The sky had already darkened, and the rain was falling as I headed over to the Trendy Journey Biking truck within the nook of the workforce’s lodge carpark on the eve of Opening Weekend.
The Spring Classics are upon us, and brand-new American workforce Trendy Journey Professional biking, based by ex-pro rider George Hincapie, has secured invites to not less than two of them, together with Paris-Roubaix, one of many greatest one-day races on the planet.
Trendy Journey is a UCI second-tier workforce, however will race Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne this Sunday, and the Hell of the North in a number of weeks. The workforce’s riders are additionally racing aboard essentially the most talked-about highway bike of the final yr, the hyper-aero Issue One, which have to be good for morale forward of taking over the WorldTour squads, although in addition they have the Ostro Vam at their disposal.
Chances are you’ll like
I shot each fashions whereas the workforce’s mechanics labored on them, they usually informed me the riders are inclined to need to journey the One and like its really feel, although some Ostro fashions had been able to go.
It is onerous to look past the headtube and fork, however the Issue handlebar drop bar form is among the most conventional options. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Here is the place it get loopy, the tremendous slender built-in entrance finish simply pulls you in each time. The headtube can also be loads deeper than different ‘all rounder’ race bikes. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Sure, that’s the Issue One headtube… (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
It transitions down into these super-wide fork legs. A number of manufacturers have informed me now, go vast or tremendous slender, however by no means in between, in the case of quick bike design. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
The handlebar tops aren’t taped. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
I really like how that massive Michelin brand seems to be in opposition to the matte black paint. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
The bike is provided with SRAM Drive groupset, and a Pink entrance mech, a mishmash from SRAM’S high two highway groupsets. These chainrings had been 56/43T. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
A CeramicSpeed backside bracket has been fitted. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Selle Italia SLR 3D saddle for this rider. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
30mm Michelin Energy Cup’s had been fited to the 62mm deep wheels. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Little bit of sealant splatter, we have all been there. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
170mm cranks right here, not the shortest, not the longest. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Chunky Issue aero bottle cages are customary. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Here is the workforce’s different, extra regular choice, the Ostro. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
This was Riley Pickrell’s race bike. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
SRAM Drive once more right here for Pickrell, itself an excellent groupset, however not as gentle as high tier Pink. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
A monster Black Inc built-in stem right here, very agressive. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Time XPRO 10 pedals, a part of the SRAM household. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
This one was a dimension 52 bike. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Paint marker from the mechanic to nail the saddle setup. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
I preferred the paint sample right here in opposition to the spoke flange. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Ceramic bearings for the hubs too. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
And a unique 3D printed saddle right here. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Michelin Energy Cup’s once more, all of them appeared model new to me. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Do not forget to torque these bolts, 5-6Nm right here. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
A slender headtube, however chunky in comparison with the One. (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
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