2015 Tinkoff-Saxo team bike - Michael Rogers' Specialized S-Works Tarmac(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
We're told Tinkoff-Saxo actually buys its Shimano Di2 components (albeit at a reduced rate). Think about that one if chasing free stuff for your racing…(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
This K-Edge chain catcher doubles as an SRM magnet(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Another look at the FSA/Shimano/SRAM combination(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 handles the shifting duties(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A SRM Power Control 7 normally sits on this mount(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
An SRM FSA crank with SRAM chainrings, turning a FSA chain inside a Shimano Di2 front derailleur. This mix-and-match combination is very unexpected at World Tour level(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A Prologo saddle with carbon rails for Rogers(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The 35 year old Australian has had a long and successful career, yet doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Rogers rides an alloy traditional bend FSA handlebar(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
We really like the look of this ride – if the yellow weren't enough already, the black has a real sparkle to it(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Roval Rapide CLX 40 tubular wheels for Rogers(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Having shapeshifted from a three-times time trial world champion to the general classification contender he is today, Australian Michael Rogers remains a rider to watch out for.
Rogers was unlucky to get embroiled in a crash during Sunday's final stage of the Tour Down Under, a race he won back in 2002 and taken this time around by Rohan Dennis. Rogers had previously been looking good for an overall top-10 finish in the race, and we managed to get a closer look at the Specialized S-Works Tarmac he's been riding for team Tinkoff-Saxo.
The S-Works Tarmac, which has been updated for 2015, is designed as a performance all-rounder. While the top sprinters may be seen on the aero Venge, and the rougher Classics will have riders on the Roubaix, the majority of Specialized sponsored riders will be on this new Tarmac for 2015.
Made of high-modulus FACT 11R carbon, the S-Works represents the very best from the Big S. The main story with this frame comes from Specialized’s Rider-First Engineered collaboration with McLaren, which involves looking at the frame tubes and angles of each individual size to ensure the smaller and larger frames aren’t just scaled versions of a 56cm, and that each size performs equally.
The new frame features some revised frame tube shapes for improved aerodynamics along with a nearly integrated seat clamp. Frame stiffness and ride quality is said to have improved too. However, as Rogers’ rides a 56cm, it’s unlikely he’s had to adapt much from his S-Works SL-4 from last year.
The gloss and glitter black paint is combined with fluoro yellow – it’s a hard one to look past – and the choice of colour and design layout is beautifully executed.
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Smorgasboard anyone?
While rumours abound of an impending FSA electronic groupset and a sponsorship of the team, Tinkoff-Saxo team members are currently riding a mixed bag of drivetrain parts. These are a combination of sponsor-provided FSA, a pre-existing stockpile from SRAM and new components bought from Shimano.
As well as being on SRM FSA K-Force Light BB386 and FSA K-Force Light BB386EEVO (spare bike) cranksets, Tinkoff-Saxo riders have been using FSA chains, which are reputed to come from the same manufacturers used by other well-known and trusted brands.
Over the past few weeks, Rogers has been seen to snap two of those chains under race conditions. Time may tell if this was merely down to bad luck, a problem with the chains or a complication caused by the mixed-brand setup.
The SRAM RED chainrings are a complete mystery to us – Tinkoff-Saxo was previously sponsored by SRAM and so would likely have deep supplies of the rings, but, given the FSA sponsorship, we’re unsure why the team aren’t using its chainrings.
The rest of the drivetrain is made up of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, something we’re told was bought from Shimano as a filler groupset until the rumoured FSA is ready.
Tinkoff-Saxo will ride Roval wheels in 2015
The team rolls on Specialized’s own Roval wheels. Rogers’ bike features the Rapide CLX 40 tubular wheelset, which has a claimed weight of 1240g. These 40mm deep carbon wheels feature CeramicSpeed sealed ceramic bearings, a DT Swiss star-ratchet freehub, and skinny and round DT Swiss Revolution spokes.
Glued to these rims are Specialized Turbo tubulars in a 24mm width.
The cockpit components on Rogers’ bike are provided by FSA, with a traditional bend alloy handlebar held by a lightweight OS-99 stem in a 130mm length. A slender 27.2mm FSA K-Force seatpost with a 25mm setback holds a Prologo Scratch 2 saddle.
Complete bike specifications Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac – size 56cm Fork: Specialized S-Works Tarmac carbon Headset: tapered sealed Stem: FSA OS-99, 130mm x -6 degrees Handlebar: FSA Energy, Traditional Bend, 42cm (c-c) Tape: Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070 Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 11-28T Chain: FSA Team Issue 11 speed Crankset: SRM FSA K-Force Light BB386, 175mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeedPF4630 Pedals: Look Keo Blade 2 Titanium Wheelset: Roval Rapide CLX 40 tubular Front tyre: Specialized Turbo tubular, 24mm Rear tyre: Specialized Turbo tubular, 24mm Saddle: Prologo Scratch 2 Nack Seatpost: FSA K-Force SB25 Bottle cages: Tacx Deva Carbon (2) Computer: SRM Power Control 7 (not pictured) Accessories: K-Edge SRM chain catcher, ANT+ speed sensor on front wheel
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.85m (6ft 1in) Rider's weight: 74 kg (163lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 770mm Saddle setback: 80mm (approximate) Seat tube length (c-t): 501mm Tip of saddle to center of bar: 585mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 110mm Head tube length: 160mm Top tube length (effective): 565mm Total bicycle weight: 7.19kg (15.82lb) (w/o SRM computer)
