With the Tour de France kicking off Saturday in Düsseldorf, a few German riders are keen to win the 14km time trial, not least among them world time trial champion Tony Martin. We took a look at his rainbow-themed single-ring bike the day before the Tour begins.
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Most notable on Martin's bike is his gearing choice. Using a 54t or 56t big ring isn't uncommon for the world's best time trialists, and a 58t isn't unheard of. But those riders will still use a second, smaller ring. Martin has a single 58t ring.
At the 2003 Tour de France, David Millar used a similar set-up: a single chainring with the front derailleur removed for aerodynamic benefit. He dropped his chain during the time trial.
In recent years, however, SRAM has invested heavily in single-ring transmissions, with a clutch rear derailleur that pulls the chain taut and 1x-specific tooth profiles on chainrings.
Tony Martin is using a standard SRAM Red rear derailleur, but has a prototype X-Sync chainring.
Removing the front derailleur has two aerodynamic benefits. One, getting rid of the derailleur itself eliminates its aero drag. But two, by running a huge front chainring, even Tony Martin will often have to use a larger rear cog, which will pull the rear derailleur a bit closer into the bike's center and thus slightly out of the wind, further reducing drag.
Also remarkable on Martin's bike: Ergon grips instead of the standard handlebar tape and the straight-up grip tape Martin has long trusted on his Selle Italia Tri saddle for keeping him anchored when riding out on the nose.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at Martin's Canyon Speedmax CF SLX.
Full specifications
- Frame: Canyon Speedmax CF SLX, custom paint for 2016 world champion
- Fork: Canyon F32 Aero
- Brakes: Canyon B11, B12 integrated aero
- Brake/shift levers: SRAM Red eTap with Blips
- Derailleurs: SRAM Red eTap
- Cassette: SRAM, 11-32T
- Crankset: SRAM Red cranks — 175mm, 58T customised outer chainring and Quarq powermeter
- Rear wheel: Zipp Super-9 disc, custom decals for world champion
- Front wheel: Zipp 808, custom decals for world champion
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TT, 23mm
- Stem: Canyon V19 AL Aero
- Handlebars: Canyon H26 CF basebar
- Extensions: Canyon E192
- Grips: Ergon Canyon base bar grips
- Pedals: Look Keo Carbon Blade
- Saddle: Selle Italia Tri with grip tape
- Seatpost: Canyon S32 carbon
- Bottle cages: Tacx Aero
- Computer: N/A
