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Gallery: 2012 Tour de France team bike retrospective - Part 2

By James Huang

published 24 July 2012

Road bikes of Lotto-Belisol to Vacansoleil-DCM

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Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) custom painted Ridley Noah FAST.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Slim seat stays on Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre team bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

All-aluminum Zipp cockpit components for the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun's new ZXRS frames use Time's familiar QuickSet headset system.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Aero profile integrated seatmasts on Saur-Sojasun's new Time ZXRS frames.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun's new Time ZXRS frames are built with this curious bump behind the head tube.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun's new Time ZXRS team bikes at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun's new Time ZXRS frames feature tapered front ends.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The multi-shape chain stays on Saur-Sojasun's new Time ZXRS frames.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun puts the rider's name right on the power meter to keep them from getting mixed up.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Right-angle Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 battery mounts are used by the Saur-Sojasun team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Corima wheels for the Saur-Sojasun team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun team mechanics run the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleur wire through the chain stays.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun's Time RXRS Ulteam at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Rotor Q-Rings and 3D+ crankarms are fitted to this Saur-Sojasun team bike at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saur-Sojasun is using TRP R979 EQ brake calipers at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers are mounted high on this Saur-Sojasun Time RXRS Ulteam.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team bikes utilize replaceable hangers but many of the ones we've seen are made of stainless steel instead of the usual aluminum.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

SRM power meters are fitted to Specialized FACT carbon cranks on this Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 team bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmissions for Vacansoleil-DCM.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre team bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Fetching graphics on Vacansoleil-DCM's Bianchi Oltre machines.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Bianchi won its first Tour de France sixty years ago.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Bradley Wiggins (Sky) used Shimano Dura-Ace carbon tubulars during the early stages of this year's Tour de France, but he's known to switch to custom handbuilt wheels with Enve shallow-profile rims and Chris King or Tune hubs for the big mountains.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Bradley Wiggins (Sky) is using a fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle with braided carbon rails during this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Bradley Wiggins' (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 2 - before he took over as race leader in this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Sky is using a more austere black-and-white paint scheme for this year's team bikes. Current race leader Bradley Wiggins has recently switched to a brighter yellow-accented model, though.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Dura-Ace crankarms, an SRM power meter, Osymetric chainrings, and Speedplay Zero Nanogram pedals for Sky team captain Bradley Wiggins.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Bradley Wiggins (Sky) is using a PRO Vibe 7s aluminum handlebar on his Pinarello Dogma 2 at this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Sky riders were wearing these bright yellow Kask helmets during several stages of this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team bikes are fitted with Zipp wheels at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Specialized saddles for Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

New SRAM Red rear derailleurs for Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Custom blue SRAM Red hoods for the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The hourglass-shaped head tube profile of Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4. Gore Ride-On Profession System derailleur cables are fed into the down tube just behind the head tube.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Radioshack-Nissan-Trek's new Trek Madone 7-Series.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 satellite shifter is mounted to this Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Shimano's new Dura-Ace direct mount front brake is used on Radioshack-Nissan-Trek's new Trek Madones.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Campagnolo has done an admirable job of matching the hood shape of the electronic groups to the mechanical ones.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Movistar's striking Pinarello Dogma 2 road bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Campagnolo also provides wheels to the Movistar team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The Campagnolo Record EPS front derailleurs are supplemented with aluminum chain catchers on Movistar's Pinarello Dogma 2 machines.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Many Movistar riders are using Pinarello's own integrated carbon fiber bar and stem.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The spindly seat stays on this Lotto-Belisol team Ridley Helium look even smaller against the backdrop of the deep-section Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheel.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) saddle of choice is San Marco's Regale.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Campagnolo Record EPS electronic drivetrains are featured on Lotto-Belisol team bikes at this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The carbon fiber hub shells on Lotto-Belisol's Campagnolo wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Most riders admittedly don't require the extra stiffness of Deda's latest 35mm-diameter bars and stems but Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) is clearly looking for as much stiffness as possible.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Andre Greipel's (Lotto-Belisol) Ridley Noah FAST features linear-pull brakes that are molded directly into the frame and fork. The split tubes are also said to improve aerodynamic performance by pulling air away from the spokes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) gets an image of his nickname on the head tube of his Ridley Noah FAST.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Lotto-Belisol sprinter Andre Greipel is putting a lot of watts into this SRM power meter.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Most of the Lotto-Belisol riders are using the lightweight Ridley Helium during this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Campagnolo dual-pivot calipers and carbon-specific red-compound pads are fitted to this Lotto-Belisol Ridley Helium.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The swoopy seat stays of Movistar's Pinarello Dogma 2.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is using SRAM's new Red cassette at this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Radioshack-Nissan-Trek's latest Trek Madone 7-Series team bikes feature rear brakes that are mounted beneath the chain stays.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Several Rabobank team bikes used this intriguing top cap on the OverDrive 2 1 1/4-to-1 1/2" tapered front ends.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

This Rabobank rider certainly adheres to the 'slam that stem' school of thought.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Giant claims the integrated seatmast of Rabobank's TCR Advanced SL frame lends more flex than a conventional seatpost.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

One Rabobank rider was running this unusual setup.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Rabobank's Giant TCR Advanced SLs at the Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Standard Shimano Dura-Ace cranks for the Rabobank team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Shimano Dura-Ace brake calipers for the Rabobank team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Rabobank team bikes utilize a wide range of PRO cockpits. This Stealth Evo integrated setup suggests the steerer tube utilizes a smaller 1 1/8" upper diameter instead of Giant's newer OverDrive 2 system.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Specialized's new tubular tires are mounted to Zipp rims on Levi Leipheimer's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The rear derailleur cable is run through the chain stay on Levi Leipheimer's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

K-Edge has also supplied Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) with its new number plate holder.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is another rider at the Tour de France on SRAM's new Red group.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Levi Leipheimer's (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) is using Specialized carbon cranks, a Quarq power meter, and CeramicSpeed bearings.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

K-Edge has supplied Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) with its new Garmin computer mount.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

Lotto-Belisol riders are using a variety of bar bends from team sponsor Deda.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)

This article was originally published on BikeRadar

Gallery: 2012 Tour de France team bike retrospective - Part 1

In part 1 of our Bikes of the 2012 Tour de France we showed you the steeds ridden by Ag2r through Liquigas-Cannondale.

In this second part we'll feature the bikes of Lotto-Belisol to Vacansoleil-DCM, including Bradley Wiggins' Team Sky Pinarello Dogma 2.

Simply click on the gallery at right and let our eagle-eyed tech editor James Huang give you a real insight into the machinery underneath the riders at the Tour de France.