As international competitions resume with the Tour Down Under in Australia and the Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon, let’s take a look at the bikes and equipment used by the main teams in the peloton.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: DR

Among the 19 World Tour teams, only four still seem resistant to disc braking. And not the least, with the two biggest armadas on paper, namely the Ineos and Jumbo-Visma teams. Higher weight, time loss in case of breakdown and wheel change, and for some bikes a lack of dynamism in the disc brake version seem to be the main reasons. But there is no guarantee that this will not change during the season. The same applies in the other direction, as some teams with disc braking could revert to rim brakes as the mountains and Grand Tours approach.

In most teams, riders have a choice between two or three different frames, and of course several pairs of wheels from the same manufacturer depending on the terrain. The same applies to saddles, handlebars and stems, and of course the gear ratios, which can be individualized.

With a tubular, it is still possible to ride on the rim while waiting for the support car.

The tubular is still largely dominant in the professional peloton, not for reasons of efficiency – as it has been shown that high-end tires have lower rolling resistance than tubulars – but for practical reasons in case of a puncture. Indeed, with a tubular, it is still possible to ride on the rim while waiting for the support car, which is almost impossible with a tire. We note a timid breakthrough of Tubeless, with some Deceuninck – Quick Step riders equipped with Specialized, or Movistar riders equipped with Continental, or CCC Team with Cadex wheels and tires.

At the highest level, all riders use electronic shifting, whether Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (or Ultegra), Campagnolo Super Record Record EPS, or Sram Red eTap AXS (the latter two in 12-speed).

In terms of gear ratios, we note an inflation of the gear ratios used, with 54 or even 55-tooth chainrings becoming more and more frequent to cope with the very high speeds reached on the flat, but also a large majority of riders who ride all year round with a 30-tooth large cog.

For drivetrains, among the top-level teams, Shimano remains dominant with 14 teams (knowing that some of them buy their groupsets), far ahead of Campagnolo (3 teams) and Sram (2 teams).

On the pedal side, Shimano is also in the majority with 11 teams, ahead of Look with 7 teams and Speedplay with 1 team.

The Japanese manufacturer is also very present in terms of power meters with 10 teams, ahead of SRM, Quarq and Rotor with 2 teams, and 4iiii, Stages and Power2Max with 1 team.

It’s more evenly distributed for wheels (Shimano: 5 teams, Vision, Roval and Campagnolo: 2 teams, and Mavic, Corima, Cadex, Fulcrum, Enve, Bontrager, Zipp and Black Inc.: 1 team).

For tires, we find Continental and Vittoria with 5 teams each, then Pirelli and Specialized with 2 teams, and finally Vredestein, Wolfpack, Cadex, Michelin and Maxxis with 1 team each.

For saddles, Italian brands with fi’zi:k, Prologo (5 teams each) and Selle Italia (3 teams) are very present, ahead of Specialized (2 teams), Cadex, PRO, Bontrager and Syncros (1 team).

Finally, for bike computers, 11 out of 19 teams are equipped with Garmin, and 4 with Wahoo. Then there are 2 teams with SRM, and one with Sigma, one with Stages.

AG2R La Mondiale

The French team remains faithful to Eddy Merckx for the second consecutive year, after a chaotic start to the first season. Riders will have the choice between the Stockeu 69 and the 525 Disc models, although their preference should clearly go to the former, which is lighter and more dynamic, with rim brakes.

Frames and forks: Eddy Merckx Stockeu 69 (rim brakes) or 525 Disc
Wheels: Mavic
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (excluding crankset)
Tires: Vredestein Fortezza Senso T
Saddles: Fi’zi:k
Cockpits: Deda Elementi Super Leggero/Super Leggera
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic Ti
Bike computers: Wahoo Element Bolt
Power meters: Rotor 2InPower
Other: KMC x11SL chains, Elite Custom Race Plus bottle cages
Contact: Eddy Merckx

Astana Pro Team

Astana changes bike supplier in 2020 and gets magnificent Wilier bikes with custom colors. The Zero SLR, only available with disc brakes, should be the most used bike by the team this season, thanks to its light weight, perfect integration, and versatility.

