Shimano riders sprint with two chainrings
The "fast guys" are naturally on fast material. More exciting than the aerodynamically optimised racing bikes of the top sprinters is their choice of gearing. We saw drivetrains with a single chainring as well as classic double variants. As only SRAM currently offers a mono chainring for the top Red AXS groupset, 1x12 drivetrains naturally dominate for teams with components from the US manufacturer. One exception among the pros with Shimano is Phil Bauhaus, who rides with a Digirit chainring.
Special set-up for Phil Bauhaus
Germany's sprint hopeful Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain - Victorious) had been given a special setup by his mechanics for the eighth stage. Born in Bocholt, he is the only Bahrain pro to ride a 1x12 drivetrain. As equipment supplier Shimano does not offer a mono chainring for the Dura-Ace groupset, chief mechanic Filip Tisma had to resort to a model from Taiwanese specialist Digirit.
The elegant carbon chainrings are also used by other teams such as Soudal Quick-Step or Alpecin - Deceuninck in use. Bauhaus uses a 54, 11-30 tooth ratio on the flat section. Digirit lists the chainring alone at a price of 301 US dollars (approx. 257 euros). Bauhaus' spare wheel on the team car, however, was fitted with a "classic" double drivetrain with a 56/44 tooth chainring combination and an 11-30 cassette.
Milan with a smaller translation than Bauhaus and Meeus
Together with Meeus, the rider from Bocholt has the highest gear available for the slightly uphill finish: The 56 chainring combines the duo with an 11-30 cassette. Surprising: Milan took a comparatively defensive approach to the stage when choosing the gearbox. A 54-tooth chainring and a 10-36-tooth cassette are fitted to the Italian's workhorse.
Almost all top sprinters also rely on additional shift buttons in the handlebar arch. On Groves' racer, we also noticed the small brake disc on the front wheel. The Australian rides a Dura-Ace model with 140 millimetres on the front wheel; 160 millimetres are standard. The racer from Meeus differs from his Red Bull team-mates in his choice of tyres. Instead of the Turbo Cotton, the Belgian rolls on the RapidAir from Specialized.
The translations of the top sprinters
- Pascal Ackermann | Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12, 56/44, 11-34 t.)
- Phil Bauhaus | Shimano Dura-Ace/Digirit (1x12, 56, 11-30 t.)
- Binjam Girmay | Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 56/44, 11-34 t.)
- Kaden Groves | Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12, 55/40, 11-30 t.)
- Jordi Meeus | SRAM Red AXS (1x12, 56, 10-30 t.)
- Jonathan Milan | SRAM Red AXS (1x12; 54, 10-36 t.)
Julian Schultz
Editor
