Marcel Kittel's (Giant-Shimano) Giant Propel Advanced - about five hours before winning Scheldeprijs in a sprint finish - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Giant-Shimano's Giant Propel Advanced's use aftermarket Fouriers machined aluminum brakes instead of the molded carbon fiber ones sold on the stock bikes - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Fourier DX005 brakes feature two stops for the cable noodle so that mechanics can quickly swap between wide and narrow rims - James Huang/Future Publishing
25mm-wide Vittoria Corsa SC tubulars for Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Supplemental Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 sprint shifters for three-time Scheldeprijs winner Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) uses semi-anatomic bars and levers mounted in a traditional location - James Huang/Future Publishing
Giant-Shimano mechanics use heat shrink tubing to clean up the cable routing - James Huang/Future Publishing
Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) has now won Scheldeprijs three times in a row - James Huang/Future Publishing
A stout carbon fiber PRO Vibe Sprint stem for Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) uses a cutout PRO Turnix saddle - James Huang/Future Publishing
A relatively wide-range 11-28T Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 cassette for Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Tyler Farrar's (Garmin-Sharp) Cervélo S3 is safely tucked away in between two others just before the start of Scheldeprijs. The former winner would end up second on the day - James Huang/Future Publishing
A sleek 3T Integra LTD stem with an integrated Garmin Edge mount for Garmin-Sharp sprinter Tyler Farrar - James Huang/Future Publishing
Garmin-Sharp riders are finally using Garmin's new Vector power meter in competition. Also note the new Rotor adjustable chain catcher - James Huang/Future Publishing
Mavic Cosmic CXR 80 carbon tubular wheels for Garmin-Sharp's Tyler Farrar - James Huang/Future Publishing
Rotor's new chain catcher uses a sliding lower section with a long, flat edge that should work better with the larger inner chainrings that will be used at Paris-Roubaix - James Huang/Future Publishing
Garmin-Sharp team mechanics clearly take a lot of pride in how the riders' number plates are installed. Note how precisely the front of Tyler Farrar's plate is cut to follow the profile of the frame - James Huang/Future Publishing
Arundel Mandible carbon fiber cages on Tyler Farrar's (Garmin-Sharp) Cervélo S3 at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Most of the brakes we saw before the start of Scheldeprijs had the quick-releases in the open position - James Huang/Future Publishing
A generous wrap of electrical tape joins the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wire and rear brake housing together - James Huang/Future Publishing
Danny Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare) rode this Wilier Triestina Cento 1 SR at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
While most riders seem to prefer having their Garmin Edge displays out in front of the bars, Danny Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare) instead has opted for K-Edge's steerer cap mount - James Huang/Future Publishing
Custom-finished K-Edge chain catchers for the UnitedHealthcare team - James Huang/Future Publishing
Danny Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare) is riding a fi'zi:k Antares VSX saddle - James Huang/Future Publishing
UnitedHealthcare's Wilier Triestina Cento 1 SR frames are a variation of the paint schemes used on production bikes - James Huang/Future Publishing
Danny Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare) runs his bars tilted slightly downward but with the levers mounted very high - not too surprising considering his Cyclo-cross background - James Huang/Future Publishing
Maxxis has revamped UnitedHealthcare's Campione tubular tyres to be more raceworthy than before. Given that the tread actually matches with the consumer version, there's a good chance these aren't simply rebadged models from another company - James Huang/Future Publishing
Custom stainless steel number plate holders from K-Edge for the UnitedHealthcare team - James Huang/Future Publishing
Several FDJ.fr used Lapierre's new Pulsium endurance bike at Scheldeprijs - likely as a final shakeout test before Paris-Roubaix on Sunday - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lapierre says the Pulsium's elastomer insert damps more vibration and allows for more top tube-seat tube flex than the compay's previous endurance bike - James Huang/Future Publishing
Some FDJ.fr riders have also started pairing current-generation Xelius frames with the direct-mount forks of the upcoming Aircode aero road model - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lapierre's new Aircode fork features direct-mount brakes. FDJ.fr has spliced those on to existing Xelius frames here - James Huang/Future Publishing
25mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars for the FDJ.fr team at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
FDJ.fr is using SRM power meters - James Huang/Future Publishing
Sometimes pro riders are looking for just a few millimeters of additional bar drop and bearing durability is a small price to pay to get it - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lapierre has built the Pulsium fork with a generous 50mm of rake and a tighter curve up top in an effort to boost rider comfort - James Huang/Future Publishing
Long-reach brake calipers on FDJ.fr's new Lapierre Pulsium endurance bikes allow for Paris-Roubaix-friendly tyre sizes - James Huang/Future Publishing
Aluminium Elite Ciussi bottle cags for the FDJ.fr team - James Huang/Future Publishing
Most of the Lotto-Belisol riders, such as Kenny Dehaes, were on the aero Ridley Noah FAST at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Ridley claims the split seat stays and fork blades on the Noah FAST pull air away from the wheels to reduce aerodynamic drag - James Huang/Future Publishing
Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two deep-section carbon tubulars for the Lotto-Belisol squad at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
