Now that the 101st Giro d’Italia is a wrap, it’s time we close our pro bike checks down with the final two teams to cover: Quickstep, with their Specialized Shiv TT bikes, and the Trek-Segafredo team with a mix of TT, aero and lightweight climbing road bikes. As is the case many times, the bikes are stock and running mostly off the shelf parts, but there’s usually one or two interesting bits on there somewhere…
We didn’t get a chance to catch the Venge or Tarmac bikes for Quickstep, only the Shiv TT bikes on the first stage in Israel.
When Specialized launched their powermeter cranks, they did so by partnering with 4iiii to create a new model specifically for their S-Works carbon cranks. That design used 4iiii’s tech, but in a unique-to-Specialized packaging unlike that brand’s own kit for the Shimano cranks.
What’s interesting is that Quickstep is using the Specialized version of the power meter on Dura-Ace cranks here.
Like the Bora-Hansgrohe team, Quickstep was running the new Roval 321 rear disc wheel prior to the official announcement.
Shimano’s latest Di2 TT bar end shifters and a K-Edge computer mount round out the package. Check out the team website here.
Trek-Segafredo Team Bikes
Trek-Segafredo had the spread of course-appropriate bikes at the ready, from their ultra lightweight Emonda SLR 9 climbing bike to the aero-optimized Madone 9.9 to the Speed Concept TT/Tri bike. All of which are available for sale in the same team colors shown here.
The Trek Factory Racing guys were running the latest Shimano Dura-Ace, too, equipped with Shimano’s own power meters.
The top level Madones use a one-piece bar/stem combo that feed all cables and wires directly into an integrated top cap that completely hides them from the wind. The fork’s crown is shaped to mirror the brakes so they don’t need a fairing over them, but directly above them are small flaps that move with the cable attachment point so that when you’re riding straight, they’re closed and most aero, only opening when needed for cornering. It’s a really interesting design worth checking out if you haven’t seen it up close.
Their Emondas use a small integrated bolt hole to attach their number plates, and the Madones get an extended rear brake port cover that includes the number plate bolt.
Bontrager’s Aelous X X X 4 and Aeolus 9 carbon tubular wheels, among others depending on the day, get Vittoria tires.
The Speed Concept bike also comes with a full complement of storage and hydration add-ons for triathlon.
Note the hand cut foam pads for the arm rests. Not all of the TT bikes had upgraded to the latest Di2 controls, and many were still running carry-over power meters, which meant older cranks, too:
Up front, the bikes had Shimano PRO’s trispoke wheel, but in the back was a (most likely) Lightweight disc wheel branded with Bontrager decals. Check out the team website here.
You can see every team’s bikes from the 2018 Giro here!
