A look at Tour Down Under leader's Budget Forklifts road machine
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Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo S3, briefly at rest during the 2015 Tour Down Under (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Veloflex Arenberg tubulars aren't the very fastest but should be very durable on Australia's roads (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Bobridge knew exctly what he was doing when he won the first stage; the key stage events were written out for him (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Cervelo's S3 frame uses it's own 'BBRight' bottom bracket standard, extending the bottom bracket shell a further 11mm on the left side as compared to BB30 shells (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Campagnolo Record 11-speed mechanical (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The S3 is no longer Cervelo's most aerodynamic frame but it's still very fast in a wind tunnel, and clearly just as fast on the road (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Slippery shapes on the Cervelo S3 (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
We're so used to seeing Super Record at this level, but Campagnolo Record 11-speed is still one of the very best (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
We suspect Bobridge was liking the numbers he was seeing on this computer as he crossed the finish line on stage one (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
An integrated seat clamp sits near the world record holder's name (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The SRM Campagnolo 11-speed crank adds plenty of expense to this build(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Slightly older Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels feature a 50mm-deep rim profile (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Grippy Prologo OneTouch tape is Bobridge's choice (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A Prologo Scratch Pro saddle features generous padding and titanium rails - making for a heavier part (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
And in case you made it this far, here's a sneak peak at Bobridge's Hour Record bike he'll be using at the end of the month. Full details of this special ride to come (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Jack Bobridge (UniSA) in the leaders jersey(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
World record holder and multiple-time world champion Jack Bobridge may have stated that he's returning his focus to the track this year with an eye on the 2016 Olympics but for the time being, he's back on the road with Budget Forklifts, an Australian Continental team where his track teammates will race, too. With an Hour Record attempt planned for the end of the month, Bobridge is clearly in form as he's currently leading this year's Tour Down Under.
Following a convincing win in the first stage of the Tour Down Under, Bobridge continues to wear the leaders jersey heading into the third stage. This was all made possible by riding for the UniSA team, an Australian national team that was invited to the Tour Down Under as a composite of non-WorldTour riders. This team has a long history of producing results at the race, and raising awareness for talented riders on a world stage.
With Cervélo missing from the 2015 WorldTour, the Canadian brand’s sponsorship has shifted to women’s cycling (Velocio-SRAM) and smaller, Continental-based teams – such as Budget Forklifts.
Bobridge is using a stock 54cm Cervélo 2015 S3 frameset. While this may not be quite as fast as the brand’s upper-level S5 aero-road model as far as the wind tunnel is concerned, the S3 is pitched as a more well rounded race bike. This is seen with thinner seatstays borrowed from the brand’s R-series, which offer a greater level of compliance at the rear – something that is greatly beneficial on some Australian roads.
That frameset is built with a Campagnolo Record 11 mechanical drive train and brakes. While Campagnolo does offer a marginally lighter Super Record groupset, Record offers all the same performance in a slightly cheaper package – something that is important given the tight budgets in Continental racing. Perhaps given Bobridge's track background, the lever bodies are set up with a pronounced inward angle instead of the usual inline position.
Showing no budget restraint, however, is the SRM Campagnolo 11-speed crank and matched SRM PowerControl 7 computer.
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Equally as top-level to the SRM are the Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels. Although now superseded by the wider Bora Ultra 50, these 50mm-deep tubular wheels with ceramic bearings and a 1310g claimed weight certainly don't appear to be a disadvantage.
The Veloflex Arenberg tubulars are more commonly seen in the European classics where cobbles and extremely raw roads mean punctures are likely. Australia’s roads aren’t the best and so this choice is likely to be more durable and grippier than faster and lighter options.
Lastly, Prologo and 3T components round out the build. Again, the ultralight top-level parts are not present here which leads to a total bike weight of 7.4kg (16.28lb). This is reasonably heavy given the mechanical gearing and average frame size.
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Cervelo S3 – size 54cm Fork: Cervelo S3 Headset: FSA Orbit IS integrated Stem: 3T ARX II Team, 130mm x -6 degrees Handlebar: 3T ErgoSum Team Stealth, 40cm (c-c) Tape: Prologo OneTouch Front brake: Campagnolo Record 11 Rear brake: Campagnolo Record 11 Brake levers: Campagnolo Record 11 Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11 Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11 Shift levers: Campagnolo Record 11 Cassette: Campagnolo Record 11, 11-25T Chain: Campagnolo Record 11 Crankset: SRM Campagnolo 11-speed, 172.5mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: Wishbone BBRight BPF3025C Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace Wheelset: Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two Front tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm Rear tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro Seatpost: Cervelo Carbon Bottle cages: Elite Mio Sior (2) Computer: SRM Power Control 7
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Rider's weight: 65kg (143lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 750mm Saddle setback: 60mm Tip of saddle to center of bar: 565mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 100mm Head tube length: 148mm Top tube length (effective): 548mm Total bicycle weight: 7.4kg (16.28lb, with SRM computer)