The roughened strips on the sides of Lotto-Belisol's Ridley Noah FAST head tubes and seat tubes supposedly help passing air 'stick' to the frame - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lotto-Belisol is using internally mounted Campagnolo EPS batteries. Note the charging port just beneath the bottle cage on the seat tube - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lotto-Belisol rider Marcel Sieberg went with a Ridley X-Night 'cross bike at Scheldeprijs - perhaps as a last shakeout test before Paris-Roubaix - James Huang/Future Publishing
TRP CX8.4 direct-pull brakes for Marcel Sieberg's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley X-Night at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
25mm-wide Continental Competition Pro Limited ALX tubulars for the Lotto-Belisol team at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Two layers of Lizard Skins DSP tape make for quite the handful on Marcel Sieberg's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley X-Night at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Lotto-Belisol team mechanics use additional clamps on the seatposts as a bit of extra insurance against slippage at Scheldeprijs. Note how they also made good use of the vestigial rear brake housing stop - James Huang/Future Publishing
Other Lotto-Belisol riders had their race numbers attached to the back of the seatmast head - James Huang/Future Publishing
Friction can be a major problem on direct-mount brakes such as used on Lotto-Belisol's Ridley Noah FAST. Team mechanics have applied short sections of heat shrink tubing and o-rings in an effort to keep out the crud - James Huang/Future Publishing
Neri Sottoli's ultra-bright MCipollini machines just before the start of Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Ursus carbon tubular wheels and Schwalbe tires for the Neri Sottoli team - James Huang/Future Publishing
MCipollini's latest Bond frames feature BB386EVO bottom bracket shells - James Huang/Future Publishing
Matching bright neon Time Xpresso pedals for the Neri Sottoli team - James Huang/Future Publishing
A mix of Scott Foils and Addicts for the IAM Cycling squad at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
IAM Cycling's Prologo saddles feature grippy CPC covers - James Huang/Future Publishing
IAM Cycling riders were on a mix of DT Swiss Spline carbon tubular wheels at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
ISM's Adamo split-nose saddles may look unsual but more than a handful of riders have broken their sponsorship obligations in order to run them - James Huang/Future Publishing
Schwalbe's 'First Ride' prototype program supplies top teams and riders with special tyre prototypes that may or may not make it into production - James Huang/Future Publishing
Elite touts its Cannibal cage as being useful on compact frames given its side-access entry but apparently it holds bottles pretty well, too - James Huang/Future Publishing
The distinctive hub shell design on IAM Cycling's DT Swiss Spline wheels - James Huang/Future Publishing
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) switched from the BMC SLR01 model he used during Ronde van Vlaanderen to a GranFondo GF01 - likely in preparation for Sunday's run at Paris-Roubaix - James Huang/Future Publishing
A forged aluminium 3T ARX II Team stem and carbon fiber traditional-bend 3T Rotundo Team bars for Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) - James Huang/Future Publishing
The unusual kinks and angles on the BMC GF01 provide better big-bump performance than the otherwise comfy SLR01 model - James Huang/Future Publishing
The integrated chain catcher on Greg Van Avermaet's (BMC) BMC GF01 - James Huang/Future Publishing
Traditional-bend bars and supplemental Di2 sprint shifters on Greg Van Avermaet's (BMC) BMC GF01 at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
25mm-wide Continental Competition Pro Limited ALX tubulars for Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) rides a 54cm BMC GF01 - James Huang/Future Publishing
Elite Sior Mio bottle cages for the BMC squad at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Davide Appollonio's (Ag2r-La Mondiale) Focus Izalco Max at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Slim fork blades suggest a smooth ride on Ag2r-La Mondiale's Focus Izalco Max bikes - James Huang/Future Publishing
Schwalbe One HT tubulars for David Appollonio (Ag2r-La Mondiale) at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Davide Appollonio (Ag2r-La Mondiale) sits on fi'zi:k's discontinued - but ultralight - Arione k:1 saddle - James Huang/Future Publishing
A full fi'zi:k cockpit - including handlebar tape - for Davide Appollonio (Ag2r-La Mondiale) - James Huang/Future Publishing
The rather stout looking replaceable rear derailleur hanger on Ag2r-La Mondiale's Focus Izalco Max - James Huang/Future Publishing
Ag2r-La Mondiale team mechanics use sections of plastic wire wrap to tidy up the front ends - James Huang/Future Publishing
While most of the Cannondale team went with the smoother-riding Synapse Hi-Mod, Elia Viviani opted for the SuperSix EVO - James Huang/Future Publishing
Peter Sagan's (Cannondale) custom-geometry Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod just before the start of Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
MTN-Qhubeka's Trek Madones are hard to miss - James Huang/Future Publishing
MTN-Quebeka is sponsored by SRAM, who doesn't make direct-mount brakes, so the team has to use different forks on its Madone frames - James Huang/Future Publishing
Strips of electrical tape keep crud out of SRAM's Red DoubleTap levers when they're up atop the team cars - James Huang/Future Publishing
Europcar riders went with a variety of different Colnagos at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Scheldeprijs's more straightforward parcours translated into much smaller course notes for the riders than at Ronde van Vlaanderen - James Huang/Future Publishing
