatpost, Prologo saddle.
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- Team Sky is still riding the Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think 2 with Shimano Di2, C50 wheels, PRO bar/stem, and Stages powermeters. With the Stages powermeters they are using Garmin head units (not sponsored by Garmin) and Barfly mounts.
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- This Orica-GreenEDGE Scott Foil is custom painted with light-weight paint for Simon Gerrans (but still needs to use lead weights to get up to the UCI weight limit). Fitted with Shimano Di2, Shimano C50 wheels, PRO handlebar/stem, and Prologo saddle.
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- Movistar is now on the Canyon Ulitimate CF SLX (moving from Pinarello last season). Equipped with Campagnolo Super Record EPS (internal battery in seatpost), Integrated campy battery, and Canyon’s own branded stem and seatpost.
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- The BMC Impec has to be one of the most interesting bikes to look at with so many distinguishing features. Most riders we speak to on BMC prefer the SLR01 Teammachine though. Equipped with Shimano Di2 (internal battery), C50 wheels, and 3T bar/stem. On the top tube a small wooden badge saying “MyKnoaky” (knock on wood). Google it.
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- Shimano-Giant’s (formerly Argos-Shimano) bikes in 2014 are obviously Giants. A mix between TCR Advanced SLs and Propels are what the riders are using. The brakes that Belkin used last year and that are also being used this year are after-market made by Fourier (feedback hasn’t been positive on the stock TRP brakes). Other parts include Shimano Di2, C50 wheels, PRO bar/stem (instead of the stock Giant), and the trusty Elite aluminium bottle cages. The bike shown here is the one Marcel Kittel used to win the People’s Choice Classic on Sunday evening.