July 13, 2005: A little bit of Discovery tech

Index to all entries

10 Questions with Scott Daubert, Trek's Team Liaison

1. Why do pros use tubular tires instead of clinchers?

Scott Daubert: They prefer them because they are lighter, have a better ride quality, and there are less pinch flats with tubular tires.

2. How often do the mechanics replace the chains?

SD: Here at the Tour they are replaced once a week, mechanical issues not withstanding of course.

3. What bikes and wheels can the Discovery Channel riders choose from, aside from their Time Trial bikes?

SD: For the flat days they usually ride the Bontrager Aeolus wheel and the Trek Madone 5.9. For the climbing days they will usually ride the Bontrager Race XXX Lite wheel and the Madone SL bike. If the weather is bad the team will also be able to use an aluminum Bontrager Race X Lite wheel if they so desire.

4. What do the bikes actually weigh?

SD: The Madone 5.9 usually comes in at 7.2 kilos/15.8 lbs. Lance's SSLx prototype climbing bike weighs just 6.8 kilos/14.96 lbs, the UCI minimum weight for a bike.

5. What air pressure do the tires usually run?

SD: On most days they usually run between 7-8 bar/103-118 PSI. On a rainy day they'll usually run 6-7 bar/88-103 PSI. Time Trial wheels usually run 9 bar/132 PSI.

6. Does the team really ride standard Trek bikes? Or are they made custom to the riders' dimensions?

SD: Yes, they really are standard Trek bikes. One of our Production Engineers, Mark Andrews, goes down the line in December-January and hand picks the bikes off the production line. But these are from the same product line that goes direct to your local Trek dealer.

7. Does aero guru/wheel maker Steve Hed work for Trek?

SD: No, but we have consulted Steve on the Aeolus wheel. His knowledge and experience in the wind tunnel really helped us with the design, plus he's a member of the F-One design team.

8. Back in the day bike forks were mostly curved and now they're straight. What's the difference?

SD: The difference is primarily aesthetic but there is some substantial weight savings, too - and the strength increased. It should be noted that the fork offset - also called "rake" - has not changed from the curved to the straight bladed fork.

9. What's the standard cog set for the Discovery Channel team?

SD: Up front they run a 39-53 chainring and an 11-23 rear cassette. For the Time Trials they usually run a 44-55 chainring and an 11-21 in the back.

10. What are some things Trek is looking at for future production?

SD: Using Computed Fluid Dynamics design and more wind tunnel time to study aerodynamics, improving overall ride quality through geometry and bike materials, and revisiting the SPA technology we successfully used at Paris-Roubaix last year.

Thanks, Scott! That's all for now,

Cheers,
Chris.