PRO produces stems for the Sky team in custom lengths(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Geraint Thomas's (Sky) view from the cockpit includes a PRO aluminum bar and stem, a Garmin Edge 510 computer (on a blacked-out K-Edge mount), and double wrapped tape(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
…and the matching wiggly fork(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The distinctively wiggly rear end of Pinarello's Dogma 65.1 Think2…(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Not many people may have expected Geraint Thomas (Sky) to put in such an impressive performance but those in the know fully anticipated it, particularly given his excellent finishes this season so far(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The massive Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 front derailleur somehow manages to look a little less bulky against the backdrop of the big frame tubes and deep-section wheels(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Sky's team livery is simple but easily recognizable(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
There's so much padding on the saddle that it's nearly impossible to keep the cover from wrinkling(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
More cushioning comes from the flexible carbon fiber shell on Geraint Thomas's (Sky) extra-padded fi'zi:k Arione saddle(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Sky team mechanics use these little rubber balls to keep cable housing from rubbing on the frames(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A simple chain catcher for Geraint Thomas's (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 at Ronde van Vlaanderen(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The head tube on Pinarello's Dogma 65.1 Think2 reminds us of the Moai statues on Easter Island(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A big Pinarello logo is on the bottom of the down tube for the finish line photos(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The lawyer tabs are still intact on Geraint Thomas's (Sky) Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 fork(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The K-Edge logos are blacked out on the team's Garmin mounts but there's no denying that its CNC-machined aluminum construction is far sturdier than what Garmin produces(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Geraint Thomas (Sky) has had team sponsor fi'zi:k produce for him a special Arione saddle with an absolutely incredible amount of padding - easily three times the thickness of a standard version and much, much softer(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Team mechanics use heat shrink tubing to join the Di2 wire and brake housing together into one neat package(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) rode to his best-ever finish at this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen, scoring an outstanding eight-place result among a field full of top riders. That he did so well was even more impressive given that he injured his back in an early crash. Thankfully, at least his Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2 was set up for a long, hard day on the road.
As we've come to expect from Team Sky's race bikes, they're visually rather mundane with just a few bits of light blue to punctuate what's otherwise a straight gloss black frameset. Save for the characteristically curvy rear end and fork blades – and, of course, the enormous Pinarello logos – there's little visual flash to speak of.
Apparently, Sky would rather its race results do the talking and indeed, a few technical details suggested that Thomas's bike was ready for the challenge of the day. Present and accounted for were the usual double-wrapped tape and slighter larger-than-normal 25mm-wide Veloflex Arenberg tubulars (inflated to pressures that team mechanic Gary Blem preferred not to disclose).
Out back, however, was a thoroughly customized saddle from team sponsor fi'zi:k to help the Sky rider deal with the pavé. Thomas's special perch used a standard Arione carbon fiber base and braided carbon fiber rails but was covered with a layer of padding that was both incredibly generous and remarkably soft – so much so that even with fi'zi:k's enviable manufacturing capabilities, it was impossible to keep the cover from wrinkling.
Another custom touch is the unusual 121mm-long stem – exactly 1mm longer than what PRO normally offers to the public. PRO supplies the team with several custom lengths, and although they use similarly shaped extensions to the standard Vibe model, the team stems differ even further from stock fare in that they use sturdier one-piece, four-bolt handlebar clamps instead of the interlocking 'Puzzle Clamp' that everyday riders get.
Otherwise, the build is quite standard-issue with a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 group (without supplemental shift buttons), 50mm-deep Dura-Ace carbon tubular wheels, Dura-Ace SPD-SL carbon-bodied pedals, and an anatomic-bend aluminum PRO handlebar. Stages Cycling now takes over power meter duties from former supplier SRM, the Garmin Edge 510 computer is fixed to a blacked-out K-Edge mount, and a pair of Elite Ciussi aluminum cages hold tightly on the bottles with the additional help of a few strips of grip tape.
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Total weight as shown is 7.54kg (16.62lb).
Complete bike specifications Frame: Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Think2, 56cm Fork: Pinarello Onda Carbon Headset: Pinarello integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered Stem: Custom PRO forged aluminum, 121mm x -6° Handlebar: PRO aluminum anatomic, 40cm (c-c) Tape: PRO Smart Silicone, double wrapped Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ Shimano carbon-specific pads 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: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000, 175mm, 53/39T, w/ Stages power meter Bottom bracket: Shimano SM-BB9000 Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-9000 Wheelset: Shimano Dura-Ace WH-9000-C50-TU Front tire: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm Rear tire: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm Saddle: Custom fi'zi:k Arione w/ braided carbon rails, carbon fiber shell, and extra padding Seatpost: Pinarello carbon Bottle cages: Elite Ciussi (2) Other accessories: Garmin Edge 510 computer, K-Edge Garmin mount
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.83m (6ft 0in) Rider's weight: 70kg (154lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 801mm Saddle setback: 72mm Seat tube length (c-t): 575mm Seat tube length (c-c): 560mm Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 581mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 132mm Head tube length: 165mm Top tube length (effective): 565mm Weight: 7.54kg (16.62lb, with computer and cages)
