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TECH NEWS

Tinkoff-Saxo swap SRAM for Shimano, Zipp for Roval and FSA

Tinkoff-Saxo continue to ride Specialized in 2015 but with new wheels and groupsets

Following the unveiling of their eyebrow raising camo kit yesterday, Tinkoff-Saxo's first training camp in preparation for the 2015 season gave us a first glimpse at what they'll be riding next season. They'll continue with Specialized, riding for the most part the brand new Tarmac, but they've swapped from SRAM to Shimano and Zipp wheels and finishing kit to Roval and FSA respectively.

It was rumoured this year that Tinkoff-Saxo might swap suppliers. They had already started using Roval wheels alongside their existing Zipp wheels as far back as the Tour de France, and when we had a good look at Oleg Tinkoff's own bike (he likes to ride with the team on rest days and training camps as much as he can) it was fully kitted out with Shimano, and given how much influence he has on the team, there were some expecting the team to move over to the Japanese supplier. These photos confirm that has happened for 2015. 

We've not yet had a proper close look at the bikes, but based on these photos they're clearly riding Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets, the most popular groupset in the professional peloton at the moment. It does strangely look like they're using SRAM Red brake calipers though, but we'll confirm that when we do get a closer look at the bikes.

They've also swapped the Specialized S-Works carbon crankset with SRAM chainrings for FSA chainsets, and continue with SRM Power Meters to measure their power output.

The other bike change is the change from Zipp to Roval wheels, the wheel brand owned by Specialized - the bicycle manufacturer will no doubt be behind this push to promote the wheel brand to the pro peloton and raise their profile. Zipp used to supply handlebars, stems and seatposts also, but FSA have been brought in for 2015, along with chainsets. It does look like Prologo will continue as saddle supplier. 

This news means that Shimano are even more dominant in the professional peloton. There are 18 WorldTour teams and this season Shimano supplied 10 of them, with SRAM just three, while Campagnolo have five teams. Unless there are any other groupset changes for other teams, SRAM are heading into the 2015 season with just two top-tier teams riding their kit.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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9 comments

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FlatericFan | 9 years ago
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You would have to prise my Zipps from my cold dead hands ........ but I guess im not getting free bike stuff  3

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sethpistol | 10 years ago
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only 1 team left on SRAM for 2015  3

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darrenleroy | 10 years ago
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I like the paintwork and the graphics on the bikes featured in the article. Nice and plain and easy to spot.

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Super Domestique | 10 years ago
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Anyone know if Astana still have a deal with Spesh or if that might be near an end?

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Vili Er | 10 years ago
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A hell of a lot of wins last year by Campagnolo equiped teams including two GT's. I'm hedging my bets on those 5 WT teams increasing in 2015...

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badback | 10 years ago
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All good stuff. I wonder if you'll get a few of the riders specifying that they want a mechanical groupset instead ?

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Paul J | 10 years ago
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He'll just go with a smaller inner ring to get the same range.

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Geordie Simon | 10 years ago
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Interesting article, Shimano do a medium cage rear mech for Di2 and 11-32 cassettes so I think he's covered. Tinkoff had made it clear they were switching to Shimano earlier in the year, he's not a fan of SRAM

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othello | 10 years ago
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I wonder what Bertie will think of the switch from SRAM? He has been a big user of SRAM WiFli wide range cassettes and the medium cage rear mech, to let him stay in the big ring longer, especially when climbing. Shimano don't offer that.

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