Frames and forks: Wilier Zero SLR Disc
Wheels: Corima
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Wolfpack
Saddles: Prologo
Cockpits: Wilier Zero Integrated
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic TI
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Tacx Ciro bottle cages, Ceramic Speed derailleur pulleys
Contact: Wilier Triestina

Bahrain – McLaren

At Bahrain – McLaren, they’re not switching to Formula One, but staying with Merida bikes. Riders will have the choice, depending on the type of course, between the Scultura and the Reacto (aero model), both with disc brakes. Shimano equipment and Vision wheels complete the very attractive color scheme.

Frames and forks: Merida Scultura Disc or Reacto Disc
Wheels: Vision
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Continental
Saddles: Prologo
Cockpits: Vision Metron / FSA K-Force
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Elite Custom Race bottle cages
Contact: Merida

Bora – Hansgrohe

Peter Sagan’s team remains faithful to Specialized, with Shimano equipment and Roval and Body Geometry components (Specialized) for the wheels, tires, saddles and handlebars for the Venge. Riders will continue to alternate between the Venge and Tarmac models, both with disc brakes, depending on the type of course. The S-Works Roubaix should only be used for the cobbled Classic in April, as it is the bike that won the last two editions (with Sagan and Gilbert).

Frames and forks: Specialized S-Works Venge or Tarmac (or Roubaix)
Wheels: Roval CLX
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Specialized Turbo (tubulars and Tubeless)
Saddles: Body Geometry (Specialized)
Cockpits: Specialized Aerofly / Pro Vibe
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Specialized bottle cages
Contact: Specialized

CCC Team

At CCC Team with Giant, they are still navigating between the TCR model with rim brakes and the aerodynamic and fully integrated Propel Advanced SL with disc brakes. It should be noted that the rim-brake TCR allows for very light builds, well below the current UCI limit of 6.8 kg, and that it is necessary to add extra weights to this build to reach the legal weight.

Frames and forks: Giant TCR Advanced SL (rim brakes) and Propel Advanced SL (Disc)
Wheels: Cadex (Tubeless)
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Tires: Cadex Race 25 Tubeless
Saddles: Cadex Boost
Cockpits: Giant Contact SLR
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Giant Airway Sport bottle cages
Contact: Giant

Team Cofidis

Cofidis changes equipment supplier for its move to the World Tour, as the French team’s riders will be riding De Rosa Merak and SK Pininfarina bikes with Fulcrum wheels. Elia Viviani and his teammates will, however, keep the 12-speed Campagnolo groupsets, but with disc braking. Fulcrum wheels and FSA components complete the setup.

Frames and forks: De Rosa Merak and SK Pininfarina
Wheels: Fulcrum
Groupsets: Campagnolo Super Record EPS DB 12-speed
Tires: Michelin Power Competition
Saddles: Selle Italia
Cockpits: FSA K-Force/ACR
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic Ti
Bike computers: SRM PC8
Power meters: SRM
Other: Elite Cannibal bottle cages
Contact: De Rosa

Deceuninck – Quick-Step

The most prolific team in terms of victories in 2019, led by Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenepoel, and sprinter Sam Bennett, is returning with the same equipment in 2020, namely the Specialized S-Works Venge and Tarmac, or even Roubaix for the Northern Classics, and equipment identical to Peter Sagan’s Bora – Hansgrohe.

Frames and forks: Specialized S-Works Venge or Tarmac
Wheels: Roval CLX
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Specialized Turbo (tubulars and Tubeless)
Saddles: Body Geometry (Specialized)
Cockpits: Specialized Aerofly / PRO Vibe
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Specialized bottle cages
Contact: Specialized

EF Pro Cycling Team

The EF Pro Cycling team continues with Cannondale, using two models alternately, depending on rider preferences and terrain, and again now only with disc brakes: the System Six and Super Six. Shimano drivetrains, Vision wheels and components make up these bikes, which are also the only ones to use Speedplay pedals.

