The "bike package" used by the Belgian team's riders is very interesting in terms of aerodynamics, a highly sought-after factor among the pros. And then there are some solutions adopted that shouldn't go unnoticed.
We asked Nick Mondelaers, mechanic of the Team Lotto-Soudal and also reference for Ridley which supplies the frame-kits.
Do riders only use the Ridley Noah Fast?
Yes, today all team athletes use the Noah Fast, because even though it is a bike that was born with strong aerodynamic concepts, it is also good on technical routes and with a lot of climbing. And then it is rigid, an aspect particularly appreciated by riders. I can tell you that theNoah Fast in this latest version is also sought after outside of our team, confirming the tradition of the aero research by Ridley.
How much does the bicycle weigh?
A Ridley Noah Fast in size M, with DT Swiss ARC50, weighs 7,2 kilograms.
How are the bikes assembled?
There's a Ridley Noah-Fast frame kit, full carbon integrated handlebar, Shimano transmission, But the chain is KMCWe use the Gold version. The bottom bracket is supplied by our sponsor. cema.
Wheels?
The wheels are DT Swiss ARC1100 and can be of three different profiles: 45, 50 and 62, all tubeless. We have Victory for tires, obviously tubeless and it's our practice is to insert the Air-Liner into the tubelessThe saddles are of Selle Italia. The pedals are look, the LizardSkin handlebar tape and the Tacx bottle cages, we normally use the carbon one. power meter is 4iiii.
Air-Liners in tubeless?
Yes, we use them regardless of the route, not only during the cobblestone races. Runners appreciate them and also In tests carried out to quantify rolling resistance, there are no negative effects. As for the weight, just a few grams more are imperceptible. We still put some anti-puncture liquid in the tubeless.
But let's also notice the tires with different sections!
We use Vittoria Corsa tubeless, 25 in front and 28 in back. Wind tunnel tests have demonstrated the advantages of the combination. The Control model is fitted on the most demanding races for the components, such as those in Belgium, northern France and when there are sections of dirt/gravel. Pressures also vary, based on the weight and preferences of the rider, but let's take into account the tire manufacturer's recommendations. In any case, we're talking about 5 atmospheres.
For Ridley, this is the first season without Campagnolo!
It was a big change, after many years of collaboration. DT Swiss supplied us with over 250 pairs of wheels, of various types, products that live up to the name they bear.
What about broadcasts?
We are not a Shimano sponsored team, so we we buy the transmissions and components we need for the bicycles. Like others, we've had some difficulty sourcing all the parts this year, even though orders were placed around mid-2021. Some riders needed larger chainrings, for example Filippo Conca which uses the 54-42 combination. For him we bought some Rotor crowns and we adapted them to the Shimano cranks.
