The UCI almost looks to have had these Specialized S-Works Shiv integrated bars in mind when it penned the ‘two-level’ diagram.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
This is the sort of thing teams and sponsors have to contend with when designing equipment and supplying componentry.UCI
This spare Quick Step bike is fitted with a drop version of Vision’s Trimax aerobar.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
We can understand the UCI’s concern in regards to how ‘two-level’ aerobars might be used but in reality, it’d be nearly impossible for a rider to place his elbows on the base bar underneath the arm rests and still be able to control the bike, at least when straight or s-bend extensions are used.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Wow! Check out the bar setup on Jens Voigt’s (Saxo Bank) Specialized S-Works Shiv.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Voigt’s aerobar setup looks more like an aeroplane from this angle than a bicycle handlebar.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Specialized’s novel extension riser system also provides a convenient mounting point for a computer.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Based on the UCI literature, extension risers are not permitted but Columbia-HTC appears to have plead their case successfully.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
So is this bar constructed on two levels or isn’t it?James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Columbia-High Road has made the switch from their previous ‘TechDev’ bikes to Scott’s new Plasma 3.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The integrated bars on Giant’s new Trinity Advanced SL time trial bike can easily accept extension risers but Rabobank team leader Denis Menchov goes without here.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The Cofidis team is using Look’s new 596 model for time trials.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Setups of this type are remarkably common at this year’s Tour de France with little – if any – height difference between the base bars and the extensions.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
This Cofidis rider has to use Look’s dual-pivot Ergostem to get his bars low enough.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The Bouygues Telecom team includes riders with a wide range of heights – yet there is very little variation in bar position across the board.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Bouygues Telecom looks to be taking the literal translation of the UCI’s ‘two-level’ bar rule – the base bar and extensions are virtually in the same horizontal plane here.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Vision previously had had some issues with the UCI concerning this aerobar. Based on what we’d been told, the UCI apparently took issue with the extended molded-in armrests, saying they provided more than two points of contact per arm. That regulation looks to have been relaxed since then, though.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Ridley premiered its speedy-looking Dean last year under the Silence-Lotto team but now supplies the Katusha squad instead.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Katusha is using Deda aero bars on its Ridley machines with this model sporting extensions perfectly in-plane with the base bar.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
On the other hand, the Deda bar on this Katusha machine has extensions placed slightly above the base bar. So is this a ‘two-level’ bar?James Huang/BikeRadar.com
This Milram aerobar setup looks to comfortably adhere to the UCI’s ‘two-level’ bar rule but we’re not sure how visible the Garmin Edge computer will be.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Milram’s time trial bike is designed by Andy Walser, who has long provided top pros with custom aero machines.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Like most other teams, Liquigas has equipped its Cannondale Slice Hi-Mod bikes with flat base bars.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Liquigas’ Cannondale Slice Hi-Mod frames haven’t changed much in appearance since their introduction two years ago but updates to fibre content and lay-up schedules have put it on a diet.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The Ritchey bar on this Lampre team-issue Wilier has its extensions mounted below the base bar – no chance of this rider dropping their elbows and adopting a pseudo-praying mantis position here.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Lampre’s Wilier time trial bikes are among the curvier models in the peloton.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The Ag2r team is using BH time trial bikes – some with flat base bars and some with drop.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Euskaltel-Euskadi will use Orbea’s striking Ordu carbon frame for the time trial around Lake Annecy.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
The Skil-Shimano team-issue Koga time trial bikes are fitted with PRO integrated aerobars.James Huang/BikeRadar.com
Skil-Shimano riders are using a mix of dropped and flat base bars.James Huang/BikeRadar.com