Larsson and the new Shiv

[Ashtabula]

Pictured here:

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com//2010/05/30/2/pic115204350_1_220.jpg

feature story on the bike:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/fabian-cancellaras-revised-specialized-shiv-3

In the race picture you can see some of the features mentioned in the article, such as the now exposed front brake and very thin head tub area, with stem throw, flat handlebars and top tube all exactly in line.

They claim that while it's not quite so aerodynamic in a straight line against a headwind, in cross winds of any degree it's better. I imagine that means more stable as well.

Certainly Larsson demonstrated that a skilled and determined rider can hang on to it in some pretty varied conditions and tight corners. It's the first win with it, I think.

 

[Publicus]

Pictured here:

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com//2010/05/30/2/pic115204350_1_220.jpg

feature story on the bike:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/fabian-cancellaras-revised-specialized-shiv-3

In the race picture you can see some of the features mentioned in the article, such as the now exposed front brake and very thin head tub area, with stem throw, flat handlebars and top tube all exactly in line.

They claim that while it's not quite so aerodynamic in a straight line against a headwind, in cross winds of any degree it's better. I imagine that means more stable as well.

Certainly Larsson demonstrated that a skilled and determined rider can hang on to it in some pretty varied conditions and tight corners. It's the first win with it, I think.

Contador won on it at Castilla y Leon in April.

 

[Ashtabula]

Contador won on it at Castilla y Leon in April.

Thought that was a lash-up, essentially the previous bike with the fairing removed, but that was the story at the Algarvae.

They do appear similar, although the article claimed they just finished this final, "Shiv 3" version a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I think condator used a enhanced version of the Transition TT?

 

[theswordsman]

It's tough to keep it all straight. At Volta ao Algarve, they only had time to modify a 2009 Transition, a bike he'd never been on before.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/02/news/contador-unhappy-about-uci-decision-to-ban-bike_105666

For Paris-Nice they got him a modified Shiv. I remember someone on Saxo Bank around the same time saying they'd gotten one that would be "legal until May".

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/3...new-Shiv-ready-for-Paris-Nice-Time-Trial.aspx

I'm pretty sure this new one is new to Contador as well. It would have been a good reason why he went to the wind tunnel for four hours last week.

: 20 / 05 / 10 :: Alberto Contador studies his position in the wind tunnel
Alberto Contador spent Wednesday, May 19 doing studies in the Epsilon Euskadi wind tunnel, a state-of-the-art facility that is considered one of the world’s best. The wind tunnel is located in the Álava Technological Park near Vitoria in Basque Country.

Contador’s objective in over four hours of testing was to evaluate the performance of new equipment and to find ways to improve the aerodynamics of his position on the bicycle in races against the clock. “I’m happy with my results, but trying to improve is always important, you have to do as much work as possible along these lines,” said Alberto. “It was a long day and it’s cold during the tests, but it’s worth the effort.”

http://www.albertocontador.com/prensa.detalle.php?id=374

The Criterium du Dauphine Libere next week has Time Trials of 6.8 and 49 kilometers, so I guess we'll see. Valverde won't be there Cancellara (along with both Schlecks & Jens!) is doing the Tour de Suisse. The Dauphine could be fun.