Tom Boonen's Specialized TT bike may not be the prettiest bike likely to grace the Tour prologue, but it looks purposeful and is bristling with novel features.
Starting with pic.1, the bladed aero seatpost is adjustable for saddle height and is orientated vertically. This feature, seen on TT bikes by other manufacturers, keeps the nose of the saddle at the UCI-mandated 50mm behind the bottom bracket axle no matter how high it is placed.
Pic. 2 shows the sharp backward curve needed to get Tom's saddle where it belongs.
Pics 3 and 4 show the Vision Tech aerobars and neat cable routing.
Pics 5 and 6 show the Specialized-made aero centrepull brake calipers. Note the pivoting straddle buckle and the understay location of the rear brake.
Pic. 8 shows one of the small 'winglets' on the underside of the down tube, which serve to fair-in the rear of the fork crown. Worth at least a second over the prologue route, although that may not be enough to get Boonen the prologue win.
We believe that the bike underwent a stiff inspection by the UCI techical committee to check its legality.
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Bike spec
Bike - Specialized
Group - Campagnolo/Specialized mix
Wheels - Fulcrum/Roval
Saddle - Selle San Marco
Finishing kit - FSA
Tyres - Specialized/AnOther
Website - www.specialized.com
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