Pro bike: Philippe Gilbert’s Omega Pharma-Lotto Canyon Aeroad CF

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=45&resize=462%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-270740 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=461%2C600" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) will be looking for stage glory at this year's Tour de France aboard his new custom Canyon Aeroad CF" title="1309619532733-1ebylima9vh9q-f4833f7" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) will be looking for stage glory at this year’s Tour de France aboard his new custom Canyon Aeroad CF James Huang/BikeRadar.com

Omega Pharma-Lotto riders have their choice of bikes from team sponsors Canyon and despite the Ultimate CF SLX model being the stiffest and lightest in the range, some of them have chosen the Aeroad CF instead – including new Belgian national champion and Tour stage 1 winner Philippe Gilbert.

True, the Aeroad CF’s presumably lower drag may theoretically be faster in some situations. As compared to the Ultimate CF form, the Aeroad sports a slimmed down head tube, deeper and narrower-profile tubing through the down tube, seatstays and fork blades, plus generally smoother lines throughout. According to one of the team mechanics, though, most of the converts simply cite that bike’s softer ride to ease the burden of long days in the saddle.

Gilbert’s machine has undergone a number of changes since we last looked at it back at the team camp in January. Gilbert now gets not one but two custom painted frames with a racy checkerboard motif that plays off of his “Fast Phil” moniker – one in the black, red and yellow hues of Belgium and another in a more subdued black, silver and light blue.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=320%2C240, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=640%2C480 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=800%2C600 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C240, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C480 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=45&resize=800%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"><source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=375%2C281, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=750%2C563 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=800%2C600 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=90&resize=375%2C281, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=45&resize=750%2C563 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619805034-1v0dmlgvmt7bl-646daa2.jpg?quality=45&resize=800%2C600 3x" type="image/jpeg"> SRM’s new campagnolo-based power meter makes an appearance on the canyon aeroad cf of philippe gilbert (omega pharma-lotto).: srm’s new campagnolo-based power meter makes an appearance on the canyon aeroad cf of philippe gilbert (omega pharma-lotto). James Huang/BikeRadar.com Campagnolo’s new SRM compatible spider

Components have been upgraded, too, from the previous Campagnolo Record 11 groups to the full-blown Super Record version on both bikes, plus SRM’s new Campagnolo-compatible power meter on Gilbert’s primary machine. Key items of note include the twin dual-pivot brake calipers for more stopping power – most Campagnolo-equipped bikes use a single-pivot rear brake – and a more durable steel and titanium-cogged rear cassette instead of the standard full-titanium Super Record cluster.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=320%2C427, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=640%2C854 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=800%2C1067 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C427, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C854 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=45&resize=800%2C1067 3x" type="image/jpeg"><source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=375%2C500, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=750%2C1000 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=800%2C1067 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=90&resize=375%2C500, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=45&resize=750%2C1000 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309619888158-1q95odzqjj57f-499b2ca.jpg?quality=45&resize=800%2C1067 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Philippe gilbert (omega pharma-lotto) is running a berner carbon fiber cage on his campagnolo super record rear derailleur with dual oversized pulleys that are said to reduce drivetrain friction.: philippe gilbert (omega pharma-lotto) is running a berner carbon fiber cage on his campagnolo super record rear derailleur with dual oversized pulleys that are said to reduce drivetrain friction. James Huang/BikeRadar.com Berner rear derailleur cage

Gilbert has even jumped on the most recent pro-level upgrade bandwagon on his primary bike, which has been fitted with a still-exotic Berner carbon fiber rear derailleur cage with hugely oversized upper and lower pulleys that supposedly decrease drivetrain friction.

Omega Pharma-Lotto team riders have their choice of a number of Mavic wheels, and Gilbert’s bikes were both equipped with the company’s light, speedy and versatile Cosmic Carbone Ultimate, all wrapped with 22mm-wide Continental Competition Pro Limited Allround tubulars. Ritchey again provide the classic-bend carbon bar and carbon-wrapped forged aluminum stem, seating duties are handled by Selle Italia’s comparatively cushy Flite TT Team Edition saddle, and Look supply their KéO Blade pedals.

Finishing things off are a pair of Tacx Tao Carbon bottle cages, a custom chain watcher that mounts in between the seat tube and water bottle cage, SRM’s Power Control 7 computer head (not pictured), and a Cane Creek headset with custom Acros top caps. Total weight for Gilbert’s primary bike as pictured is 7.02kg (15.48lb).

Complete bike specifications

Frame: Canyon Aeroad CF, 56cm Fork: Canyon Aeroblade SL, 44mm rake Headset: Cane Creek integrated, tapered 1-1/8 to 1-1/4in Stem: Ritchey WCS Carbon 4-Axis, 12cm x -6° Handlebar: Ritchey WCS Classic, 42cm (c-c) Tape: Ritchey cork Front brake: Campagnolo Super Record D-Skeleton, dual-pivot w/ Mavic carbon-specific pads by SwissStop Rear brake: Campagnolo Super Record D-Skeleton, dual-pivot w/ Mavic carbon-specific pads by SwissStop Brake levers: Campagnolo Super Record Ergopower Ultra-Shift 11s Front derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record 11s Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record 11s w/ Berner cage Shift levers: Campagnolo Super Record Ergopower Ultra-Shift 11s Cassette: Campagnolo Record 11s, 11-25T Chain: Campagnolo Record 11s Crankset: SRM Campagnolo Super Record, 172.5mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Ultra-Torque OS-Fit Pedals: Look KéO Blade Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate Front tire: Continental Competition Pro Limited Allround tubular, 22mm Rear tire: Continental Competition Pro Limited Allround tubular, 22mm Saddle: Selle Italia Flite TT Team Edition Seat post: Canyon VCLS Aero Post Bottle cages: Tacx Tao Carbon (2) Computer: SRM Power Control 7 Other accessories: Custom chain catcher Critical measurements

Rider’s height: 1.79m (5ft 10in) Rider’s weight: 72kg (159lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 780mm Saddle setback: 75mm Seat tube length, c-t: 552mm Seat tube length, c-c: 520mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 587mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 115mm Head tube length: 150mm Top tube length: 560mm Total bicycle weight: 7.02kg (15.48lb)