RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will find themselves aboard these understated Trek Madone 6.9 SSLs for the 2012 season.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) will again use an alloy Bontrager handlebar this season.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Trek's BAT cage is actually one the the company's least expensive models but it's light and holds bottles tightly.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Trek continues to use its unique BB90 bottom bracket system on the Madone 6.9 SSL with bearings that press directly into the carbon shell.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Bontrager's new wheels feature DT Swiss hub guts.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Just as in years past, Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) runs his -17° stem slammed atop the headset.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Trek's dual mechanical/electronic-compatible internal routing scheme is one of the cleanest out there.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Carryover RadioShack riders will find themselves on a much quieter looking bike for 2012.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Trek's no-cut approach to integrated seatmasts instead relies on interchangeable caps instead of hacksaws.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
It's a good thing the team doesn't have any more title sponsors - they're running out of space on the top tube.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Shimano Dura-Ace dual-pivot calipers are fitted with Bontrager carbon-specific cork pads.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group got a slow start in the pro peloton a few years ago but has now almost completely supplanted the mechanical version at the top levels of the sport.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The RadioShack-Nissan-Trek team will roll on Bontrager wheels for 2012.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmissions for 2012.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Neat internal routing for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission looks clean and also protects the wiring from damage.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The white stripe emphasizes the Madone's flowing lines.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Last year's Leopard Trek team colors now get an additional swatch of red for 2012.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) prefers Bontrager's Team Issue saddle model, based on an older model that was resurrected just for the team and then later offered to the public.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Trek Bicycle Corporation sponsored both the Leopard Trek and RadioShack teams last year so it's no surprise that when the two teams merged during the off-season that the Wisconsin company would carry on in that role for 2012.
Indeed, returning Leopard Trek riders will essentially have to make no adjustments whatsoever as aside from cosmetics, virtually every piece of equipment is carried over from the 2011 season. Anchoring the entire package is Trek's top-end Madone 6.9 SSL frame, dressed in a complete Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic group plus a wide array of components from the company's parts and accessories arm, Bontrager, including the new Aeolus wide-profile carbon tubular wheels, handlebars, stems, saddles, and even bar tape.
Finishing bits include Schwalbe tires, Cane Creek headsets, Bontrager computers with DuoTrap integrated cadence and speed sensors, and Trek BAT bottle cages – a curious choice in terms of cost (it's one of Trek's least expensive options) but one that makes more sense when you consider the reasonable weight and very secure grip.
Team leader Andy Schleck's bike in particular looks to be especially unchanged from when we profiled it during last year's Tour de France in terms of both the build and positioning. We didn't have a chance to weigh team bikes during the team media presentation last week but we expect it to be just barely UCI-legal at around 6.86kg.
As before, Trek will again offer team replica bikes to the public via its Project One program. Suggested retail price (sans pedals) is US$11,686.48.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
