Bikeradar gallery

Grams vs aerodynamics at Tour of California

The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 of Paolo Bettini with the world champ rainbow and Olympic gold.

  • Nearly all of the Slipstream/Chipotle riders took off with Zipp's relatively shallow 202 wheels.
  • Some riders stuck with the deeper Zipp 404's, though.
  • Virtually all of Team High Road stayed with the wheels it had been using over the first two stages.
  • Rabobank was split even within its own ranks. This rider opted for shallow rims; other went deep.
  • Astana mostly went the lightweight route with Bontrager's Race XXX Lite tubulars.
  • Leipheimer went light for the climbs of Stage 3…
  • …and his particular Trek Madone was also fitted with a carbon fiber steerer tube.
  • Leipheimer and the Astana boys are using SRAM's new Red group, including the uber-light levers…
  • …and the trick new PowerDome cassette. But do these changes now make Leipheimer's bike too light?
  • The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 of Paolo Bettini with the world champ rainbow and Olympic gold.
  • Bettini's pedals get the rainbow stripes, too…
  • …and even his saddle.
  • Look showed off this throwback paint job in its expo booth at the finish in San Jose.
  • With the SRAM acquisition of Zipp, Zipp's outside reps now also handle SRAM Red.
  • Maxxis was in the finish area expo with its usual crew of BMX stunt riders and bicycle tires…
  • …but Maxxis is also heavily involved in tires for motorized vehicles.
  • The start line was round the corner from a county courthouse where we spotted this aptly placed ad.
  • Parking was tight in downtown San Jose near the finish. Parking garages did well today.
  • What was this line for in the expo area?
  • The City of San Jose was handing out free, properly fitted helmets to whomever wanted on

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The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 of Paolo Bettini with the world champ rainbow and Olympic gold.

© James Huang, technical editor