Road Bike Racing - Postal's Stock Bikes

Why is US Postal the only team to ride on stock bikes ... well @ least stock frames? Given their success, one could argue that there is no real need for custom frames in the peleton.

Thoughts?

Doing a custom OCLV frame would be prohibitively expensive even for USPS and especially for each person on the team. I imagine they ride some prototype rigs though that were one-off layups but to give each a custom bike in a variety of bikes would necessitate a lot of tooling overhead for a small number of copies and would probably kill their budget. I think they've discovered it's easier, flexible and more cost-effective to invest their money in the powerplant rather than the spaceframe. :D

They are not the only team riding stock these days. Team CSC rides stock Cervelos here in the states...Not sure about Tyler Hamilton though...I would say most "custom" race frames are custom so the sizing is correct versus the need to be on special tubing or special materials.

Originally posted by OnTour
I would say most "custom" race frames are custom so the sizing is correct versus the need to be on special tubing or special materials.

Right. So how does Postal compete on factory frames that are not fit for each rider? Moreover, given their success, does this not nullify the need for custom frames for all racers? Obviously, it's been proven that teams can be competitive @ the highest level on a stock frame. So why customize?

I would assume that their sizing adjustments are made through their accesories (ie. stem, seat post, crank length, etc.) with a custom frame these adjustments can be made through the geometry of the frame and the custom rider can go with more ideal accesories (ie. shorter stem for a tall guy). I agree with you that the Postal situation blurs the line, however the Postal bikes are not "off the line" as they say. The other thing is we are comparing apples to oranges in terms of frame materials. Whereas the carbon fiber frame is a high quality material for Trek on every OCLV bike they produce the same can not be stated for every steel or aluminum stock frame that rolls off the line. So in the case of the steel/aluminum custom, they can produce a frame with perfect custom geometry, great tubing, all at a modest cost. With carbon fiber and specifically in Trek's case they are not set up to turn out a large number of custom carbon fiber frames for low cost. There are some carbon manufacturers, like Parlee (www.parleecycles.com) who produce custom carbon fiber frames for Tour level riders on an individual basis, but they are neither cost effective nor all together necessary. Parlee even builds blank frames and other Carbon companies put their name on it. So when you see a "Look" carbon bike, it isn't necessarily what it appears to be.
There is quite a lot to say for custom builds, especially for people who don't fit into the average build. Longer/ shorter legs, longer/shorter arms, torso length, you name it. Also, if you 've riden a frame that's been hand built, there is a difference in ride quality.
Final point: It could be that all the riders on postal have no need for special fit requirements, it could be that simple.

Very interesting stuff, OnTour!

I guess it's beginning to make more sense to me now. Of course, I'm sure that Trek likes to advertise the fact that their pros are riding on "stock" bikes also.

i think there are some who would argue (perhaps myself included) that the trek carbon bikes ARE custom, in that the frame was basically built for lance and they made that their production model. ok, maybe that's a little too inclusive a statement, but my understanding on the birth of the 5900 is that lance wanted a light bike that was still as all get out in the bottom bracket to cater to his standing/spinning climbing style. voila, the 5900 is born. and call me a sucker for marketing, but it says something to me that i can go into a store and buy the exact same frame lance wins on.

that being said, i think the main point for me re: custom bikes is that the VAST majority of us really don't need it. i would think most riders, even serious riders, can get by with a stock frame, and then "customize" it with components. there's really no angle/measurement on a bike, besides wheelbase and standover that can't be altered with components.