Like Movistar, Team Katusha rode Canyon’s Aeroad and Ultimate CF SLX road bikes throughout the tour, with teammate Joaquim Rodriguez piloting one to a Polka Dot Jersey for a few days toward the end of the race (but unfortunately couldn’t quite hang onto it for the overall).
Their bikes were fitted with Mavic wheels, Shimano drivetrains, some very cute water bottles and one heckuva custom Selle Italia saddle…
Even standing still, the Aeroad CF SLX bikes look fast. The one-piece bar stem that comes with the bikes makes some heavy drag saving claims, but it’s the little lines and details that pull the package together visually and aerodynamically.
A slightly raised headtube sends air around the base of the stem, and the lines leading cables into the frame allow for smoother entry.
Russian nesting dolls on the bottles were a nice touch, totally want one of these. Note the marks on the cap, indicating whether the bottles had water or sports drink in them.
Alexander Kristoff got this special metallic tan paint scheme, though the team guys standing around the car couldn’t say if there was any specific reason. We’re thinking it could be because he won bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Rodriguez had this custom white, red and blue bike, possibly to celebrate his being a three-time UCI World Tour winner.
He also had this sweet saddle.
Their Speedmax TT bikes were less decorated but still looked quick.
IAM CYCLING – SCOTT SPORTS
Swiss team IAM Cycling rode fellow Swiss brand Scott’s FOIL, Addict and Plasma bikes, decked out with Ritchey components, DT Swiss wheels, Prologo saddles, Schwalbe tires and Shimano drivetrains.
Sylvain Chavanel’s 2016 FOIL was getting the finishing touches put on in the pits while the riders warmed up for Stage One’s individual time trial. The wheels could be a new set coming from DT Swiss. The rims have the labeling of the current RC55 tubulars, but the Spline marking normally refers to their splined hubs. These, however, have the Dicut hubs of their higher end RRC wheels, which are a bit lighter and more aerodynamic. They also opted for regular quick release skewers rather than DT’s very secure RWS thru-skewers that take a bit more time to remove and install.
The team didn’t get the single-piece Syncros aero bar/stem unit that comes on high end consumer bikes, but they did manage to fit the trailing edge fairing onto the back of the Ritchey stem.
A custom (and very hand made from the looks of it…click to enlarge) carbon fiber seat mast port cover included the race number plate holder.
On the Plasma TT bikes, they were running RRC 65 Dicut T (for 65mm deep tubular) front wheels with a mix of rear disc wheels. All were labeled DT Swiss, but there were some distinct differences between bikes.
On the left is the original, which no longer appears to be offered. On the right, with the massive red and white stickers hiding most of the layup, is the all-new RRC 2.0 Disc Dicut T wheel that blends their Dicut hub design with a carbon wheel structure from Lightweight. Look closely (click to enlarge) and you’ll see strips of carbon laced together over the UD base sheets. Claimed weight is just 780g, and it’s very thin:
It does have a bit more of a curve to it than the perfectly flat original (still on the left), but we’re guessing it’s going to be laterally stiffer…and it’s 270g lighter.
Another look at the original. Also note the different arm rest cushion pads used by different riders.
The bike does an excellent job of hiding the rear brake from the wind.
