{"id":51806,"date":"2023-07-14T18:25:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=738755"},"modified":"2023-07-14T18:35:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:35:55","slug":"tyre-talk-at-the-tour-de-france-wide-rims-wide-tyres-and-tubeless-mostly-dominate-at-the-2023-tour","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/tyre-talk-at-the-tour-de-france-wide-rims-wide-tyres-and-tubeless-mostly-dominate-at-the-2023-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyre talk at the Tour de France | Wide rims, wide tyres and tubeless (mostly) dominate at the 2023 Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

A close look at the wheel and tyre setups being used at the biggest race of the year <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 14 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Extracting the best performance out of tyres has always been something of a dark art within pro cycling.<\/p>\n

In years gone by, team mechanics would reportedly age the team\u2019s tubular tyres in cellars<\/a>, but at least (almost) everyone used the same tech.<\/p>\n

These days, mechanics at the Tour de France<\/a> have to manage the varying choices (and restraints) of individual riders, team performance directors and sponsors.<\/p>\n

Tubeless tyres of differing sizes and tubeless sealant<\/a>, clincher tyres and latex or TPU inner tubes<\/a>, or tubular tyres and rim cement<\/a>. Things aren\u2019t as simple as they once were.<\/p>\n

At the Grand D\u00e9part of this year\u2019s race, we toured the team hotels with our notebooks and vernier calipers in hand, dissecting the wheel and tyre setups of some of the biggest names in the sport.<\/p>\n

While wider tubeless tyres<\/a> continue to gain traction within the pro peloton on the macro level, almost every team was doing something slightly different with its own mix of equipment and performance philosophies.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at what we learned.<\/p>\n

Wide tyres on wide rims<\/h2>\n
\""Tadej\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4Rs with super-sized Continental Grand Prix5000 TT TR tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Coming into this year\u2019s race, my expectation was that most teams would be running 28c tubeless tyres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Yet while we did see a number of such setups, it wasn\u2019t universal.<\/p>\n

It also appears that the wheels each team has access to is having a large influence on tyre choice and tyre size.<\/p>\n

Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s super-sized time trial tyres<\/h3>\n
\""Continental\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
TT tyres for Tadej.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4RsIt\u2019s not so long ago that 25c tyres were considered \u2018wide\u2019 for pro racing, but Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s Colnago V4Rs is a clear sign that things have changed significantly in recent years.<\/p>\n

As first revealed in our recent 2023 Tour tech trends<\/a> article, his bike was shod with 28c Continental GP5000 TT TR<\/a> tyres (the lighter and faster time trial-specific version, rather than standard GP5000 S TR<\/a>) on ENVE SES 4.5<\/a> wheels.<\/p>\n

\""Tadej\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
31.3mm for Poga\u010dar\u2019s front tyre.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

That isn\u2019t out of the ordinary on paper, but his tyres actually measured an enormous 31.3mm and 32.2mm-wide, front and rear.<\/p>\n

The reason behind this is the super-wide internal rim width of the ENVE rims. At 25mm, these rims have some of the widest internal widths of any road bike wheelset<\/a> available today.<\/p>\n

In fact, it\u2019s firmly in territory we\u2019d associate with gravel bike wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Tadej\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
And 32.2mm for the rear.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

According to ENVE, this offers riders a wider effective tyre, which can be run at lower tyre pressures<\/a>, theoretically reducing rolling resistance and improving comfort and grip.<\/p>\n

Crucially, this is claimed to be achieved without an associated aerodynamic penalty, as the rim \u2013 at 32mm wide externally \u2013 is optimised for this.<\/p>\n

As we speculated at the time, Poga\u010dar has indeed changed at least his wheelset setup depending on the stage parcours.<\/p>\n

\""TOPSHOT\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Poga\u010dar swapped to shallower rims for the Puy de D\u00f4me mountaintop finish on stage nine.<\/span><\/figcaption> MARCO BERTORELLO\/AFP via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For stage nine\u2019s mountain top finish on the Puy de D\u00f4me, Poga\u010dar switched to ENVE\u2019s ultralight SES 2.3 climbing wheelset<\/a>. At a claimed weight of 1,197g, this switch saves a claimed 255g compared to the deeper and wider SES 4.5 rims.<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar was still using the GP5000 TT TR tyres, although we\u2019re not sure whether he changed widths to suit the narrower dimensions of the SES 2.3 rims (these measure 25mm externally and are aerodynamically optimised for a 27c tyre, according to ENVE), and help save every last gram.<\/p>\n

Fat tyres for a climbing bike<\/h3>\n
\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Simon Clarke\u2019s featherweight Factor O2 VAM didn\u2019t need skinny tyres to keep its weight down.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While some riders at this year\u2019s Tour appear to have been running narrower tyres to help get their bike weight down (we\u2019ll reveal who later), not every team needs to adopt this tactic.<\/p>\n

Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s new Factor 02 VAM<\/a>, for example, is light enough that Simon Clarke was still able to run wider, heavier tyres on it and still graze the UCI\u2019s minimum weight limit of 6.8kg.<\/p>\n

\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A set of 28c Continental GP5000 S TR tyres measured over 30mm wide on Clarke\u2019s new Black Inc wheels.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Clarke\u2019s bike was equipped with (non-sponsor correct) 28c Continental GP5000 S TR tyres, which measured 30.6mm-wide on Black Inc\u2019s new 28||34 climbing wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On our scales, Clarke\u2019s bike weighed a feathery 6.925kg \u2013 with pedals and a bottle cage \u2013 making it the lightest bike we saw at this year\u2019s Grand D\u00e9part.<\/p>\n

Ineos-Grenadiers still on the hunt for marginal gains<\/h3>\n
\""Egan\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Egan Bernal\u2019s Pinarello Dogma F had a few tricks up its sleeve.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When we saw Egan Bernal\u2019s Pinarello Dogma F on the eve of the first stage, it was equipped with Continental GP5000 S TR tyres on Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheels.<\/p>\n

Again, so far, so normal.<\/p>\n

A quick check with the vernier calipers revealed a potential marginal gain typically employed by the British squad, however.<\/p>\n

\""Egan\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Bernal\u2019s bike had a narrower tyre up front for improved aerodynamics.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Up front, Bernal had a narrower 25c tyre, measuring 27mm-wide, paired with a wider 28c tyre, measuring 29.8mm, out back.<\/p>\n

Given the Shimano wheels have a relatively conservative design (especially in contrast to Poga\u010dar\u2019s ENVE\u2019s), I believe this combination was designed to optimise for aerodynamic efficiency on the leading edge of the bike and rolling resistance and comfort at the rear.<\/p>\n

\""Egan\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
At the rear, a wider tyre, as seen on Bernal\u2019s bike, can potentially improve comfort and decrease rolling resistance.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kai Eves \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Dura-Ace C50 rim has an external rim width of 28mm, and an internal rim width of 21mm.<\/p>\n

Given the 28c tyre on the rear wheel measured 29.8mm-wide, running this combination on the front would likely compromise the aerodynamic efficiency of the wheel and tyre system.<\/p>\n

\""Egan\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Shimano Dura-Ace rims aren\u2019t the widest available, so picking a narrower front tyre should help optimise its aerodynamic performance.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This is because, as a rule of thumb, the rim should generally be slightly wider than the tyre for optimal aerodynamic performance (as when the tyre is wider than the rim, it\u2019s more difficult for the rim to recapture and smooth the airflow).<\/p>\n

At the rear of the bike, where the airflow is understandably much messier, aerodynamic performance matters less. Given this, Ineos perhaps feels the potential rolling resistance benefits of a wider tyre<\/a> are worth more than any increase in drag here.<\/p>\n

\""Caleb\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Caleb Ewan was also running a narrow front tyre, paired with a wider rear one.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Notably, Lotto-Dstny\u2019s sprinter, Caleb Ewan, had a similar setup on his prototype Ridley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His bike was set up with a pair of DT Swiss wheels ARC 1100 50 DB<\/a> wheels (which have a 20mm internal width and a 27mm external width), with a 26c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR<\/a> tyre up front and a 28c version at the rear.<\/p>\n

Ewan\u2019s front tyre measured 26.5mm-wide, which is likely a good aerodynamic match for this rim.<\/p>\n

\""Caleb\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ewan\u2019s rear tyre was a 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Some \u2018normal\u2019 setups<\/h2>\n

Not everyone had an unusual or non-standard setup, however. 28c tyres front and rear was, as suspected, a popular choice.<\/p>\n

Standard tyres on custom bikes<\/h3>\n
\""Mathieu\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Mathieu van der Poel\u2019s Canyon Aeroad CFR had 28c Vitorria Corsa Pro TLR tyres front and rear.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Mathieu van der Poel\u2019s custom Canyon Aeroad CFR<\/a> (or perhaps we should say \u2018one of his custom Aeroads\u2026\u2019, given the Dutchman has ridden three different custom bikes at this year\u2019s Tour already) was equipped with 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres both front and rear, on Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheels.<\/p>\n

According to our calipers, these measured 29.3mm-wide \u2013 slightly wider than the 28mm external rim width of the wheelset.<\/p>\n

\""Mathieu\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
On the Shimano Dura-Ace C50 rims, van der Poel\u2019s Vittoria tyres measured 29.3mm-wide.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

