From the photos on cyclingnews and from watching the TT today it is obvious that Gerolsteiner isn't riding Specilized TT frames (the new Transition) despite the frames being branded as Specialized. See photos of Schumacher http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tour08/index.php?id=/photos/2008/tour08/tour0820/bettiniphoto_0029609_1_full and Kohl http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tour08/index.php?id=/photos/2008/tour08/tour0820/bettiniphoto_0029603_1_full

Anyone have a good explanation on why Gerolsteiner would pass on the slippery new Transition or why Specialized would let them be seen on bikes that clearly aren't theirs?

Transition is a full Tri bike. The Quick Step & Gerolsteiner bikes are from Specialized:
http://www.protournews.com/news/article/mps/uan/193

Interesting catch. Don't know what frames those are -- reminds me of Boonen's Roubaix that he used to win the Paris-Roubaix on. As a Roubaix owner, his bike looked like it was some weird tarmac/roubaix type hybrid.

Looking at MacMan's post, I guess it's the same deal. Specialized provided customized frames for their teams.

There's already a thread on this. Many of the Gerolsteiner riders are on rebadged Walser frames. Andy Walser is recognised as building some of, if not the best, most aero TT frames around.

Re-badged Walser, yes. As I understand it, this is actually pretty typical in ProTour TTs. Some riders have even used a Cervelo P3 and repainted it with their own bike sponsor's colors and logos.

There's already a thread on this. Many of the Gerolsteiner riders are on rebadged Walser frames. Andy Walser is recognised as building some of, if not the best, most aero TT frames around.

I think they are using the old T-Mobile TT frames. The ones from 2006 when they had the 50 watt electric motors in them.

I had suspicions then that some of the T-Mobile riders were juicing, and time has shown that a few of them were. The Gerolsteiner boys were all way over their previous efforts in this year's Tour. It has gotten my attention - for the almost nothing that counts for.

I think they are using the old T-Mobile TT frames.

No.

There's already a thread on this. Many of the Gerolsteiner riders are on rebadged Walser frames. Andy Walser is recognised as building some of, if not the best, most aero TT frames around.

Yes. Sorry I completely missed this post... Walser :)

Specialized does indeed use Andy Walser's spectacular stuff.

Many riders have specific gear preferences and just rebadge it to match theirs sponsors.

Gerolsteiner's mechanic makes the TT frames from scratch cf. Watch this (http://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/2008/07/gerolsteiner-pro-is-program-go.html) video and they show the mechaninc making them.

No.

No kidding. You stopped reading my post a sentence too soon.

Many riders have specific gear preferences and just rebadge it to match theirs sponsors.

Yep, happens all the time.

Interesting catch. Don't know what frames those are -- reminds me of Boonen's Roubaix that he used to win the Paris-Roubaix on. As a Roubaix owner, his bike looked like it was some weird tarmac/roubaix type hybrid.

It's the 2009 Roubaix SL2 if I'm not mistaken. Supposed to be a schweet rig. Comfy, light and stiff as all hell at the BB

It's the 2009 Roubaix SL2 if I'm not mistaken. Supposed to be a schweet rig. Comfy, light and stiff as all hell at the BB

Looking forward to some gratuitous pics soon.