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In the pits: Time trial bikes in California

Teams are even using aero bottles these days.

  • The Felt DA of Slipstream rider Dave Zabriskie is ready to go just prior to his start.
  • Slipstream riders used two versions of Zipp's new Powertap-equipped disc wheels.
  • Zipp will offer its new PowerTap-equipped rear disc in both its new Sub9 shape…
  • …as well as a fully flat disc for riders that prefer a stiffer feel.
  • Naturally, both wheels get the full dimpled treatment for which Zipp has become well known.
  • The prologue was reasonably technical but riders were still using 21mm tires in search of more speed
  • Slipstream's Felt DA machines include neatly routed cables that keep them out of clean air.
  • Corima carbon-specific brake pads are still a popular choice among the pro peloton.
  • Zabriskie's spare bike was topped by this custom-covered fi'zi:k saddle.
  • Several Slipstream guys slapped fi'zi:k's 'extra grip strip' appliqués on their saddles
  • Yikes, that's a narrow setup!
  • Zabriskie warms up before his start.
  • Team CSC will ride Cervélo P3C bikes again this season.
  • 3T is a new sponsor for Team CSC and team bikes were fitted with the new Ventus LTD aero bar.
  • Not much frontal area to look at here!
  • Surprisingly, team Cervélo frames were also fitted with 3T forks instead of the stock Wolf models.
  • 3T claims its Funda fork blades offer an aerodynamic advantage thanks to careful shaping.
  • CSC is also using 3T stems…
  • …but not on all of its bikes yet. Some riders need special sizes which 3T hasn't produced yet.
  • FSA still supplies the team with its cranksets which neatly round out the Dura-Ace drivetrain.
  • CSC's cables aren't quite as tucked away as Slipstream's but are still held tightly against the stem
  • Trek claims that its Equinox TTX frames are some of the most aerodynamic around
  • The 'grooved' top tube supposedly imparts additional stiffness to the frame.
  • Astana is using a mix of rear discs, such as this Lightweight model covered by Bontrager decals
  • Bontrager's Aeolus 'triple radius' discs were still in heavy use on the team.
  • The Trek Equinox TTX also incorporates very neatly tucked away cables.
  • Rock Racing was supposed to be riding DeRosa frames
  • Other makes were seen within the Rock Racing warm-up tent including a camouflaged Scott Plasma…
  • …and even a Look 496 whose distinctive shapes were easy to identify.
  • The Look 496 bears a particularly unique-looking bottom bracket area…
  • …but the Look Ergostem and unique fork arrangement were the dead giveaways.
  • Electrical tape was liberally applied to conceal the Look logos.
  • Hey guys, you missed a spot!
  • Rock Racing's Mario Cipollini rode his own make of bike for this year's prologue.
  • Cipollini makes his way to the start amidst a throng of fans…
  • …and is escorted by a Rock Racing bodyguard!
  • Rock Racing has secured Cole Products as its wheel sponsor.
  • Even so, there were plenty of non-Cole wheels littered about the team area.
  • GT doesn't make a time trial frame so Jelly Belly uses these mystery substitutes
  • Mmm… jelly beans!
  • Some Jelly Belly riders rode aluminum frames, not carbon ones.
  • Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast used Trek TTX frames as leMond also has no time trial frame
  • SRAM debuted a prototype chainring. Supposedly stiffer, it also provides WAY more room for logos.
  • Production models will be quite a bit lighter than these protos.
  • Teams are even using aero bottles these days.
  • Trek's previous generation TTX sheltered the cables; Trek picked up on this fairly early on
  • Team High Road makes an effort to tuck in its cables by virtue of some zip ties.
  • Ben Jacques-Maynes' Pinarello Montello FM1 gets the same treatment.

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Teams are even using aero bottles these days.

© James Huang, technical editor