RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will find themselves aboard these understated Trek Madone 6.9 SSLs for the 2012 seasonDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
The RadioShack-Nissan-Trek team will roll on Bontrager wheels for 2012Daniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Last year’s Leopard Trek team colors now get an additional swatch of red for 2012Daniel Benson/Cyclingnews
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmissions for 2012Daniel Benson/Cyclingnews
The white stripe emphasizes the Madone’s flowing linesDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
It’s a good thing the team don’t have any more title sponsors – they’re running out of space on the top tubeDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Trek’s no-cut approach to integrated seatmasts relies on interchangeable caps instead of hacksawsDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Carryover RadioShack riders will find themselves on a much quieter looking bike for 2012Daniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Trek continue to use their unique BB90 bottom bracket system on the Madone 6.9 SSL with bearings that press directly into the carbon shellDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Trek’s dual mechanical/electronic-compatible internal routing scheme is one of the cleanest out thereDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) will again use an alloy Bontrager handlebar this seasonDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Neat internal routing for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission looks clean and also protects the wiring from damageDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group got a slow start in the pro peloton but has now almost completely supplanted the mechanical version at the top level of the sportDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Shimano Dura-Ace dual-pivot calipers are fitted with Bontrager carbon-specific cork padsDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Just as in years past, Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) runs his -17° stem slammed atop the headsetDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Bontrager’s new wheels feature DT Swiss hub gutsDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) prefers Bontrager’s Team Issue saddle model, based on an older model that was resurrected just for the team and then later offered to the publicDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Trek’s BAT cage is one of the company’s least expensive models but it’s light and holds bottles tightlyDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
Trek Bicycle Corporation sponsored both Leopard Trek and RadioShack-Nissan last year so it was no surprise when the two teams merged during the off-season to learn that the Wisconsin company would carry on in that role for 2012.
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Returning Leopard Trek riders shouldn’t have to make any adjustments, as aside from cosmetics, virtually every piece of equipment is carried over from the 2011 season. Anchoring the entire package is Trek’s top-end Madone 6.9 SSL frame, dressed in a complete Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group.
Team bikes also feature a wide array of components from the company’s parts and accessories arm, Bontrager, including the new Aeolus wide-profile carbon tubular wheels, handlebars, stems, saddles, and even bar tape. Bontrager also supply the computers, with DuoTrap integrated cadence and speed sensors.
Finishing bits include Schwalbe tires, Cane Creek headsets and Trek BAT bottle cages. The latter is a curious choice in terms of cost – it’s one of Trek’s least expensive options – but one that makes more sense when you consider the reasonable weight and very secure grip.
Team leader Andy Schleck’s bike looks to be largely unchanged from when we profiled it during last year’s Tour de France in terms of both the build and positioning. We didn’t have a chance to put team bikes on the scales during the 2012 media presentation but we expect weight to be just barely UCI-legal at around 6.86kg.
As before, Trek will offer team replica bikes to the public via their Project One program. Suggested retail price (sans pedals) is US$11,686.48. Check out our image gallery for lots more photos of the team Madones.
Trek continue to use their unique bb90 bottom bracket system on the madone 6.9 ssl with bearings that press directly into the carbon shell: trek continue to use their unique bb90 bottom bracket system on the madone 6.9 ssl with bearings that press directly into the carbon shellDaniel Benson/Cyclingnews
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Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group got a slow start in the pro peloton but has now almost completely supplanted the mechanical version at the top levels of the sport
