Garmin-Sharp’s Cervélo S5, R5 and R5ca machines lined up before the start of the 2012 Tour de FranceJames Huang/BikeRadar
David Zabriskie is one of two Garmin-Sharp riders who will use Magura’s hydraulic road rim brakesJames Huang/BikeRadar
Currently, Magura’s hydraulic road rim brakes require a mechanical-to-hydraulic converter mounted underneath the stemJames Huang/BikeRadar
Team mechanics have to feed the hydraulic line through the top tube and then reconnect and rebleed the systemJames Huang/BikeRadar
With a computer mount, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 control box, and hydraulic converted all fitted, the stem ends up being a very busy piece of real estateJames Huang/BikeRadar
David Millar’s Magura hydraulic rim brake-equipped Cervélo S5 sits in among the rest of the team bikesJames Huang/BikeRadar
Garmin-Sharp debuted Rotor’s new Flow aero time trial cranks, featuring sculpted arms, a smooth spider and outer chainring, and micro-adjustable chainring mounts to fine-tune positioning for riders opting for the elliptical Q-RingsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Rotor claims the new Flow cranks will save 22-26 seconds over a full Ironman bike legJames Huang/BikeRadar
The new Rotor Flow cranks feature much more rounded front and rear edges than the standard 3D+ version but still use similar construction methods, including three lengthwise tunnels bored into the arms to reduce weightJames Huang/BikeRadar
The new spider features a solid outer profile intended to smooth airflow but a webbed inner surface to boost rigidity. The 30mm-diameter aluminum spindle will work with BB30, PF30, BBright, BB386 Evo, and standard threaded bottom bracket shellsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Rotor’s new Aero MAS (Micro Adjust Spider) system features two sets of chainring mounting holes offset by just enough to allow half-step adjustments in chainring rotations. Rotor says amateur riders probably aren’t that fine-tuned to Q-Ring positioning but it was a direct request from the company’s professional ridersJames Huang/BikeRadar
Garmin-Sharp riders will use the new Rotor Flow aero cranks during this year’s Tour de FranceJames Huang/BikeRadar
This Garmin-Sharp Cervélo P5 has basic rubber grips installed on the base barsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Garmin-Sharp team time trial bikes feature modified Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifter pods that are glued on to the Magura hydraulic brake leversJames Huang/BikeRadar
Garmin-Sharp’s new 3T Integra LTD carbon stem features an interchangeable forward shroud. In this configuration, there’s a built-in mount for Garmin’s latest Edge computersJames Huang/BikeRadar
David Zabriskie donned a new Giro Air Attack helmet for his training ride on FridayJames Huang/BikeRadar
Garmin-Sharp team mechanic Alex Banyay applies one of three layers of bar tape on David Millar’s Cervélo S5James Huang/BikeRadar
Cable routing on Johan Vansummeren’s Cervélo P4 looks a bit untidy but it’s all neatly taped out in terms of keeping the lines out of the windJames Huang/BikeRadar
Always at the cutting edge with gear, the Garmin-Sharp riders at this year’s Tour de France have their choice from a slew of bikes from team sponsor Cervélo, including the P5 and P4 time trial bikes, the S5 aero road bike, and the ultralight R5 and R5ca.
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The team is also debuting several new products at the 2012 Tour: hydraulic rim brakes from Magura, Rotor’s aero time trial cranks, Giro’s intriguing Air Attack helmet and 3T’s sleek Integra stem.
Garmin-Sharp has already been using Magura’s new RT8TT hydraulic rim brakes on its Cervélo P5 time trial machines but David Zabriskie and David Millar also now have them mounted on their Cervélo S5 aero road bikes, too. The requisite mechanical-to-hydraulic converters add some weight, bulk and complexity, but Millar’s bike is still just over 7kg, according to team mechanics (we weren’t permitted to weigh bikes ourselves).
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More importantly, the hydraulic system lends a more positive – albeit substantially stiffer – feel at the lever and better responsiveness under really hard braking. From a mechanic’s perspective, the fully sealed system should require less maintenance, too.
Showing up on the riders’ time trial bikes are Rotor’s new Flow cranks, designed with input from team sports scientist Robby Ketchell to decrease aerodynamic drag. Key features include more rounded edges on the crankarms, a solid and dished ‘Aero MAS’ chainring spider, and a matching solid outer chainring. The aerodynamic benefits are pretty nominal but Rotor still claims the Flow will save 22-26 seconds over a full Ironman leg (112 miles).
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Rotor also gave the Aero MAS dual chainring mounting holes that allow riders to more finely tune the position of their elliptical Q-Rings, effectively decreasing the minimum adjustment by half. Rotor admitted to BikeRadarthat most amateurs aren’t likely to feel that small of a difference themselves, but it’s likely the feature will find its way to production nevertheless.
Claimed weight is 562g without chainrings but with Rotor’s 30mm-diameter 3D+ system that will work with BB30, PF30, BBright, BB386 and standard threaded bottom bracket shells.
We also spotted several of 3T’s new Integra carbon stem on team bikes. This stem features a Garmin quarter-turn mount built into its forward shroud. This makes for a clean and neat appearance but puts the computer’s display closer to the rider’s natural line of sight, too.
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Finally, it looks like Dave Zabriskie and David Millar will also ride at least some parts of this year’s Tour de France on the new Giro Air Attack aero road helmet. It’s a touch odd looking for sure (even Millar thinks so) but if Giro’s aero claims are legitimate, the riders might just get over it.
David zabriskie donned a new giro air attack helmet for his training ride on friday:James Huang/BikeRadar