Cleaning accounts for the majority of a mechanic's time. A clean bike is less likely to suffer wear and tear, so bikes are cleaned every day - David Rome/Future Publishing
Even among the professionals, torque wrenches are a vital tool. This mechanic was using two to reduce time wasted with bit swapping - David Rome/Future Publishing
A box full of German tools is a good sign that this mechanic isn't local to Australia - David Rome/Future Publishing
Discarded team bidons are reused to hold cleaning products and tubular tyre glue - each applied with a paintbrush - David Rome/Future Publishing
The Abbey bike tools Crombie tool. It allows the Drapac Cycling mechanic to remove the cassette without removing the quick-release skewer - David Rome/Future Publishing
The team car bike racks are simple – a single toe strap holds the bike in place. Speedy removal is key - David Rome/Future Publishing
Some mechanics didn't bring their normal tool boxes, instead opting for lighter (and smaller) soft cases - David Rome/Future Publishing
On the other hand, the locally based mechanic for Team Uni-SA didn't need to worry about case size. The tool holding pallets in this case are clearly homemade - David Rome/Future Publishing
Even with compressed air on tap, track pumps are the only way to get the appropriate pressure - David Rome/Future Publishing
This tool bag held just the essentials - the 12in spirit level is by far the largest item - David Rome/Future Publishing
A clean setup for Trek Factory Racing, sponsored by Park Tools - David Rome/Future Publishing
Drapac Professional Cycling were the only team sponsored by new WD-40 BIKE - David Rome/Future Publishing
An Astana mechanic fiddles with the often frustrating task of internally routed electronic wires - David Rome/Future Publishing
A lone team Belkin fork sits in the stand – a big enough crash can mean an entire frame swap is needed - David Rome/Future Publishing
The Omega Pharma-Quick Step mechanic preps a bike for the next day - David Rome/Future Publishing
Team BMC had a good selection of tools available - David Rome/Future Publishing
A Trek Factory Racing mechanic prepares a rim for a new tyre - David Rome/Future Publishing
An Astana frame is pulled apart and then discarded due to crash damage - David Rome/Future Publishing
The frame mount stands used allow the mechanics to dial measurements and adjust saddles – two things that are far more difficult with tube clamp style workstands - David Rome/Future Publishing
Shoe repair is another part of the mechanic's duties - David Rome/Future Publishing
A Katusha mechanic confirms the saddle measurement. His spirit level and ruler are basic compared to some of the jigs of other teams - David Rome/Future Publishing
The Team Sky measurement jig was one of the more refined on hand - precise measurements are ciritical for performance - David Rome/Future Publishing
A Team Sky tool box - plenty of Park Tool blue - David Rome/Future Publishing
Team Sky recently signed with Muc-Off - the mechanics must adjust to these sponsorship changes just like a rider must adjust to componentry sponsor changes - David Rome/Future Publishing
More blue of Park Tool - the black wrenches are Torx keys which are becoming common on lighter components - David Rome/Future Publishing
A Team Sky mechanic told us his best trick is using two torque wrenches, one with a 4mm and the other with a 5mm Allen bit - David Rome/Future Publishing
All the teams had some form of lightweight wheel trueing stand. These are used as much for aligning a tubular tyre as they are for wheel repair - David Rome/Future Publishing
Daily cleaning is the first task for mechanics when they return from the race stage - David Rome/Future Publishing
Teams were without their usual team buses, so mini-buses were provided by the tour organisers. Climbing onto the roof of a mini-bus is far from the usual bus experience - David Rome/Future Publishing
A paintbrush is used to apply degreaser onto the chain. Thanks to daily cleaning, the chains never get filthy - David Rome/Future Publishing
All the mechanics had a device that allowed the chain to be pedalled without the rear wheel in place. This greatly speeds up cleaning and means the rear wheel doesn’t get covered in degreaser - David Rome/Future Publishing
A closer look at the tool box of Team Sky - digital pressure gauge, torque key and plenty of little gadgets - David Rome/Future Publishing
Another device for chain cleaning - this one is from Morgan Blue - David Rome/Future Publishing
Even with electronic gears and power meters, all bikes are hosed down - David Rome/Future Publishing
The mechanic bays at Tour Down Under are like little office cubicles. All mechanics work next to each other in front of the public eye - David Rome/Future Publishing
Another soft tool case for ease of transport - mechanics must be diligent to carry only crucial items - David Rome/Future Publishing
Every mechanic will have a favourite Allen key set. PB Swiss are the cream of the crop, about US$100 for a set of these Rainbow wrenches - David Rome/Future Publishing
Europcar make do with an upside-down bike to hold a recently glued rim - David Rome/Future Publishing
A Movistar mechanic replaces a chain. Mechanics replace chains regularly to prevent wear to other drive components - David Rome/Future Publishing
The most frequently used tools are kept handy in the tool box pallets - David Rome/Future Publishing
Another tool box belonging to Team BMC – this one is a little messier - David Rome/Future Publishing
Even with electronic gears, washing the bikes is a daily routine - David Rome/Future Publishing
Surplus team frames aren’t an option at the Tour Down Under. Here an Astana mechanic does a rebuild without the team-issue frame - David Rome/Future Publishing
The mechanics were responsible for keeping the cars clean too. The dusty conditions meant the sponges rarely had time to dry - David Rome/Future Publishing
A pared down wheel stand is used for applying glue to the rim. We saw this happening a fair bit as the week went on and teams ran low on spare wheels - David Rome/Future Publishing
Team Orica-GreenEdge recently signed with Finish Line as a maintenance sponsor. The mechanic was using Wet lube because it’s sure to last the distance and the chains get cleaned daily - David Rome/Future Publishing
Orica-GreenEdge had added bar tape to their workstand to reduce the chance of scratching the paint - David Rome/Future Publishing
A measuring jig for Orica-GreenEdge helps with quick and accurate seat height adjustment - David Rome/Future Publishing
Another flat tyre, another repair - David Rome/Future Publishing
Most mechanics had their own air compressor valve fittings, this simple 'presta-only' head was quick to fit - David Rome/Future Publishing
Wheels await a day on the road. The spare wheels are kept inside the car ready for lightning quick changes - David Rome/Future Publishing
Lampre-Merida rider Diego Ulissi receives some last minute cleat adjustments before going onto win the day's stage into Sterling - David Rome/Future Publishing
The second bidon cage is used to hold a trimmed bidon full of degreaser - David Rome/Future Publishing
As we saw with the Tour Down Under tech gallery I, racing in Australia holds many logistical restraints, and the mechanics tools and supplies are usually the first to suffer.
The mechanics, the hardest working guys of the WorldTour, leave their custom-setup trailers behind, service courses and huge range of spares, and instead make-do with the bare minimum for a week’s worth of racing on often brand-new equipment.
Our tech gallery II takes a look at what the mechanics brought, the little tricks they use and some of the jobs they do that go beyond ‘fixing bikes’.
