TdF Bikes - Any Serottas?

[BumpyintheBurgh]

We all know that Lance rides a Trek but what are some on the other cyclist riding?
Any Serottas in the Tour?
Other American manufacturers?
Does everyone on a team ride the same model?
Who decides what bikes are chosen for the Tour?
Can an individual rider choose his own frame?
How much rebadging of frames for sponsors?
What percentage are carbon, Ti, aluminum, steel?
What happens to all these bikes after the Tour?

[pjm]

Carbon is king. :)

[victoryfactory]

Any Serottas in the Tour?
No
Other American manufacturers?
Yes, Cannondale etc
Does everyone on a team ride the same model?
Some sponsors provide a couple of choices to the riders.
Who decides what bikes are chosen for the Tour?
The sponsor and the team make a choice
Can an individual rider choose his own frame?
Yes, within the sponsor's product line, and the bike sponsor is agreeable
How much rebadging of frames for sponsors?
Very little in this day and age, Sponsors prefer the riders to use
their own equipment. Lance, at the start of his TDF winning streak used
a Litespeed TT bike, but Trek stepped up and made him a better one.
What percentage are carbon, Ti, aluminum, steel?
Most teams ride carbon or aluminum/carbon hybrid. Steel and Ti
Very rarely. (VERY)
What happens to all these bikes after the Tour?
uh I don't know, ask the Jerk

VF

[97CSI]

Trek used to auction off their Postal team bikes after the tour over the late fall and winter. Did so on their Trek team website. They were auctioned by rider (Hincapie, Beltran, etc.). That was true up throught the '03 TdF, but I don't know if they did so for '04 or will for '05.

[Dekonick]

Some go to sponsors. I know Interwoven has one of LA's bikes hanging in their CA office. They were a small time sponsor, just visible on the sleeve on the USPS kit.

[RichMc]

Does Specialized count as an American manufacturer?