EF Education-EasyPost\u2019s Ecuadorian climber, Richard Carapaz, also had a pair of 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres mounted to Vision Metron 45 SL wheels.<\/p>\n

Considering the Vision rims have the same 21mm internal rim width as the Shimano ones, it was no surprise to see these also measured 29.3mm wide.<\/p>\n

\""Richard\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Richard Carapaz also had 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres measuring 29.3mm-wide, front and rear.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Unfortunately, the reigning Olympic road race champion crashed out of the race on the opening stage, meaning a full pro bike feature<\/a> on his custom, gold-accented Cannondale SuperSix Evo Lab71<\/a> is unlikely to see the light of day. We\u2019ve included it here as a treat, though.<\/p>\n

\""Richard\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Richard Carapaz\u2019s custom Cannondale SuperSix Evo Lab71 was something to behold.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Astana Qazaqstan\u2019s Mark Cavendish (who also sadly crashed out of the race on stage eight, after coming agonisingly close to a record-breaking 35th stage win the previous day) had a similar tyre setup, albeit on different wheels which appears to have affected the effective width of these tyres.<\/p>\n

\""Mark\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Mark Cavendish\u2019s Wilier Filante SLR had 28c Vittoria tyres too, but they came up a little narrower on his HED Vanquish rims.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

His custom Wilier Filante SLR<\/a> was also shod with 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres front and rear.<\/p>\n

On his HED Vanquish RC6 Pro wheelset, though, which have a 21mm internal and 30.6mm external rim width, these measured only 27.4mm-wide.<\/p>\n

\""Mark\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
At 27.4mm-wide, Cavendish\u2019s tyres were a little narrower than some other riders\u2019 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although this was slated to be the Manxman\u2019s final Tour de France, might we see a true last hurrah (and, hopefully, another custom bike) for the two-time green jersey winner<\/a> next year instead?<\/p>\n

According to L\u2019Equipe, Astana Qazaqstan\u2019s team manager, Alexander Vinokourov<\/a>, has offered Cavendish a spot on the team for 2024, so our fingers remain crossed.<\/p>\n

\""Mark\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Is this Mark Cavendish\u2019s last custom Tour de France bike? We certainly hope not.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

New Schwalbe tyres for Kristoff?<\/h3>\n
\""Alexander\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Alexander Kristoff\u2019s Dare VSRu had a set of non-standard Schwalbe Pro One TLE tyres on it.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Fellow sprinter and four-time Tour de France stage winner, Alexander Kirstoff<\/a> (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), was also running identically-sized Schwalbe Pro One TLE<\/a> tyres front and rear on his Dare VRSu.<\/p>\n

Labelled as 28c, these measured 27.7mm-wide on Kristoff\u2019s DT Swiss ARC 1100 62 DB wheels.<\/p>\n

\""Alexander\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Labelled 28c, Kristoff\u2019s Schwalbe tyres measured 27.7mm-wide on the DT Swiss rims.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

These rims have the same 20mm internal and 27mm external width as on Ewan\u2019s DT Swiss wheelset. As the name implies, though, the rims are 12mm deeper.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Kristoff\u2019s tyres had a blue bead strip and branding \u2013 something which isn\u2019t present on the Schwalbe Pro One TLE tyres currently available.<\/p>\n

\n
\""Alexander\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Uno-X team mechanics use little rim stickers to keep track of how much tubeless sealant is in each tyre, and when it was added. According to this one, this tyre had 40ml of sealant added on 27 June.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Could this be a new version of the German brand\u2019s highly-rated tubeless tyre<\/a>? Sadly, Uno-X team mechanics were tight-lipped on the subject.<\/p>\n

We couldn\u2019t help but notice the blue bead and branding was also present on the 165g Schwalbe Pro One Aerothan prototype tubeless tyre<\/a> we spotted at EuroBike<\/a> last month, though, suggesting there might be a connection between the two.<\/p>\n

Given the rapid progression \u2013 and release schedule \u2013 of the latest tubeless road tyres, could Schwalbe be preparing to launch something new?<\/p>\n

\""Alexander\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Could this blue-branded Pro One TLE be an unreleased update to Schwalbe\u2019s popular all-rounder road tubeless tyre?<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A few narrow tyres on narrow rims<\/h2>\n
\""Jonas\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S5 was equipped with a set of narrow tubular tyres before the race start.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019d had asked us before the Tour whether we\u2019d see any tyres narrower than 25mm-wide, our answer would almost certainly have been a firm \u2018Non\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n

To our surprise, though, we saw a set of 24c tubular tyres (which measured 24.4mm-wide) mounted to a bike belonging to Jumbo-Visma, one of the most technologically progressive teams in the peloton.<\/p>\n

