Competitions

Inside Team Vacansoleil-DCM-Ridley: the secrets of the Ridley bikes

Details

Parent Category: Competitions

Category: Race 2011

Published on Thursday, 28 April 2011 07:45

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Thanks to: Ridley, DCM, Vacansoleil, Fast Forward, Etixx, Vredestein, Rotor, KMC, Tacx, Morgan Blue, Lazer, Selle San Marco, Deda Elementi, Forza, SMS Santini

Go to Photo Gallery

Team Vacansoleil-DCM-Ridley uses three different types of bikes: Ridley Noah, Ridley Helium, Ridley Damocles, and for the time trial, Ridley Dean.

 The sprinters have two and a helium Ridley Noah, while others have two Noah and Helium. Three athletes use the frame Damocles, made to measure. The Ridley Noah is considered excellent for flat races, while the Helium behaves very well on each path, since its weight is at the limit of the UCI regulations. The frames are standard and non-technical solutions are different than the models available from the dealer network Ridley. There are two custom made cosmetics for the National Champion Belgian and Ukrainian. The wheels, stem, handlebar and saddle no difference compared to regular models on the market. We have major differences in the SRAM Red group. The group is adopted for the brakes, controls and the rear derailleur. The front derailleur, however, is always Sram Red, but specially made by SRAM for Ridley, has the steel cage and not aluminum, this solution makes it a little heavier than the regular market, but more rigid and precise. The team has pointed out that the aluminum cage, under its sharp and powerful Pro athletes tend to a slight deformation which makes his actions less accurate and reliable over time. With the steel cage, however, the problem goes away. The sprocket Sram Red is used only sporadically, is generally considered an excellent product, but wear a little early and once again drive for the heavy use to which athletes submit it. We therefore prefer to use the steel sprockets made specifically for the team who also have the advantage of being able to be assembled at will, allowing a correct choice of the right scale of the sprocket. Another important difference occurs in the KMC chain, this chain is a normal standard, but is modified in its closure. The peculiarity of the KMC chains is the ability to be opened and closed without tools, but this solution is not considered reliable by the team, because a strong shaking of the chain may also lead to the opening of the same, for safety, then, the chain is closed amended with a pin that can only be opened with a laddered chain. Another distinctive crank Rotor 3D, judged smoother and stiffer than that of SRAM Red, also oval crowns are welcomed, though not used by all athletes. The team is convinced that the oval crowns give a certain advantage, but does not require athletes to use them. Instead used the chain guide Rotor, because light and because it will avoid the removal of the chain. Another peculiarity is the development of the brakes. Standard brakes are used Sram Red, already among the most powerful around, but you are also experiencing an even more extreme with the brakes of Lateral Pull Tektro R725, which offer a more powerful brake and a lever stroke more reduced. This solution, for the moment, is used by a single athlete. Instead particular the development of the brake assembly. The lever that allows the opening of the brake assembly, for disassembly of the wheel is left open, and adjusts the brake pads away from the rim. In race the athlete can adjust the distance pads from the wheel rim so that the brake pad distance does not change during the race. Another peculiarity is the use of liquid anti drilling for tyres. Adoption of other technical solutions, but these are already more than enough to mark a boundary between a bike Pro and that of a amateur. While the latter is so determined to follow the light at any cost, or ease of maintenance, a bike Pro is built with the aim of achieving maximum effectiveness. A chain that does not open and that comes out of his home, a sprocket and derailleur reliable heavier components, but with greater functionality. Same goes for the brakes and the use of liquid anti drilling tubular. In conclusion, the team Vacansoleil Ridley-DCM showed a significant development and a highly competent team of mechanics who were able to perfectly interpret the wishes of their athletes.