ultimobici said:That Shimano kit is replacing Sram is not the part I have issue with. The author's assertion that it is because a few riders whined about their bikes is the bit I doubt. My gut says it is more about how many Euros Sram were prepared to stump up being less than Shimano were prepared to pay.
Sure personal preferences come into it but at the end of the day it is a business and Vaughters has to do the best deal for the continued success of the team. That they were on Sram has SFA to do with their lack of wins this year. Wait a minute, they won a few races on that crappy leaping stuff!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmin-Cervélo#Major_Results
Certainly better result compared to Shimano DI2 equipped LeOpard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_Trek#Major_results
Funny that they are likely going to be on Sram next year, so it makes sense that Sram would drop out of the equation with Garmin. After their smash and grab raids in the top echelons of the sport in the last couple of years I wouldn't be surprised at them reigning in their spending.
I looked up the credentials of the VN journalist though. He's been in many teams in his seven years, six to be exact. Interestingly he was brought back into the Pro Tour at the last minute by Bruyneel. One has to question his abilities, either mechanically or to fit in, if he doesn't get rehired after each season.
JVs assertion is what we heard here in the republic(of Boulder, home base of Garmin). I heard it from more than a few Velonews boys, that JV was not happy with sram, poor performance, poor reliability, riders not liking it. 2 more years on a sponsorship contract but when JV talked to sram, he got the 'thousand yard stare'..whaddayamean our stuff is junque??
So $ to shimano.
Leopard/Radioshlek from Di2 to spam..what a let down.