Originally Posted by
Creakyknees
These days 599 will get you a basic alu fram and Tiagra level stuff. Wheels, depending which model, are still better than what Lemond/Fignon rode most days.
Leave out TTs, assume the bike is tuned, I bet he'd still win.
I have my doubts. (And you could substitute "Lance" for any winner.
)
Lance beat Basso by 4' 40", Ullrich by a mere 1' 01", most others by 6-7',
including time bonuses. And that's over 21 days of racing.
Even though it isn't directly cumulative, that's a very slim margin. The difference between a $600 entry-level road bike and a $4,000+ custom racing bike may be small, but I don't think it's THAT small....