Frames and forks: Cannondale Super Six Hi-Mod and System Six
Wheels: Vision Metron
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc (excluding Cannondale HollowGram SiSL2 cranksets)
Tires: Vittoria Corsa
Saddles: Prologo
Cockpits: Vision Metron
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Aero
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Power2Max NG
Other: Tacx Ciro bottle cages
Contact: Cannondale

Groupama – FDJ

At Groupama – FDJ, they are gradually switching to disc brakes, at least for the Xelius SL model, used by most versatile riders. The aerodynamic Aircode model is not yet available with this technology. It is also likely that Thibault Pinot and his teammates will switch back to rim brakes for the mountain stages of the Tour de France for weight saving reasons.

Frames and forks: Lapierre Xelius SL (Disc or rim brakes) or Aircode SL
Wheels: Shimano
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Continental
Saddles: Prologo
Cockpits: PRO Vibe
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Elite bottle cages
Contact: Lapierre

Team Ineos

With the Dogma F12 and F12 Light that appeared last year, Team Ineos is not changing a winning team and is keeping the same Pinarello bikes for 2020. After various comparative tests, the British team has chosen to stick with rim brakes. It is also one of the only teams to ride almost the same bike all year round, because while the F12 X-Light is 60g lighter than the F12, it doesn’t change much in terms of handling, unlike the Dogma FS with an integrated suspension system, only used on Paris-Roubaix.

Frames and forks: Pinarello Dogma F12 or F12 X-Light
Wheels: Shimano
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Tires: Continental Competition
Saddles: Fi’zi:k
Cockpits: Most Talon
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Elite bottle cages
Contact: Pinarello

Israel Start-Up Nation

The new World Tour team (which took over the Katusha license) is equipped with Factor bikes, a brand making its return to the highest level after equipping AG2R La Mondiale. Israel Start-Up Nation riders will have the choice between the aerodynamic One or the ultra-light O2 VAM, both in their disc brake version. Shimano drivetrain, Black Inc. wheels and Ceramic Speed components complete a very attractive setup.

Frames and forks: Factor One Disc and O2 VAM Disc
Wheels: Black Inc.
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Maxxis
Saddles: Fi’zi:k
Cockpits: Black Inc.
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Wahoo
Power meters: 4iiii
Other: KMC chains, Ceramic Speed derailleur pulleys, Tacx bottle cages
Contact: Factor

Jumbo – Visma

Tom Dumoulin, Steven Kruijwijk and Primoz Roglic can choose between three different bikes depending on the course, but Team Jumbo – Visma remains faithful to rim brakes, like Team Ineos, its great rival in the Grand Tours. For the rest, the Bianchi bikes are classic, but still super classy with solid and proven Shimano equipment throughout.

Frames and forks: Bianchi Oltre XR4, Infinito CV, Specialissima
Wheels: Shimano
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Tires: Vittoria Corsa
Saddles: Fi’zi:k
Cockpits: FSA / Vision
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Tacx Ciro bottle cages
Contact: Bianchi

Lotto – Soudal

The Belgian team, which welcomes Philippe Gilbert from Deceuninck – Quick Step, is switching to disc brakes on both bike models it will use throughout the season: the Ridley Noah Fast for fast races, and the Helium SLX for hilly events or mountains. Lotto – Soudal remains faithful to Campagnolo for drivetrains and wheels.

Frames and forks: Ridley Noah Fast DB and Helium SLX
Wheels: Campagnolo
Groupsets: Campagnolo Super Record EPS DB 12-speed
Tires: Vittoria Corsa
Saddles: Selle Italia
Cockpits: Deda Elementi
Pedals: Look Blade Carbon Ceramic Ti
Bike computers: SRM PC8
Power meters: SRM
Other: Tacx Ciro bottle cages
Contact: Ridley

Mitchelton – Scott

As seen here with Annemiek van Vleuten’s bike, the world champion, men and women of the Mitchelton – Scott teams will ride the same bikes: either Foil Disc for flat courses, or the new Addict RC where versatility is needed. This Addict should approach 7 kg despite disc braking and prove to be among the lightest in the peloton.

