The 2017 Tour Down Under is about to get underway and with the teams still arriving, mechanics are frantically prepping bikes for the race. We have been wandering the pits for the past day and have spotted a few interesting bits of tech.
- SRM reveals ridiculously light power meter for 2017
- Sagan testing a Specialized Venge ViAS Disc bike before Tour Down Under
Peter Sagan's Venge ViAS Disc
Since arriving in Australia, Peter Sagan has been spotted test riding a custom Venge ViAS Disc. We weren’t able to confirm whether or not he’ll be lining up at any stages in Adelaide aboard the disc roadie, but we did see him ride it on today’s Bora-Hansgrohe team training ride.
It’s not a lightweight at 8.46kg by our scales, but even his Venge ViAS with standard calliper brakes weighs 8.01kg.
All the cables are hidden inside the frame and the flat mount disc brakes utilise a 160mm rotor at the front and a 140mm rotor at the rear.
With all the hustle and bustle in the pits, everyone stopped and stared when the Bora-Hansgrohe mechanics began glueing a tire on this Gold Roval rim. With no apparent brake track and a centre lock hub, we'd guess these wheels are for Sagan's Venge ViAS Disc, but the mechanics could not confirm whether or not Sagan, or any of the other Bora-Hansgrohe riders would be racing on them.
Revo Via chain performance system
A while back Orica-Scott announced its riders would be lubing as they ride with the Revo Via chain performance system.
The system is powered by two LR1 batteries and periodically sends lubricant from a frame mounted reservoir to a component that mounts to the lower jockey wheel of the drivetrain, all in an effort to keep efficiency at its max.
The system was only present on Luke Durbridge and Daryl Impey's frames, but the mechanics were still building bikes.
Bahrain Merida’s SRM power meters
While Bahrain Merida’s Scultura and Recato frames are not new for 2017, its SRM power meters are.
The spindle mounted power meters feature carbon cranks that are claimed to weigh 99g per arm and Dura Ace 9000 chainrings. SRM says they are producing the cranks, but they look suspiciously like THM cranks — the two brands have collaborated previously.
Sky's Pinarello F10
Shortly after Pinarello announced its new F10, the bike was at the centre of a patent controversy. Just hours after the news of the bike went live, Taiwan's Velocite claimed the Italian brand infringed on its patents by using concave downtube on the new bike.
It all kicked off back in May of 2016 when Pinarello used a concave downtube on its Bolide TT bike and now Velocite says Pinarello has again used its patented design without permission.
Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
Noticeably absent from the majority of team bikes is Shimano’s Dura-Ace 9100 groupset. So far we have only seen the new components on Sky’s Pinarello F10s as well as the front brake on Yukiya Arashiro's Merida Reacto, where he snagged a DA 9100 front brake.
And more...
Check out the gallery above for other new, interesting and amusing bits of gear we have spotted so far — and be sure to check back for more.