External headset and relatively short reach for the Italian champ
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Fabio Aru was presented this new Argon 18 just before the Tour de France began (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then spacers can be placed on top if needed (Aru uses none)(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
While Look also has a titanium-spindle version of the Keo Blade Carbon, many pros use the chromoly version(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Astana has 9070 Di2, but could move to a full FSA group if and when that comes(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Astana is the one team in the Tour de France on Schwalbe tubulars (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
FSA started the stickers-on-bar-tape trend and now Prologo has jumped on board (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Aru uses Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifters and derailleurs with FSA cranks and rings, and a power2max power meter (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Pro riders may get custom paint, but Argon 18 founder Gervais Rioux believes that even most pros fit just fine on stock geometry (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
No one could follow Aru's horse on stage 5(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Argon 18 claims this external upper headset makes for a stiffer front end (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro has a unique headset that sits atop the head tube, rather than ensconced down in it(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The 2018 Gallium Pro weighs a claimed 794 in size medium (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The brand new Italian national champion Fabio Aru stormed away from the rest of the world's best climbers on Wednesday at the Tour de France, winning stage 5 on his brand new Argon 18 Gallium Pro
Argon 18 founder Gervais Rioux presented Aru with the new red Gallium Pro on the eve of the Tour.
While the 2018 model of the Gallium Pro has some updates, including a weight reduced down to 794g for a medium frame, perhaps the most surprising thing about Aru's bike is how relatively normal the fit is.
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro has a unique headset that sits atop the head tube, rather than esconced down in it
On most pro bikes, long and low is the norm, with stems typically at least 120mm if not 130 or even 140mm.
Aru runs a 100mm stem — just what would come stock on a 54cm bike.
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Rioux uses Aru's fit as a talking point. “We believe less than 5 percent of people need a custom frame. Nature is well done,” Rioux said, adding that people are usually quite proportional and similar to others of the same height.
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then spacers can be placed on top if needed (Aru uses none)
What isn't similar to others is Argon 18's upper headset bearing, which sits atop the head tube instead of down inside it. Rioux claims this patented design makes for a stiffer front end and a better handling bike.
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then riders can add spacers on top of that if need be.
The new Gallium Pro has room for up to 28mm tires.
Astana is the one team in the Tour de France on Schwalbe tubulars
Check out the gallery above for a closer look at the Argon 18 Gallium Pro Fabio Aru is racing at the 2017 Tour de France. And for a look at Aru's bike and set up from the Criterium du Dauphine last month, click here.
