All OPQS riders have to ride Specialized shoes, saddles, and go through a BG Fit- its in their contracts. Cav will use the Zipp stuff likely as it is owned by Sram. I doubt he needs ridiculously stiff bars- probably just a way for PRO to charge more for stems once they figured out amateurs would do anything and run anything to look pro

The Rapha pro stuff is made in Italy

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"Step forward the climber and all those who worship at the altar of lightness" - R. Millar

Pretty sure chavanel wore dmt shoes all last season

Also it's not so much he's not using PRO stuff but not using his own line of bars and stem with his name on it

He could probably use his PRO stuff after some sharpie modifications or black electrical tape



yup and even non PRO line things are made in italy, some. classic bibs are made in italy i believe. Rapha outsources moa and nalini (from some rapha blog) so it's no surprise. IT's just now there is a rapha brand on the jersey. It's not like adidas made the most recent iterations of sky kits despite the tri-stripes on the side. I dunno, i dont not-like the new stuff, it's just really shiny in the pictures.

The zipp SLC2 bar is very stiff, I doubt he's gonna complain about it. Note, though, the stem is the 145 carbon stem, not the SL speed one.

My comments on Pro and Cav where more based on the fact he has been on it for a few years and he had his own line. The Zipp parts are very nice stuff, just a matter of if he will like the shape.

I thought highroad had something like what OPQS has in regards to the BG fit, but somehow Cav was still able to run the Nike shoes. I could be wrong.

Poor form by Rapha on the Sky kit, a 5 yr old could have been more creative

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New Astana S-Works looks interesting.
- Astana now on Fizik saddles? (looks like an Antares)
- How much lead in the BB spindle to make it legal weight?
- 135mm SRM spider for Speshy cranks (look like stock 11-speed campag chainrings)

[quote="nathanong87"][quote="KWalker"]All OPQS riders have to ride Specialized shoes, saddles, and go through a BG Fit- its in their contracts. Cav will use the Zipp stuff likely as it is owned by Sram. I doubt he needs ridiculously stiff bars- probably just a way for PRO to charge more for stems once they figured out amateurs would do anything and run anything to look pro[/quote]

Pretty sure chavanel wore dmt shoes all last season

Also it's not so much he's not using PRO stuff but not using his own line of bars and stem with his name on it

He could probably use his PRO stuff after some sharpie modifications or black electrical tape[/quote]


Specialized was paying more than Shimano. Shimano no longer has the image rights to use Cav's name on that line. Cav will be on Zipp, Sram, and Specialized.
Specialized saddle.
Specialized shoes. Nike is out.
Now there may be allowances as the season goes but 100% he will not be on his shimano parts.
OPQS is not the reason Cav is there. Specialized is the reason cav is there. They paid a high price for the luxury of paying him a massive contract.

Where as some Spec teams dont respect their contracts, Astana and OMQS honor them closely. This dedication from both parties has made those partnerships very strong.

Not to mention Nibbles being asked to model in summer garb in spite of it looking like being a freezing day!

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SRM can make a 135 bcd crank for either of Hollowgram or Specialized, as required...

Interesting that Nibali's bike, while Campagnolo equipped, has Corima wheels. Don't think that'll last in view of Campagnolo's attitude to sponsorship of late. Campagnolo = group & wheels or you buy it.

Nice. Interesting that Ride magazine actually commented on how much better shift quality on EPS was with the stock rings compared to aftermarket (FSA, I'm looking at you!)

@ultimo, I rate campag wheels but you are going to struggle to get your bike to legal weight even with a set of Hyperons...bit of a rude shock for Nibbles coming off a SuSi Evo with CCU's!

So highly probably still made by Nalini.

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ciclismo-espresso.com

It's easily recognizable Rapha style, it's still British cycle racing black, it's still got the Sky blue line down the back, there's a blue band on the left leg, the horrid inverse coat and tails white back is no more.
Obviously not designed by a five year old unless he's British.

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

Rapha are quite open about who they contract to make all the clothing.
It is design, branding, marketing and image you are paying for.

http://www.rapha.cc/miti

http://www.rapha.cc/moa-sport

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Caad10 with Campagnolo