Team bikes of the Tour de France: IAM Cycling

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· 19.07.2014

Team bikes of the Tour de France: IAM Cycling

Photo: Jens Klötzer

Every day during the Tour of France, the TOUR reporters present an original team bike on which the pros are tackling the Tour. Today: the Scott of Roger Kluge, IAM Cycling.

In its second year of existence, the Swiss Pro-Continental team IAM Cycling was given the great honour of receiving a wildcard from the Tour organisers. The fact that two of the currently best-known French pros, Sylvain Chavanel and Jerôme Pineau, were signed before this season certainly played a role in this. In addition, the German-Australian Heinrich Haussler and Roger Kluge from Eisenhüttenstadt will also be pedalling for the Équipe, which is financed by an asset manager. This is Kluge's second Tour start. In 2010, the 28-year-old was part of the selection of the now defunct Team Milram.

Like the riders of Orica-Greenedge, the second team equipped by Scott, the IAM pros can choose between two frame models. Like four of his colleagues, Kluge opted for the aerodynamically optimised Foil model. The lightweight Addict SL model is also used, with which four IAM riders are travelling.

When it was launched in 2011, the Foil frame was one of the first carbon road frames to be developed with aerodynamic aspects in mind. The tube profiles were revolutionary at the time, as they were not tapered at the rear as is usual with aero frames. Instead, the cross-sections resemble a triangle with rounded corners, which promises a similar aerodynamic advantage to a fully moulded wing profile at the speeds common in cycling. At the same time, this tube shape allows the frames to be built as light as typical lightweight frames. Foil frames in TOUR tests weighed between 900 and 1,000 grams. In the wind tunnel test, the model also proved to be significantly faster than conventional round tube frames (TOUR-Test 2/2012).

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Roger Kluge brakes and shifts gears with the current Dura-Ace groupset from Shimano. Like the majority of professionals, he trusts the electronic Di2 shifting of the Dura-Ace. As IAM is not officially sponsored by Shimano, but has to buy its components, it can be assumed that the team management has deliberately chosen Di2. Another reason for the popularity of the electric drivetrain is that it saves the team mechanics a lot of stress. Once correctly adjusted, it is hardly any work at all, except after crashes during the three-week tour.

It is striking that, with the exception of Shimano and tyre sponsor Schwalbe, Swiss companies are predominantly involved in the construction of Kluges Foil. In addition to the frame from Scott, the aero wheels from DT Swiss are particularly eye-catching. In addition, pad specialist Swissstop is contributing its Black Prince brake pads, which were specially developed for carbon rims and are also very popular with other teams. The Swiss connection even comes into play in the handlebar/stem combination. Although manufacturer Ritchey comes from the USA, the brand's European headquarters are based in Ticino.

Unusual details on Kluge's bike include red anodised aluminium rollers with ceramic bearings, which have been fitted in place of the original derailleur rollers, and an RWS quick release from DT Swiss on the front hub. This tensioner, developed for disc brake hubs on mountain bikes, is designed for very high clamping forces. It has not yet been able to establish itself on road bikes because changing the wheel takes a little longer than with conventional quick-releases. However, this disadvantage has been eliminated thanks to a small lug on the counter nut that prevents it from turning. According to a team mechanic, changing the wheel should be just as quick as with the conventional solution. Further details of the wheel can be found in our picture gallery and the equipment list: