[reply]I think Trek's add DO say stock FRAMES. That's what Trek builds, they aren't the ones to determine what rims, hubs, pedals or handlebar tape the team chooses to ride?
And also, why would anyone take serious issue with Trek saying USPS rides stock frames, when most do, but they accomodate a rider or two that simply do not fit the mold sizewise for a particular model. It's not like they are saying that, but then going out and building some superior frame for the best rider. They are saying it, but making an exception for a domestique who is larger than what fits their carbon frame.[/reply]
I don't know if it's a big deal or not, but I'll tell you why I think it's dishonest in a way that Trek doesn't need. For example on their website at http://www.trekbikes.com/tour_de_france/ where it says "The only stock production bikes in the Tour."
1) So the BIKES part is not true, not even close, as you indicate yourself.
2) Trek does determine to a large extend what the team rides (they own Bontrager for example), but more importantly, they determine 100% of what Trek sells. so if they want to claim the team to ride stock bikes, they don't have to change what the team rides, they can put Deda stems and bars on their high-end bikes instead of Bontrager. They don't, because Bontrager is much cheaper for them since it's in-house, but to me that means you can't say stock bikes when you willingly spec non-team parts while you have the opportunity to go out and buy Deda parts for it.
3) the ONLY part in their statement isn't true, there are several other stock bikes in the Tour, and some teams ride exclusively on stock bikes.
4) You indicate that some are just modifications, not better bikes for the team leader that the average person can't get, but that is exactly what Lance's TT bike is. A frame that the average person can't get. Last year you could at least get something that was fairly close to it, but this year you can't.
Trek is a great company that makes great bikes, but I think it is below their status to infer other teams don't ride stock products when in fact they are much closer to do that than USPS is.
Gerard Vroomen
3T.bike OPEN cycle