Ok, we all know that the pros generally ride bikes given by sponsors. But what do they ride (in private) when they have their choice? I guess I am just curious what bikes the best cyclists gravitate towards. Are there any top contenders brandwise?
I’ll bet it’s as variable as the rest of us.
Also don’t assume that all pros are bike savy. I’m sure there are some that know bikes inside out and are as fussy in detail as is Lance, but I’ll bet there are lots of other pros who don’t know anything about bikes except how to ride them fast.
I would say most ride whatever they can get their hands on cheaply. I remember reading a story about Indurian going into a shop to buy a bike after he retired. He was astounded to find out how much they cost. Then you have a man like Zabel who has an entire house devoted as a museum to his bikes, he keeps every one he wins on.
I’ll bet they ride what is in their garage.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of tri-pros that actually pay for their bikes–probably not your guys on the podium, but many that are just shy of it. Companies like Cervelo have even bragged in ads that some pros pay for their bikes because that’s what they want to ride. Last season I would have said I thought Cervelo was taking over with the pros, but with guys like Simon Lessing signing on with Javelin, I’m starting to have my doubts. He’s just one guy, but what a triathlete!
I would say most ride whatever they can get their hands on cheaply. I remember reading a story about Indurian going into a shop to buy a bike after he retired. He was astounded to find out how much they cost. Then you have a man like Zabel who has an entire house devoted as a museum to his bikes, he keeps every one he wins on.
I seem to recall Indurain being offerred the chance to buy his bike(s) after his last Tour (class move, Banesto!) and him being shocked at how expensive they were. Then again, we’re talking about the guy who started bike racing for the sandwich they gave the finishers. 
Get the F$%^ out of here! (said in a nice way) He was made to pay for it if he wanted it. I would have shoved those 700c wheels up their ass if I was at his caliber and they said that to me. Then I would have asked how much the bike is without the wheels
Too true. I heard stories about Mayo basically just being given a bike to ride and he rides what he’s given. Then you have Zabel on the other hand who is renowned to be very obsessive about equipment selection and set up.
I remember reading that Indurain, upon retiring, bought a cannondale.
I’d put it at about 75% of pros want Ernesto to build them a C40/50.
-SD
Hard to say, because unlike professional cyclists, their is a full range of “professional” triathletes. What I mean by that is that in triathlon we have a very few at the top who can pretty much get what they want for no charge, but then everyone else has this cascading arrangment of loaners, pro-deals or out-right retail purchases.
Fleck
That used to be the “Bridgestone RB-1”…many many pros (15 years ago) trained on that bike. LeMond and many others would be seen out on the RB-1 getting their spring base in. Then it went to Litespeed/Look - when a pro gets to pick, I would say that more Litespeeds and Looks have been “wolves in sheeps clothing” than any other bike out there (obviously the “Huffy” Yamagucci is popular too). Even last year watching the TdF I saw MANY Litespeeds that for some reason did not say Litespeed anywhere on the bike, same true for Look as the shaping of their carbon is not to hard to spot. Lance for years raced TT on the popular TREKspeed Blade…we all know that bike was not a Trek, we all know it came from LA Sheriff days, and I bet he still has and prefers that bike over the Trek (but cant say that under contract of course).
But at the end of the day, take it from me…a pro will ride the best bike out there…and the best bike is any bike that is FREE.