How good are these team tech's

[deboat]

I love anything with two wheels. When I see Motogp bikes I see art and love put into the prototypes bikes they ride. Rossi's bike has a great amount of detail put into the assemably of the race bike.

When I look at the TT bikes some of them have bad details. The Garmin-Slipstream team front brake set-up looks like crap! You can see the grinding marks on the caliper. A little polishing would go a long way! The manufacture that make these bikes would be emparrased at some of the "fabrication" that has been done. Some of the custom bits the pro's use looks great. but what do the mechanics do to these bikes?

 

[davidg]

I agree that this year in particular some of the handiwork seems to be a bit more agricultural than previous, but I think part of the problem is the UCI sudden enforcement of the 3:1 rule.

The teams are all scrambling to redefine the bikes using equipment that meets the rules, rather than use all the stuff they tested over the racing break. And of course the manufacturers are struggling to bring out UCI legal kit in time.

So I think we will continue to see some 'inventive' solutions for the rest of the year.

 

[kiwirider]

I love anything with two wheels. When I see Motogp bikes I see art and love put into the prototypes bikes they ride. Rossi's bike has a great amount of detail put into the assemably of the race bike.

<COMMENT ON GARMIN TT BIKES> ... The manufacture that make these bikes would be emparrased at some of the "fabrication" that has been done. Some of the custom bits the pro's use looks great. but what do the mechanics do to these bikes? :

Will try posting this a second time - strange, but it appeared on the board and then disappeared (or was removed???) Anyhow ...

Don't put the MotoGP bikes on too high a pedestal. Check out pictures of Nicky Hayden's RC211V and you'll see a really low tech solution to his tendency to over-brake with the rear ... a series of bungees tied around the brake pedal and frame! Also, check into the garages and you'll find zip ties, peen hammers and grinders taking pride of place as the tool of choice for mechanics in many instances ...

And should the bike/frame and component manufacturers really be embarrassed at the work that the mechanics do - or should they actually be embarrassed that the mechanics need to do that work? I mean, team bikes are the manufacturers' advertisement of the quality of their products and accordingly they typically put a lot of time and effort into making them the best advert that they can be. If frame and component manufacturers still can't get the team bikes suited to the riders, what does it say about the quality of the products that they expect us to shell out our hard earned cash for?

Knowing a number of pro team and national team mechanics, I'd suggest that pointing the finger at them is typically not that fair. My experience tells me that they are generally highly skilled, hard working people whose efforts go largely unappreciated outside the team (and even unappreciated by some riders - but that's another story ...).

If products need to be subjected to some fairly agricultural modifications to make them work, then I'd suggest people should start asking whether that particular manufacturer is spending too much in their marketing department and is focusing more on colour schemes and "looks like it makes you go faster s***" than they are on the function of their products.

But then again, my viewpoint is biased by the fact that I ride and race 'cross and endurance MTB, so for me function is usually more important than form ...

 

[deboat]

Comparing Motogp was a general comment. It is common to increase the preload on a rear master cylinder on motogp bikes and world superbikes. I always used o'rings for the simplicity and being lightweight. And I did say "Rossi's" bike has the detail I'm talking about. Not Hayden's Honda. Nicky's Ducati is very nice to look at too!!!

I too enjoy using my angle grinder and hammer making "art". But I would always make the finished part have function and be eye pleasing to look at.
And zip ties are great if use wisely.

Bike manufactures mass produce parts for the general public to purchase. Somtimes make "one off's" for the sponsorded pro's to use. When a "pro" rider wants something on the bike to be modifyed that is the responsbility of the team mechanic. When the mechanic changes a part at a world stage , like the TDF. He/She should take more pride in the workmanship they are doing, and not do last minute, ugly mods.

I agree with davidg about UCI sudden enforcement of the 3:1 rule. Thanks.