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AG2R Citroën Team is on their third season of driving BMC bikes. Not solely is AG2R the one crew within the Tour de France driving the Swiss bike model, however they’re additionally the one crew driving Campagnolo groupsets and wheels. That makes them a pure place to observe for the latest package from each BMC and Campy, and there are actually thrilling issues happening right here.
A variety of AG2R riders this 12 months are driving on yet-disclosed BMC aero highway bikes, all branded with Red Bull Advanced Technologies logos on the bike. The unnamed BMC bike seems close to manufacturing, and its aero design means it is likely to be an up to date BMC Timemachine Highway.
Try the photographs beneath to see the 5 most fascinating issues we discovered about these prototype BMC x Crimson Bull bikes on the Tour de France
A collaboration between BMC and the Crimson Bull F1 crew’s tech crew
Logos on the downtube of the bike point out that this design is tied to the Crimson Bull Superior Applied sciences crew, identified finest for being the tech arm of the Crimson Bull Components 1 crew. That crew dominates partially to their vehicles being among the many quickest in a straight line attributable to aero effectivity. We suspect BMC has regarded to them to use a few of that aero magic to their subsequent highway bike.
This wouldn’t be the primary time BMC has collaborated with Crimson Bull Superior Applied sciences; the 2 partnered collectively to construct what they known as the ‘first Formula 1 bike.’
The widest fork blades within the professional peloton!
The body seems fairly aerodynamic by itself, however the fork stands out. Or slightly, it stands fairly extensive.
Whereas the fork crown is as extensive because the fork on a 90’s Specialised Stumpjumper and conspicuously extensive in comparison with different highway bikes, this isn’t the primary time we’ve seen one thing like this; the Hope / Lotus observe bikes are maybe the highest-profile bikes we’ve seen with such extensive fork blades.
Why add extra space across the entrance wheel? The Hope / Lotus observe bike moved the fork blades and seat stays extra according to the rider’s legs, whereas these aren’t fairly extensive sufficient to do this. I believe doing so higher strikes airflow across the downtube and water bottles. Or hey, possibly they need this BMC x Crimson Bull Bike to suit a gravel bike tire?
No tubeless, no drawback
Tubeless wheels and tires have largely taken over the professional peloton from the ever-confusing array of clincher and tubular tires. However slightly than tubeless, AG2R is utilizing clincher tires on Campagnolo rims. It’s arduous to inform, however the distinction right here is probably going that AG2R is utilizing Pirelli’s SmarTube TPU tubes. TPU tubes have gained quite a lot of traction as a performance-centric different to tubes that’s lighter, with claims of being sooner, smoother, and extra puncture resistant than a regular tube.
It seems like these SmarTubes aren’t simply used on this BMC Crimson Bull bike however throughout the AG2R bike lineup.
The BMC x Crimson Bull bike makes use of a brand new Campagnolo Tremendous File groupset, largely
As talked about, AG2R is the one crew within the World Tour racing Campagnolo groupsets and wheels for 2023. And whereas the Italian firm just lately launched its new Campagnolo Tremendous File Wi-fi groupset, not everybody on AG2R is utilizing the brand new groupset. Extra apparently nonetheless, even the bikes with the brand new Tremendous File Wi-fi group are nonetheless mismatched groupsets.
Let’s begin with the latter side. This BMC x Crimson Bull bike might need Tremendous File Wi-fi shifters, derailleurs, and brakes, nevertheless it seems like the remainder of it’s a last-generation Tremendous File.
The cranks right here, for instance, are last-generation with a Power2Max spider-based energy meter. The brand new Tremendous File Wi-fi group doesn’t have an influence meter choice, be it from the manufacturing facility or from third-party suppliers.
Campagnolo no says no part mixing. AG2R says, “Maintain my beer”
AG2R bikes with the brand new Tremendous File Wi-fi groupsets appear to combine elements in ways in which Campagnolo says are lower than very best. Campagnolo says each present cassettes and chainrings are technically appropriate, however doing so will lead to vastly decreased shifting efficiency.
The chainrings seem like last-generation 54-39T chainrings, and the cassette seems to be an older model utilizing an 11t cog as properly.
Seeing this sort of part mixing from Campagnolo’s solely World Tour crew is fascinating, to say the least. We count on Campagnolo will proceed working to make sure its sponsored crew makes use of the complete vary of its new groupset if solely to make the most of the improved efficiency touted with the brand new group.
To be clear, not each AG2R bike is mixing elements. Some are nonetheless utilizing the previous-generation wired Campagnolo Tremendous File EPS groupset, which we count on to vary later this 12 months as drivetrain availability ramps up. However till then, crew mechanics will nonetheless want to make sure they’ve battery chargers for each Campagnolo’s Wi-fi and EPS methods alongside the Tour.
This wouldn’t be the primary time BMC has collaborated with RedBull superior applied sciences, with the 2 firms partnering to create what they known as ‘the world’s first F1 bike’ final 12 months after they created a brand new time trial bike.
The inclusion of the Crimson Bull brand on the fork leg factors to some collaboration occurring between the manufacturers for this new bike too, maybe within the aerodynamics division once more.
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