Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Pro bike: Thor Hushovd's Garmin-Cervélo Cervélo R3 Paris-Roubaix

  • An extra clamp on the seatpost is in place to prevent slipping. An extra clamp on the seatpost is in place to prevent slipping.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has been using at Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs features tall flanges and bladed carbon spokes that extend from one rim wall to the other but the M40 wheels he'll supposedly use on Sunday features more conventional looking alloy hub shells and stainless steel spokes. The Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has been using at Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs features tall flanges and bladed carbon spokes that extend from one rim wall to the other but the M40 wheels he'll supposedly use on Sunday features more conventional looking alloy hub shells and stainless steel spokes.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Blacked-out Veloflex tires were mounted on Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR rims for Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) for Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs but he'll switch to massive 27mm-wide FMBs for Paris-Roubaix. Blacked-out Veloflex tires were mounted on Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR rims for Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) for Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs but he'll switch to massive 27mm-wide FMBs for Paris-Roubaix.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) is hoping to claim Paris-Roubaix victory on Sunday on this specially modified Cervelo R3. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) is hoping to claim Paris-Roubaix victory on Sunday on this specially modified Cervelo R3.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Photo credit © James Huang
  • Cervelo has opted for a 1 3/8" lower steerer diameter instead of the more common 1 1/2", saying it yields a better ride while still offering improved steering precision. Cervelo has opted for a 1 3/8" lower steerer diameter instead of the more common 1 1/2", saying it yields a better ride while still offering improved steering precision.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • According to Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics, Mavic's prototype M40s are remarkably tough and not only work best with fat tires (cyclo-cross!), there's a greater risk of rim damage if they're used on ultra-bad roads with narrower rubber. According to Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics, Mavic's prototype M40s are remarkably tough and not only work best with fat tires (cyclo-cross!), there's a greater risk of rim damage if they're used on ultra-bad roads with narrower rubber.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will reportedly ride these Mavic M40 wheels for Paris-Roubaix, complete with massive 27mm-wide FMB tubulars. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will reportedly ride these Mavic M40 wheels for Paris-Roubaix, complete with massive 27mm-wide FMB tubulars.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Mechanics have made these little number holders for years but Rotor now offers them as a standard item to consumers. Mechanics have made these little number holders for years but Rotor now offers them as a standard item to consumers.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Garmin-Cervelo bikes for Paris-Roubaix ultimately aren't all that different from standard machines save for the few millimeters of additional clearance - note the extreme position of the brake pad in the adjustment slots. Garmin-Cervelo bikes for Paris-Roubaix ultimately aren't all that different from standard machines save for the few millimeters of additional clearance - note the extreme position of the brake pad in the adjustment slots.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will use Shimano's latest carbon-bodied Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedals for Paris-Roubaix. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will use Shimano's latest carbon-bodied Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedals for Paris-Roubaix.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Paris-Roubaix machine is fitted with the black version of SRAM's Red group. Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Paris-Roubaix machine is fitted with the black version of SRAM's Red group.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • A fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle is mounted atop 3T's anti-rotation Palladio Pro seatpost. A fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle is mounted atop 3T's anti-rotation Palladio Pro seatpost.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • fi'zi:k-sponsored pros have a number of options when it comes to saddle. Here, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has opted for an Arione CX with a Twin Flex carbon shell mated to k:ium rails. fi'zi:k-sponsored pros have a number of options when it comes to saddle. Here, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has opted for an Arione CX with a Twin Flex carbon shell mated to k:ium rails.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The impossibly svelte-looking seat cluster of Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Paris-Roubaix machine. The impossibly svelte-looking seat cluster of Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Paris-Roubaix machine.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • As with previous R3 incarnations, this latest version features a seat tube that transitions in shape from round up top to rectangular down below. As with previous R3 incarnations, this latest version features a seat tube that transitions in shape from round up top to rectangular down below.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • 3T's unique Palladio seatpost head is apparently a bear to adjust but once the position is set, it's virtually impossible for it to break free when ridden. 3T's unique Palladio seatpost head is apparently a bear to adjust but once the position is set, it's virtually impossible for it to break free when ridden.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The tapered head tube of Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Cervelo R3 Paris-Roubaix houses a slightly modified fork. The tapered head tube of Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Cervelo R3 Paris-Roubaix houses a slightly modified fork.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Black Red front derailleur features a steel cage. Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) Black Red front derailleur features a steel cage.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The chain stays on Cervelo's new R3 are especially massive. For reference, the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR rims in the image are 52mm deep. The chain stays on Cervelo's new R3 are especially massive. For reference, the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR rims in the image are 52mm deep.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Cervelo's BBright bottom bracket design is essentially an extra-wide version of BB30 with the non-driveside bearing pushed 11mm further out to allow for stiffer frames and additional axle support. Cervelo's BBright bottom bracket design is essentially an extra-wide version of BB30 with the non-driveside bearing pushed 11mm further out to allow for stiffer frames and additional axle support.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Team mechanics are taking few chances with the weather, too, fitting even the brakes with sealed Gore Ride-On cables and housing. Team mechanics are taking few chances with the weather, too, fitting even the brakes with sealed Gore Ride-On cables and housing.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Mavic's aggressive Exalith sidewalls require special extra-hard pads (standard compounds would get shredded). Mavic's aggressive Exalith sidewalls require special extra-hard pads (standard compounds would get shredded).
