Devilish details of Chris Froome's different Tour de France Pinarellos

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This article originally appeared on BikeRadar

Team Sky leader Chris Froome has a number of race machines at his disposal at the Tour de France, including multiple iterations of the Pinarello Dogma F10 and the new Pinarello Dogma F10 X-Light. While the bikes' setups are identical in terms of fit and geometry, there are some subtle differences between them. We take a look here.

Pinarello Dogma F10 vs Dogma F10 X-Light

In the final week of the Giro d'Italia, a few Team Sky riders race-tested the new Dogma F10 X-Light for the first time. As the name implies, the new frameset is basically the same but lighter.

The defending Tour champ has two versions of the Pinarello Dogma F10 at his disposal: this original F10 and the new F10 X-Light

Pinarello claims to have shaved 60g by using a lighter carbon (Torayca T1100G UD) that has minimal resin, plus a new mold process.

Pinarello claims that an unpainted X-Light weighs 760g in a size 53cm. For contrast, Specialized claims its new Tarmac is 733g — painted in size 56cm. And Trek's new Emonda weighs a claimed 640g — painted, size 56cm.

Both Dogma bikes share the same aero frame and seatpost, Italian threaded bottom bracket and standard brake calipers (instead of proprietary aero calipers that you see on some aero bikes).

Since Froome's bikes can't weight less than the UCI minimum of 6.8kg / 14.99lb, a few grams of frame weight isn't necessarily a big deal. It could arguably allow for the use of deeper (and heavier) aero wheels while staying right at that 6.8kg mark.

Froome also has a Dogma F10 X-Light at the Tour, which is identical to the F10 in shape but just uses a lighter carbon

Garmin Edge 510 and 810 instead of 520 and 820

While Froome's frames are the latest and greatest, his GPS computers are not. Garmin's Edge 520 and 820 computers are the current top-end race models, but Froome has stuck with the previous 510 and 810 models for better connectivity to power and heart-rate monitors.

Team Sky uses Stages power meters, which can connect via Bluetooth or ANT+ to GPS computers. Garmin owns ANT+, and only uses that frequency for its computers (excluding smartphone Bluetooth connections) for peripherals like power meters, speed sensors and heart-rate straps.

Identical in fit, the cockpit on Froome's X-Light is subtly different (besides the Edge 510 used here)

Garmin made a change in the placement of the ANT+ radios, and that seems to have affected how well the newer units hold signals, according to staff at Stages.

"Team Sky tested the newer models and have had horrible luck especially in a peloton of 198 riders surrounded by TV cameras and other transmitting devices for Velon, etc," said Stages senior vice president Pat Warner.

[Relatedly, if you have an Edge 520 or 820 and experience regular drops of ANT+ data, make sure to turn off any sensors you aren't using in Settings>Sensors. At least this has made a big difference for me.]

At the Tour, Froome has used both Edge 510 and 810 head units.

Chris Froome has a distinct cockpit, with a deconstructed Shimano Di2 climber switch glued onto his PRO Stealth Evo bars, and an old Garmin Edge 810

Stages recently launched the Dash computer, which connects to meters on Bluetooth or ANT+. Team Sky sponsor Wahoo also has a head unit, the Elemnt Bolt, which also connects to meters and other peripherals and Bluetooth and ANT+. Both companies would like to see Team Sky use their computers, but for now, the old Garmin Edge computers are what go on Team Sky bikes.

K-Edge vs blank Garmin mounts and number holders

The small American company K-Edge has provided chain catchers to pro teams for years. The company was co-founded by tools manufacturer Eric Jensen (AceCo Precision Tools) and Joe Savola, husband of and mechanic to Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong. The chain catcher came about after Armstrong dropped her chain at the 2006 world time trial championships — which she still won.

These days, K-Edge provides chain catchers and Garmin holders to a few pro teams, including Team Sky.

While chain catchers might seem superfluous on race bikes with Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2, they certainly don't seem like overkill on Froome's bikes with his O.Symetric chainrings. Even proponents of oval chainrings will tell you that shifting between the rings isn't as smooth as it is with round rings. So, you can find K-Edge chain catchers on all Froome's bikes.

On all his bikes, a K-Edge chain catcher keeps watch

For Garmin mounts, Froome has both K-Edge products and unmarked carbon pieces. As with the carbon number holders that the team uses, team mechanic Thomas Kousgaard told BikeRadar that he wasn't sure where they came from, "some company in Slovenia, I believe." Both the carbon attachments and the K-Edge models bolt to the bottom of the PRO Stealth Evo integrated bar/stem that Froome favours.

K-Edge provides the low-profile mount for the Stealth Evo

Check out the gallery above for a closer look at Froome's Pinarello Dogma F10 and Dogma F10 X-Light bikes. 

Complete bike specifications
Frames: Pinarello Dogma F10 and Pinarello Dogma F10 X-Light
Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
Brake/gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
Satellite shifter: deconstructed Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 climber switch
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100, 11-28t
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100 with 52/38t Ossymetric rings, 175mm
Power meter: Stages Dura-Ace 9100
Wheels: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100, variety of depths
Tubulars: Continental Competition ALX, 25mm
Integrated bar/stem: PRO Stealth EVO
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
Saddle: Fizik Antares
Seatpost: Pinarello Dogma F10
Bottle cages: Elite Custom Race Plus
Computers: Garmin Edge 510, Garmin Edge 810
Computer mounts: K-Edge, plus a blank carbon piece

Critical Measurements
Rider height: 1.86m
Rider weight: 69kg
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 790mm
Tip of saddle nose to bars: 580mm