Checkin� the tech with TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar team coach John Verheul
2005 Javelin Primitivo
Start with the feature that stands out most, the top tube sticker.
That�s my team manager Ben Turner putting on one of the Clif Start Global Cooling top tube stickers. For non-bike racing people, the assumption is that anything bicycling-related is very green & clean. While that's true for most bicycling (commuting, touring, etc), racing entails extensive travel, and oftentimes the events themselves use enough vehicles (motos, cars, vans, etc) that as an event we're nowhere close to zero footprint. We're hoping to start changing that, leading by example. So far the events and sponsors we work with have been enthusiastic (CLIF Bar in particular).
Also, as a development team (our riders range from 15 - 22 years old), while part of the mission is to display zero waste, zero footprint and lead by example, a big part of it is exposing the kids to these issues, and providing educational opportunities in that regard. We already did a seminar in
volunteering when they're not in school or on their bikes.
On to the bike!
Frame: Javelin Primitivo, size 60
Fork: Alpha Q carbon �cross. We swapped these in midway through the �05 season, this year most of the guys are on the new, lighter Alpha Q CX 20.
Bar/Stem/seatpost: FSA, 13cm stem, 44cm bars
Crank: Shimano Dura Ace 9s, Ultegra BB (worth the extra weight as it�s sealed, these bikes have to deal with hoses & powerwashers in many places). 42t single chainring, with a custom carbon fiber guard on the outside, and a N-Gear Jump Stop on the inside. I used to run double guards, but until this last weekend I had not dropped a chain using this current system. It�s light and reasonably inexpensive as well.
Cassette: SRAM 9s 12/26, with the 42 single that�s about all you�ll ever need � although we carry around 39s for really slow, heavy courses (
Pedals: Crank Bros Candy SL on home bike, 4Ti on the #1 race bike on the trailer. Most of the guys on the team favor the Candy, Troy Wells likes the plain Eggbeaters.
Seat: Fizik. Was using the Arione, but just switched to the Nisene.
Bar tape: Fizik
Brakes: Empella Frogglegs with Cane Creek crosstop levers. The �06 bikes all switched over to the Shimano BR550, but since I�m the team coach and not really a rider, I get the leftovers. I really like the Empellas though, lots of clearance for mud, still enough braking power for me (I never go fast enough to need to slow down much).
Shifters: Campagnolo Chorus 9s, circa 2000. Left brake lever is a Cane Creek SCR-5 that looks & feels like a Campy Ergolever.
Derailleur: Campagnolo Daytona 9s, 2000. Tacx sealed pulleys. I have to have something Dutch on the bike besides the rider.
Chain: Shimano HG-93, with SRAM powerlink. When you run a single ring, you want to set chain length so the jockey wheels are directly over each other when in your smallest cog. Otherwise, you�re asking for a dropped chain.
Wheels/tires: We have a whole host of Mavic wheels shod with various flavors of Challenge tubulars in the trailer for most big races. When I�m back home in NM, I generally run an older set of Shimano DA7700 road wheels with Michelin clinchers, Spinskins or Mr. Tuffy tire liners for flat protection. We�ve been trying out the new silver
Action pics:
