Gallery: Fabio Aru’s custom painted Argon18 Gallium Pro

Distinctive red design for former Vuelta a España champion

Josh Evans / Immediate Media

Published: June 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Astana's Fabio Aru arrived to the Criterium du Dauphine with his form unknown after nearly three months without a race. The Sardinian, who won the Vuelta a España in 2015, looks to test himself ahead of the Tour de France where he will line up alongside teammate and Olympic medalist Jakob Fuglsang.

For the Criterium du Dauphine, Canadian frame manufacturer Argon18 presented Aru with a custom painted Gallium Pro frameset. Dubbed ‘metallised red’, the distinctive design features mirror silver decals and Aru’s name and logo on the top tube.

At last year’s edition of the race, the Astana team raced on Specialized bikes and Aru rode a custom painted red and white Specialized Tarmac, paying homage to his Sardinian roots.

This year’s bike is a combination of FSA and Shimano drivetrain components, and while the shifting is handled by Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 series components, Aru runs a FSA K-Force Light crankset with 53/39t chain rings.

Aru runs a FSA K-Force Light crankset with 53/39t chainrings - Josh Evans / Immediate Media

The Astana team generally runs Shimano Ultegra cassettes and chains to keep overall costs down, and potentially add weight to ensure the bikes meet the minimum 6.8kg limit set by the UCI.

FSA also provides the seat post and cockpit, which is finished with a K-Edge out-front Garmin mount.

Finishing kit also includes a Prologo Nago Evo saddle in Astana team colours and an FSA K-Force Light carbon seat post.

Astana runs Corima wheels and while the team partners with Schwalbe to provide tyres, Aru opts for a set of Specialized S-Works Turbo tubular tyres with the label blacked out with marker pen.

Full specifications

Complete bike specification

  • Frame: Argon18 Gallium Pro
  • Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
  • Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070
  • Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070
  • Cassette: Shimano Ultegra, 11-28t
  • Chain: Shimano Ultegra
  • Crankset: FSA K-Force Light, 53/39t with Power2Max power meter
  • Wheelset: Corima 47 S+
  • Tyres: Specialized S-Works Turbo tubular, 26mm
  • Handlebars: FSA K-Force Light carbon, 420mm
  • Stem: FSA OS168 alloy
  • Headset: FSA
  • Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon
  • Saddle: Prologo Nago Evo in Astana team colours
  • Seat post: FSA K-Force Light carbon
  • Bottle cages: Tacx Deva
  • Computer mount: K-Edge Sport

Critical measurements

  • Weight: 66 kg
  • Height: 183 cm

Click or swipe through the gallery above for a detailed look at the Italian's bike.