Tour of CA--Prologue updates

steeplesteve · February 11, 2009, 4:40am

Spotted the Rabobank mechanics putting this baby together. They said it’s hot off the factory floor and even the riders have not gotten their hands on it. Check out the headset!
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/steeplesteve/IMG_1085.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/steeplesteve/IMG_1086.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/steeplesteve/IMG_1087.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/steeplesteve/IMG_1088.jpg

596 · February 11, 2009, 4:53am

Wow…another “integrated fairing”. : )

It appears to be 3 pieces put together under the aerobar and attached to the aerobar, to cover the front of the bike. I’d bet $50 that you can remove this peice and the aerobar still functions as an aerobar. Its an added piece to the bottom of the aerobar, to help aerodynamics = fairing.

Don’t go on about UCI approval as I’m sure it is. I still think its a fairing!

alex_m · February 11, 2009, 5:13am

me wants
.

OneGoodLeg · February 11, 2009, 4:29pm

WTF is up w/ the cable routing? That looks to be about a 4-beer install for the home wrench…

islandman · February 11, 2009, 5:39pm

It looks very much like the prototype used last year in the TdF:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/tour08/tech/probike.php?id=/tech/2008/probikes/kim_kirchen_tt_tour_08
.

rroof · February 11, 2009, 5:44pm

WTF is up w/ the cable routing? That looks to be about a 4-beer install for the home wrench…

More than that - my Cervelo Soloist Carbon is at least that …

Former_User · February 11, 2009, 5:49pm

I think everyone overlooked the coolest part of this design: integrated stem! Mmmm… The fairing is ugly. I wouldn’t want more lateral surface area on my handlebars… but, then again, I’m not paid to go fast.

sgwheelman · February 11, 2009, 6:47pm

Interesting. By making the structural fairing/stem 3 connecting pieces, it would appear to allow Giant to use the same top and bottom pieces with every size frame - only the middle piece would be sized according to the various frame sizes they have in mind. That would seem to simplify production a bit… so do they intend to take it to market???

DC_Pattie · February 11, 2009, 6:57pm

When is Giant gonna release this to the masses?

Dave in VA

OC_Ben · February 11, 2009, 7:36pm

Looks like the Dura Ace break levers are carbon, perhaps part of the 7900 gruppo?

KyleM · February 11, 2009, 9:45pm

It will be in the 2010 bike line. I don’t know as a frame, bike, module or what.

mcdoublee · February 11, 2009, 9:51pm

How long has Giant been usin’ squoval tubing?

steeplesteve · February 13, 2009, 2:47am

mcdoublee · February 13, 2009, 2:58am

 This bike in front is funny... continental tires, ritchey stem, FSA Bars, dura-ace 7800 - did they run out of parts?  Also, who is their pedal sponsor?

pito00 · February 13, 2009, 3:05am

This is pure speculation, but they give each guy on the team a training bike and a race bike, that my either be the trainer or the bike from last season. The paint job is completely off too.

When it comes to shoes and pedals the riders are pretty much allowed to wear what they prefer and then just cover up the non sponsoring logo.

StephanM · February 13, 2009, 3:12am

who’s riding the Parlee?

thanks for the pics and hopefully more to come…

alex_m · February 13, 2009, 3:14am

Their seats are too high
.

steeplesteve · February 13, 2009, 3:52am

who’s riding the Parlee?

Fly V Australia is the team.

Here is what the Ouch team is using (Landis’s team).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/steeplesteve/IMG_3468.jpg

Rokko · February 13, 2009, 4:47am

Where are the teams setting up at? (i.e. where’d you go for the photos?) I’d like to go take a look at them tomorrow.

Thanks!

PeaTearGriffin · February 13, 2009, 4:51am

nice pics! Keem 'em coming.