2018 TdF equipment overview

[rnhood]

Specialized and Shimano were the big winners at the Tour, and SRAM the big loser. Not really surprising.

Specialized and Shimano both have their act together, in the same way Team Sky does.

[Bostic]

Anyone know which classic shape bars these are on the front?

[jemoryl]

That article was a bit over the top about Ceramicspeed. Does anyone think that any of the the TdF results would have been different if these guys were using plain old steel bearings? Overpriced snake oil, IMHO.

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by Bostic

Anyone know which classic shape bars these are on the front?

Probably a PRO Vibe Round.

[benadrian]

I definitely like the look of a modern race bike. However, I also like working on my own bikes. When I was shopping for a "new" bike recently (to get a little more road oriented than my Specialized Roubaix), I was excited to see how much prices had gone down for 4-5 year old bikes that had rim brakes and external cable routing.

Seeing the hyper-aero trend which is exploding made me re-evaluate what I like. Turns out it's the smoothness of modern components on a traditional but non-aero road frame.

The TdF does always have some super nice, custom colors on the bikes.

[rnhood]

There is quite a bit of snake oil in cycling, especially when lots of choices are made by what is fashionable.

Thomas would have won the Tour on box rim wheels, and a 9-speed drive train. Reliability and comfort have value, which is where Shimano does very well, but most of the other things advertised focus more on fashion than realized performance - that is the performance measured on the bike, not in some lab environment. Ceramic bearings is a great example of poor value.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by paredown

I liked the look of Sylvan Chavanel's Wilier--although it would take some doing for me to seriously consider buying one....

For fun I was looking at the Wilier page--that fancy paint is not cheap:

The Cento10PRO Ramato and Cromovelato blue finishes are available on all of the standard models in the catalogue. The final cost for a bike with the special finishes is the price of the selected standard model plus € 1500

Yikes!

https://www.wilier.com/en/cento10pro...o?origin=world

[ravdg316]

Can somebody explain the combo 9100/9150 some stage winners seem to have? Seems intriguing

[beeatnik]

Originally Posted by ravdg316

Can somebody explain the combo 9100/9150 some stage winners seem to have? Seems intriguing

Did you mean 9000 cranks?

All Shimano sponsored teams rode DI2 either 9150 or 9170 (disc). However, on Stage 9 (cobbled, Roubaix), some riders chose 9100 to prevent impact triggered shifting. The Shimano sponsored teams which used their wheels were on 9100 series wheels (the current designation).

[colbyh]

Originally Posted by beeatnik

Did you mean 9000 cranks?

I think so - Bora was using 9000 cranks for the TT at least

[beeatnik]

ya, 9000 for chainring options.

[oldpotatoe]

I think so - Bora was using 9000 cranks for the TT at least

Originally Posted by beeatnik

ya, 9000 for chainring options.

Ya mean 9100 rings don't fit onto 9000 cranks and vice versa?? Well of corse not..->>

[Matthew]

I like that Argon. Still actually looks like a bike. Sweet color too.

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Ya mean 9100 rings don't fit onto 9000 cranks and vice versa?? Well of corse not..->>

I can't fathom why this is such a sticking point. Whether or not they fit, it would look terrible.

[John H.]

I agree with much that has been written in this thread-

I feel like my own bike desires, tastes and usage no longer mirror that of a pro bike racer.

I also think that road bikes should come with the ability to fit 32mm tires- even if they are a rim brake pro tour level bike. I mean "Why not?"

Lastly (and I have said this before)- "In 2018 we get to ride better bikes than what a pro tour racer gets to ride".
We can pick material, fit, components, wheels, color, brakes...