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Gore Ride-On sealed cables will be very popular on Sunday in efforts to guarantee proper shift performance - even though the forecast is currently calling for warm, sunny, and dry conditions. Gore Ride-On sealed cables will be very popular on Sunday in efforts to guarantee proper shift performance - even though the forecast is currently calling for warm, sunny, and dry conditions.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The chain stays on the Cervelo R3 start out very big and tall at the bottom bracket shell but taper to a very slender shape back by the dropouts. The chain stays on the Cervelo R3 start out very big and tall at the bottom bracket shell but taper to a very slender shape back by the dropouts.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Garmin-Cervelo riders will switch from their usual carbon fiber Arundel Mandible cages to the company's stainless steel model instead. Garmin-Cervelo riders will switch from their usual carbon fiber Arundel Mandible cages to the company's stainless steel model instead.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) had an 11-26T SRAM PG-1070 cassette mounted up for Scheldeprijs but will switch to an 11-23T for Paris-Roubaix. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) had an 11-26T SRAM PG-1070 cassette mounted up for Scheldeprijs but will switch to an 11-23T for Paris-Roubaix.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Like most Paris-Roubaix contenders, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will run tightlly spaced 44/53T chainrings for the cobbled classics. Some mechanics insist that such a setup doesn't require a chain catcher but the team will run them just in case anyway. Like most Paris-Roubaix contenders, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) will run tightlly spaced 44/53T chainrings for the cobbled classics. Some mechanics insist that such a setup doesn't require a chain catcher but the team will run them just in case anyway.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • A Rotor chain watcher provides a little extra insurance on the cobbles. A Rotor chain watcher provides a little extra insurance on the cobbles.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics insist that while they have a bunch of classics-style box-section aluminum tubular wheels at the ready, the majority of riders will only be using them as spares come Sunday. Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics insist that while they have a bunch of classics-style box-section aluminum tubular wheels at the ready, the majority of riders will only be using them as spares come Sunday.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) is taking the conservative route, opting for an aluminum handlebar and stem. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) is taking the conservative route, opting for an aluminum handlebar and stem.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Naturally, Garmin-Cervelo team bikes are all outfitted with Garmin's Edge 500 computer. Naturally, Garmin-Cervelo team bikes are all outfitted with Garmin's Edge 500 computer.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) bike is fitted with Rotor's 3D+ crankset with a solid outer ring for extra stiffness. Note the round shape, too, instead of Rotor's more recognizable elliptical Q-Rings. Thor Hushovd's (Garmin-Cervelo) bike is fitted with Rotor's 3D+ crankset with a solid outer ring for extra stiffness. Note the round shape, too, instead of Rotor's more recognizable elliptical Q-Rings.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has been using Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels in Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs instead of the carbon-rimmed M40s as Mavic has been suggesting in its teaser video but will supposedly make the switch for Paris-Roubaix. According to Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics, the Exalith sidewalls on the SLRs simply offer much better braking performance so they're a safer choice if there's a chance of rain and the M40 profile is actually so wide that there's an increased risk of rim damage if you don't run super-fat rubber. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has been using Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels in Ronde van Vlaanderen and Scheldeprijs instead of the carbon-rimmed M40s as Mavic has been suggesting in its teaser video but will supposedly make the switch for Paris-Roubaix. According to Garmin-Cervelo team mechanics, the Exalith sidewalls on the SLRs simply offer much better braking performance so they're a safer choice if there's a chance of rain and the M40 profile is actually so wide that there's an increased risk of rim damage if you don't run super-fat rubber.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • The special fork uses extra rake to balance out the rear end but the broader crown also provides heaps of extra tire clearance. The special fork uses extra rake to balance out the rear end but the broader crown also provides heaps of extra tire clearance.
    Photo credit © James Huang
  • Cervelo says the latest R3 frame geometry was designed so that all of its sponsored riders could still achieve the position they wanted. Here, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) slams his stem right on top of the upper headset cone but he still doesn't have to resort to a -17 Cervelo says the latest R3 frame geometry was designed so that all of its sponsored riders could still achieve the position they wanted. Here, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) slams his stem right on top of the upper headset cone but he still doesn't have to resort to a -17
    Photo credit © James Huang
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