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FEATURES: TOUR TECH UP-CLOSE: FABIAN CANCELLARA'S TARMAC SL3
Zap
July 12, 2010
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Fabian Cancellara remains one of the most popular riders in the peloton and to no one's surprise, the dynamic Swiss rider came away from the Prologue TT with the yellow jersey. As the best TT rider in the world today, it's a safe guess that the Saxo Bank team came prepared with a yellow frame (or two) at the ready.
While Fabian gave up his yellow jersey yesterday to the resurgent Sylvain Chavanel (who then lost it on Sunday to Cadel Evans), we thought it was still worthy to take a look at Fabian's fabulous Specialized Tarmac SL3. The production 2011 Tarmac's were only recently rolled out (below).
Fabian had his special yellow bike built the night after the Prologue in Rotterdam. A crash (and resulting bike swap) mid-way through Stage One kept him from finishing on "Ol' Yeller", but it was back for duty in Stage Two and then again in Stage Four. We caught up with Fabian's bike has it sat ready for duty in Stage Two and then as it arrived for Stage Four (above). The biggest difference between his set-up for the two stages was his preference for the deeper Zipp 808 wheels for Stage Four.
There are less than a handful of riders who get to ride with the limited Sram yellow parts. Following his Prologue victory, Fabian's special Sram gruppo arrived at the Saxo team truck Saturday night along with two bottles of champagne to celebrate. Zipp 404 wheels along with the Italian handmade VeloFlex tires, FSA carbon seat post, ProLogo saddle and Tacx Tao Carbon bottle cages rounded out the package.
Here's what the cockpit looks like for the fastest bicycle rider in the world. The Specialized alloy stem and FSA handlebar are complimented by Specialized bar tape and special yellow brake hoods and SRM case. The medallion on the top tube is a custom made (by some "old German lady in the hills") Roman coin signifying both Fabian's nom de guerre of "Spartacus" as well as his own belief in the good luck brought to him with the number seven. Apparently, all of his best rides have come when he has had the number seven in his race number, so to cover himself when he doesn't, the coin pictures two dice that are rolling the lucky number. Coincidentally, Fabian's race number in this year's Tour is 13 and as is custom, he rides with the number pinned upside down on his jersey.
All the Saxo riders run with the new Specialized S-Works carbon crank and Speedplay pedals. Fabian also races with his SRM Power Meter.
Rear drivetrain duties are handled by Nokan cables and a Sram Red derailleur which is retro-fitted with the over-sized Berner derailleur pulley (and carbon plates) that uses a 13/15 top/bottom tooth configuration. With the chain's larger wrap around the over-sized pulleys the riders cite smoother pedaling as the big pay-off.
The 2010 Tour could very well be remembered as the year of the Tamac SL3. Fabian may be out of yellow now, but Specialized is still sitting pretty with both Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck (l) aboard their own Tarmacs in top position to finally win the big S the yellow jersey in Paris that has eluded them all these years.
BY THE WAY.....
Here's what the 2011 production Tarmac SL3 looks like.
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