Frames and forks: Scott Foil Disc and Addict RC Disc
Wheels: Shimano
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Pirelli PZero
Saddles: Syncros
Cockpits: Syncros
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Elite Cannibale bottle cages
Contact: Scott

Movistar Team

While Movistar continues its collaboration with Canyon, the team of former world champion Alejandro Valverde is switching to disc brakes and, more importantly, changing equipment suppliers after more than 25 years with Campagnolo. So, it is with a complete Sram Red eTap AXS 12-speed groupset that the Spanish team will battle on the roads of the World Tour, as well as with Zipp wheels, including the excellent 454 NSW.

Frames and forks: Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Disc and Ultimate CF SLX Disc
Wheels: Zipp
Groupsets: Sram Red eTap AXS 12-speed
Tires: Continental Competition
Saddles: Fi’zi:k
Cockpits: Canyon
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic Ti
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Quarq
Other: Elite Cannibal bottle cages
Contact: Canyon

NTT Cycling Team

The NTT team (formerly Dimension Data) still rides BMC, with these magnificent Timemachine and Roadmachine, which riders will choose depending on the terrain. With Enve wheels and components, in addition to the Dura-Ace drivetrain and Rotor crankset, BMC bikes are among the most desirable machines in the peloton.

Frames and forks: BMC Timemachine and Teammachine SLR 01 Disc
Wheels: Enve
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc (excluding Rotor crankset)
Tires: Vittoria Corsa
Saddles: Selle Italia
Cockpits: Enve Road / BMC ICS 1.0
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Rotor 2InPower
Other: KMC X 11 SL chains, Tacx Ciro bottle cages
Contact: BMC

Team Sunweb

At Sunweb, riders will have the choice between the aerodynamic S5 model with its distinctive shapes and the R5 for climbing, in its rim brake version. Full Shimano equipment, from groupset to wheels, pedals and power meter for Michael Matthews’ team.

Frame and fork: Cervelo S5 Disc and R5
Wheels: Shimano
Groupsets: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Tires: Continental Competition
Saddles: PRO Falcon
Cockpits: Cervélo / PRO Vibe
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Sigma Rox 12.0
Power meters: Shimano
Other: Elite Custom Race Plus bottle cages
Contact: Cervelo

Trek – Segafredo

The riders of the Trek Segafredo team, Vincenzo Nibali, Richie Porte, world champion Mads Pedersen or Frenchman Kenny Elissonde at the forefront, have the choice between two machines: the Madone and Emonda, both with disc braking and a Sram Red eTap AXS groupset. For the cobbled classics, they can also count on the Domane SLR. It should be noted that for this season, the riders of the Italian-American team are using 54-41 chainrings (still with a 13-tooth difference), instead of the 50-37 combination planned for this 12-speed drivetrain with a cassette starting at 10 teeth.

Frames and forks: Trek Madone SLR, Emonda and Domane Disc
Wheels: Bontrager XXX
Groupsets: Sram Red eTap AXS 12-speed (54-41 crankset)
Tires: Pirelli PZero
Saddles: Bontrager
Cockpits: Bontrager XXX
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bike computers: Garmin Edge
Power meters: Quarq
Other: Bontrager XXX Water Bottle Cage bottle cages
Contact: Trek

UAE Team Emirates

Team UAE remains faithful to rim brakes for now, even though this Colnago V3RS is the latest version from the Italian manufacturer. The rest of the equipment is in keeping, with only Italian brands (groupset, wheels, components), except for the pedals which are Look Keo.

Frames and forks: Colnago V3RS
Wheels: Campagnolo
Groupsets: Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12-speed
Tires: Vittoria Corsa
Saddles: Prologo
Cockpits: Deda
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic Ti
Bike computers: Stages
Power meters: Stages
Other: Elite bottle cages
Contact: Colnago

=> SEE ALSO : All our Gear articles