Androni Giocattoli riders were mostly on Bianchi Sempre Pros at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Four-arm FSA K-Force Light cranksets for the Androni Giocattoli riders at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Omega Pharma-QuickStep riders - including Tom Boonen - were mostly on the aero Venge model at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is certainly hoping for another Paris-Roubaix win on Sunday, although he'll assuredly be on a Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL4 and not this Venge that he used at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
A Cofidis team-issue Look 675 about to go for a ride atop the team car at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
The semi-integrated stem on the Cofidis Look 675 is certainly distinctive looking - James Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha riders used Canyon Ultimate CF SLX frames across the board at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
The clever clip-on Selle Italia logo makes the saddle easier to identify in race photos - James Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha riders Vladimir Gusev and Vladimir Isaichev both went with bar top mounted brake levers at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Custom paint for Katusha rider Luca Paolini - James Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff's (Katusha) custom painted Canyon Ultimate CF SLX - James Huang/Future Publishing
Supplemental Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 sprint shifters for Katusha captain Alexander Kristoff - James Huang/Future Publishing
Grippy handlebar tape for Katusha rider Alexander Kristoff - James Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff's (Katusha) Canyon VCLS seatpost flexes more than most for a cushier ride over rough roads - James Huang/Future Publishing
Yet another set of stout Elite Ciussi aluminium bottle cages, this time for Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Bradley Wiggins' (Sky) Pinarello Dogma K before the start of Scheldeprijs. Wiggins has focused his training efforts for a top finish at Paris-Roubaix - James Huang/Future Publishing
Bradley Wiggins (Sky) has his bars wrapped all the way up to the stem clamp. Team mechanics say it's something he's carried over from his days on the track - James Huang/Future Publishing
An extra-padded custom fi'zi:k Arione saddle for Bradley Wiggins (Sky) - James Huang/Future Publishing
There's certainly no mistaking which country Bradley Wiggins (Sky) calls home - James Huang/Future Publishing
Veloflex Arenberg tubular tyres for Bradley Wiggins (Sky) at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Wiggo! - James Huang/Future Publishing
Speedplay Zero Nanogram pedals for Bradley Wiggins (Sky) - James Huang/Future Publishing
White numbers on the back of the seat tube help team mechanics quickly identify bikes when they're on top of the cars - James Huang/Future Publishing
Andrea Guardini's (Astana) Specialized S-Works Venge before the start of Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Corima deep-section carbon tubular wheels for the Astana squad at Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
One of Theo Bos's (Belkin) spare Bianchi Oltre XRs before the start of Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
25mm-wide Vittoria Corsa SC tubulars for Theo Bos (Belkin) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Sprint shifters and Lizard Skins DSP tape for Belkin strongman Theo Bos - James Huang/Future Publishing
Trek Factory Racing's fleet of Madones and Domanes just before the start of Scheldeprijs - James Huang/Future Publishing
Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) roared to his third consecutive win at Scheldeprijs, this time aboard Giant's slippery Propel Advanced aero road machine. The big German's setup wasn't just focused on reducing drag, though.
Giant was late to the aero road bike game having launched its Propel Advanced just a little more than a year ago. That extra time has been put to good use, however, as independent tests have verified it to be among the most slippery options available with its sleek shape, compact rear triangle, level top tube, shielded rear wheel, clipped down tube tail, and integrated direct-pull brakes.
Marcel kittel's giant propel advanced
Marcel Kittel's Giant Propel Advanced SL
Team bikes forego the carbon fiber calipers used on standard consumer bikes, though, in favor for the new Fouriers DX005 aluminium model, which are a touch heavier but lend a firmer feel at the lever (and not long ago were limited solely to team riders). These calipers also add a little extra race-specific convenience. Each brake includes two stops for the cable noodle milled at different depths so that mechanics can quickly and easily swap between wheels with wider or narrower profiles, plus the more conventional clamp is gentler on brake cables than the carbon version's set screws.
Marcel kittel's (giant-shimano) giant propel advanced - about five hours before winning scheldeprijs in a sprint finish: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Marcel Kittel charged to his third consecutive Scheldeprijs victory aboard this Giant Propel Advanced
Kittel's 50mm-deep Shimano Dura-Ace carbon tubulars continue the aero theme but otherwise, it's standard fare with a little extra focus on harnessing the three-time winner's immense power output. Among the key highlights are a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9000 electronic group with supplemental sprint shifters on the drops, a massive PRO Vibe Sprint carbon fiber stem, an aluminium PRO semi-anatomic bar, 25mm-wide Vittoria Corsa SC tubulars, and an SRM/Dura-Ace power meter. In spite of the flat course profile, Kittel used a relative wide 11-28T cassette.
Giant-Shimano's giant propel advanceds use team-only machined aluminum brakes instead of the molded carbon fiber ones sold to the public: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Fouriers machined aluminium direct-pull brakes are tucked behind the smoothly shaped fork crown
Take a closer look at Kittel's setup in the image gallery at top right, along with scores of other bikes from the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Tom Boonen, Alexander Kristoff, Tyler Farrar and many others from the team paddocks in Antwerp, Belgium.
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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