Professional Cycling - Something lacking in the play-by-play commentary

Why is this?

I noticed the boys hardly ever talk about the types of bikes the riders are on.

I mean, if this was auto racing it's a big deal about what kind of engine/car is being used.

Why not more talk about a Giant vs. a Colnago.....or whatever?

I don't think bikes are a huge factor in the riders performance. Gian, Colnago, doesn't really matter.

I'd prefer some of this commentary, as opposed to some of the other babble that goes on.

I'd prefer some of this commentary, as opposed to some of the other babble that goes on.

Yeah, me too.
That's what I am talking about. I'd like to hear a little more tech stuff from those guys about the equipment the riders are using.

Yeah, me too.
That's what I am talking about. I'd like to hear a little more tech stuff from those guys about the equipment the riders are using.

they did talk about how that one dude (i think it was a CSC rider) was using an o-symetrical chainring.

and they have talked about lances bike so much it makes me wanna puke, ill admit that TT bike is impressive but his road bike isnt any better then what everyone else is riding.

FWIW, Phil doesn't strike me as much of a techie, and Paul only just a small bit.

[Major sarcasm] And besides, isn't that why they brought Trautwig on board?[/]

I'm not sure why they brought Trautwig on board!

Paul--"He's all over his machine now."

I mean that's great, but can't we get a little more meat on the bones every once in a while?

Meh, I, for one, don't really care about the equipment. The only time it would make much of a difference is in the TT and in any case at that point it's a very scientific academic discussion (IMO maybe a featurette as a break but for in-line commentary? nah).

Honestly, if the the main road bikes were really different from one team to the next, don't you think we *would* hear about it? Thus, my conclusion, as alluded to above, is that there is practically no difference.

It's not about the bike....

It's not about the bike....
Then why are we all so obsessed about them?

Then why are we all so obsessed about them?


Much the same reasons people are obsessed with a cage made by Ford, Chevy, or any other cage co. They have brand loyalty, and gives people something to talk about. (i.e. I have a cannondale, so I was obbsessed with the guy who was in the break on a cannondale in stage 5. )There's no real difference for the commuter (not just bikes, cages too), but people still go crazy about them.

They probably aren't going to spend a lot of timing talking about other bikes when one of their main sponsors is Trek. Trek probably wouldn't appreciate Paul and Phil spending lots of time extolling the virtures of other manufacturers.

Then why are we all so obsessed about them?

We arent, but you might be !!

And then there are the riders who have custom bikes repainted and badged to match the team rides.

It's not about the bike....
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Giant OCR1(specialized carbon seatpost,Terry Fly sadle, PowertapPro)
Leader TT frame, Easton EC70 fork, PD Aerolite bars, Titan Wheelset, Terry Tri Fly Saddle. PTP



Er...exactly :)

Maybe once OLN starts getting $$$ from bike makers then they will be mentioned on the teevee just like NASCAR ;)

Then why are we all so obsessed about them?


We're not. Just the racing.

overall, am disappointed not to be learning more about the bikes, the tactics, the strategy, team dynamics, the history, etc. ... would like to see and hear more about the behind the scenes goings on and the operation of the tour....

I agree that the bikes don't really make much of a difference on that level. They do spend more time talking about the bikes in TT coverage, though.

I like how they show the HR information every once in a while, and that's a step in the right direction. I wish they would give us more info every once in a while like cadence and what gear is being used. I love it when the cameras zoom in and you can see what gear the guy is turning...That's always an amazing and humbling experience.

They seem to talk more about the bikes on cycling.tv. Maybe OLN doesn't want to turn off casual viewers by being too technical.

I don't get why everyone talks about cars in auto racing. I mean I will never be able to buy a car anything like that and it is not really a ford. Sort of like the Giant bikes in the tour. I mean Nascar does nto take about the chasis and tranmission all that much which is all a bike is. And the transmission is either Campy or Shimano which you can tell from the front view of a bike due to cabling differences. But then again I might watch too much bike racing to figure all this out. Wait there is no such thing as to much.

They seem to talk more about the bikes on cycling.tv. Maybe OLN doesn't want to turn off casual viewers by being too technical.


Yeah...too much tech talk will confuse Joe Average watching at home.

you guys forget how much trek is up in the advertising and such with OLN, aside from the bikes the guys are riding not making any real difference, they are probobly proffesionally obligated to not talk about the other bikes too much.

Why is this?

I noticed the boys hardly ever talk about the types of bikes the riders are on.

I mean, if this was auto racing it's a big deal about what kind of engine/car is being used.

Why not more talk about a Giant vs. a Colnago.....or whatever?

In NASCAR there are just three, and these three have been argued over for years by the good0ole0boys. More importantly, they put money into the sport and into advertising BIG TIME.