More often that, custom paint jobs are designed to draw attention. Few people in the stands for Sunday's People's Choice criterium in downtown Adelaide likely saw anything other than a matte black frame beneath Orica-GreenEdge's Matthew Goss, who finished second. However, a closer look at the bike reveals that it's anything but standard issue.
Goss represented Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games, and there's no shortage of iconography on his frame to commemorate the occasion. While the majority is finished in matte black, the trailing edges of the down tube and seat stays are covered in little double-decker buses, London Underground logos, and Union Jacks – all done in a subtle, tasteful manner.
Otherwise, Goss' build kit is standard team issue, including 10-speed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with sprinter shifters and a custom internal battery (none of the teams have enough 11-speed components on hand yet). There's also an earlier version of Shimano's latest 50mm-deep Dura-Ace carbon tubular wheels, a PRO cockpit, Prologo saddle, SRM power meter, Dura-Ace pedals, and Elite bottle cages.
One interesting change we've noted from years past, however, is tire size. Pro teams aren't just moving to wider rims, they're moving to wider tires, and Goss' Continental Competition Pro Limiteds are a healthy 25mm across, for better traction and a smoother ride. Goss also gets a trick green anodized aluminum SRM PowerMeter 7 display, while other Orica-GreenEdge riders use the standard plastic head.
Subtle London-themed icons on the down tube
Position-wise, Goss' machine is about what we've come to expect from sprinters: a relatively forward saddle, lots of handlebar drop, and a long stem. We've noticed some sprinters moving towards narrower handlebars recently – supposedly to squeeze through gaps in the mad rush to the line more easily – but Goss is using a fairly normal 42cm-wide (center-to-center) PRO PLT Compact 2.
Total weight as pictured is 7.39kg (16.29lb) with the computer head installed.
Complete bike specification
- Frame: Scott Foil HMX NET, 52cm
- Fork: Scott Foil HMX NET
- Headset: Ritchey WCS Logic Zero 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered
- Stem: PRO Vibe 7s, 130mm x -6 degrees
- Handlebar: PRO PLT Compact 2, 42cm (center-to-center)
- Tape/grips: Prologo OneTouch
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-7970
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-7970
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970 with SW-7972 sprint shifters
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 11-25T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7901
- Crankset: SRM Wireless PowerMeter Shimano Dura-Ace Compatible, 172.5mm, 53/39T
- Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace SM-BB7900
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-7900
- Wheelset: Shimano Dura-Ace WH-9000-C50-TU
- Front tire: Continental Competition Pro LTD tubular, 25mm
- Rear tire: Continental Competition Pro LTD tubular, 25mm
- Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro TR Nack
- Seatpost: Scott Foil
- Bottle cages: Elite Custom Race (2)
- Computer: SRM PowerControl 7
- Other accessories: Custom internal battery
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.77m (5ft 10in)
- Rider's weight: 70kg (154lb)
- Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 743mm
- Saddle setback: 45mm
- Seat tube length, c-c: 460mm
- Tip of saddle nose to c of bars: 556mm
- Saddle to bar drop (vertical): 115mm
- Head tube length: 120mm
- Top tube length: 535mm
- Total bicycle weight: 7.39kg (16.29lb)