Professional Cycling - Lances TDF bike

I noticed as i was watching the alpe d' huez time trial that lances bike was different. Lances bike had one regular road brake lever/shifter (you probably know what im talking about). Then he had a basic brake lever with the shifter on his down tube. Why is that? There had to be some logical reason for trek to do that.

He used a down tube friction shifter. It is the best way to shift the front technically. You dont have to worry about trim clicks or anything like that. You can get the front derailuer to the exact spot you want it and take advatange of your entire rear cassette with much less problem. It also saves weight. Marco Pantanni did it a few years ago I know for all mountain stages.

hi thanks for responding,

what do you mean by trim clicks?

On a double you can would get conflict between your derailur and chain when you are in big big or little little. Trim clicks allow for intermidate movement and therefore eliminate this. With a friction shifter you can center the derailur around the chain for wherever you are.

thanks alot

It's also a weight issue for Lance. He's fanatical about counting grams.

wouldnt you be into counting grams if you had all that money at your disposal? and I know that when it comes time for me to get up L'Alpe D'Huez or Mont Ventoux I will be taking as little as possible with me

Actually, I'm not sure there's a logical explanation for his downtube shifter. It is exceedingly easy for these guys to build that bike to the UCI legal limit without having to ditch one of the STI levers. Furthermore, if his mechanic were unable to adjust the front STI lever to avoid chain rub, then he likely would be fired.

I have no explanation.

-mark

There was a giant thread on this before.

Bottom line is Lance has his bike(s) setup the way he wants and prefers, and there may be other things about his setup that others don't generally employ, like round section handlebars instead of ergonomic bends, or a certain saddle or pedals he likes. Any sport with equipment allows each athlete an individual approach, as long as it goes along with the rules.
Just one of the ways the sport and the participants are unique.

ok

I told him to do it. Sometimes he just needs a little guidance.

ok

Lance is one if the last of a generation that used downtube shifters when he first started riding. That setup may work for him better then an STI shifter.

I know someone completely told me already

I think I heard that Lance prefers it this way...

:D

55/Rad

He used dual STI in 1991 when it came out, he started using the downtube leftie only once he became a tour contender. Back then the bikes weren't at the limit.

I've got info from his Mechanic saying its for weight, as well as a personal email from Frankie Andreu just on this subject, for this forum, also saying its weight. geneman is right, its not for ease of trimming, the sti works just fine for that. If you are already at the weight limit and can save few ounces on the left shifter, you can put that weight to work somewhere else, stiffening the frame, strengthing the hubs etc... Remember, these bikes are engineered as a system, not just a frame, some wheels, components, and then stick it on a scale and cross your fingers... Its all meticulously designed. Vintage Steve will disagree, however.... he is vintage.

He used dual STI in 1991 when it came out, he started using the downtube leftie only once he became a tour contender. Back then the bikes weren't at the limit.

... Vintage Steve will disagree, however.... he is vintage.


:rolleyes:
I agree.
And I am vintage. After consulting with my wife, I've decided to let it stand. :o
I guess I prefer my "battles" on the road. Much more diplomatic (and conclusive). ;)

It's the Shimano stuff they ride...HEH no offense. But really my Campy is easy to do shim clicks with but NOT Shimano on the front rings. One click and you're there whever you are there you stay!
John

He used dual STI in 1991 when it came out, he started using the downtube leftie only once he became a tour contender. Back then the bikes weren't at the limit.

I've got info from his Mechanic saying its for weight, as well as a personal email from Frankie Andreu just on this subject, for this forum, also saying its weight. geneman is right, its not for ease of trimming, the sti works just fine for that. If you are already at the weight limit and can save few ounces on the left shifter, you can put that weight to work somewhere else, stiffening the frame, strengthing the hubs etc... Remember, these bikes are engineered as a system, not just a frame, some wheels, components, and then stick it on a scale and cross your fingers... Its all meticulously designed. Vintage Steve will disagree, however.... he is vintage.

I still don't buy it. It doesn't save much weight at all (210g for STI shifter vs 40g for down tube and 130g for brake lever for an amazing savings of 40g + watever trivial amount is saved from the housing). How about taking off that 50g bottle cage and using the 24g bontrager one. Not to mention, the bike was already too light and had to have lead tape or something added. Believe Frankie if you want, but I don't see any logic in claming it's for weight.