And not just anyone\u2019s bike, but one belonging to last year\u2019s yellow jersey<\/a> winner, Jonas Vingegaard.<\/p>\n

\""Jonas\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
At just 24.4mm-wide, Vingegaard\u2019s bike had the narrowest set of tyres we saw at this year\u2019s Grand D\u00e9part.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Notably, these were mounted to a set of Reserve 34|37 tubular wheels, the team\u2019s climbing wheelset.<\/p>\n

Given this combination was mounted to Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S5<\/a> (the Canadian brand\u2019s aero road bike<\/a>), we suspect it was intended to help get bike weight as low as possible for the Tour\u2019s hilly opening stages around Bilbao, Spain.<\/p>\n

This strategy was successful, too, as Vingegaard\u2019s bike weighed an impressive 7.195kg on our scales \u2013 a full kilogram less than the Cerv\u00e9lo S5 Force eTap AXS<\/a> we reviewed last year.<\/p>\n

\""Jonas\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This lightweight wheel and tyre combo played its part in getting Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S5 down to an impressively low weight.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Dutch team hasn\u2019t been in full weight-weenie mode for the entire Tour, however.<\/p>\n

Instead, Jumbo-Visma riders appear to be switching wheelsets and tyres to suit the varying demands of each stage.<\/p>\n

For example, Last year\u2019s green jersey winner, Wout Van Aert, used the super-wide Reserve 52|63 wheelset paired with Vittoria Corsa Speed G2.0 TLR time trial tyres for the flat fourth stage.<\/p>\n

\""Wout\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jumbo-Visma riders have been switching between different wheels and tyres depending on the demands of each stage. For example, Wout Van Aert used a Reserve 52|63 wheelset paired with Vittoria Corsa Speed tyres for stage four (pictured here).<\/span><\/figcaption> David Ramos\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

With internal and external widths of 25 and 35mm on the front rim, and 24 and 34mm on the rear, a 28c tyre (the smallest tyre size recommended by current ETRTO standards<\/a> for rims this wide) on these rims is \u2013 as on Poga\u010dar\u2019s ENVE rims \u2013 likely to measure well over 31mm-wide.<\/p>\n

In fact, a set of the 28c Vittoria Corsa TLR G2.0 tyres<\/a> (the predecessor to the recently launched Corsa Pro TLR<\/a>) paired to the same wheelset, which featured on the Cerv\u00e9lo S5 test bike mentioned a moment ago, measures 31.7mm wide at just 60PSI\/4.1 BAR.<\/p>\n

\""2023\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The massive internal width Reserve 52|63 rims means 28c tyres end up much wider than their labelled sizes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Vingegaard, meanwhile, appears to have been oscillating between the setup mentioned above and the Reserve 40|44 wheelset paired with Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres.<\/p>\n

The 40|44 rims have internal and external widths of 25.5 and 33mm on the front, and 25 and 31mm on the rear, so we suspect these would also be paired with 28c tyres.<\/p>\n

\""Jonas\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Vingegaard has also been using different wheel and tyre setups depending on the stage. For stage eleven, for example, he switched to Reserve 40|44 wheels with Vittoria Corsa Pro tubeless tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Michael Steele\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

By choice or by chance?<\/h3>\n
\""Alexis\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Alexis Renard\u2019s Look 795 Blade RS had a distinctly old-school wheel and tyre setup.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Over at Cofidis, meanwhile, Alexis Renard\u2019s new Look 795 Blade RS<\/a> was equipped with 25c Michelin Power Cup<\/a> tubular tyres (which measured exactly 25mm-wide), mounted on Corima WS Black DX wheels.<\/p>\n

As one of the oldest teams in the WorldTour peloton, enjoying a resurgence at this year\u2019s Tour with two stages wins so far, is this simply a case of Cofidis being behind the curve on technological innovations?<\/p>\n

\""Alexis\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Renard\u2019s 25c Michelin tubulars measured exactly 25mm wide.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After all, most aero-focussed road bike wheelsets<\/a> have grown steadily wider in recent years, following the same trend for tyres.<\/p>\n

As discussed on the BikeRadar Podcast<\/a>, though, Cofidis may have simply picked this tyre width as that\u2019s what\u2019s optimal for the wheels it has available from its sponsor, Corima.<\/p>\n

We did spot spare wheels equipped with wider, tubeless versions of the same Michelin Power Cup tyres on top of a team car, but none of the French brand\u2019s road wheelsets are as progressive (in terms of rim shape) as those from the likes of ENVE<\/a>, Zipp<\/a>, Reserve<\/a> or Hunt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Alexis\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Corima\u2019s rim designs aren\u2019t the most progressive in the pro peloton.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Considering the WS Black DX wheels have a 26mm external width, a 25mm tyre is likely the optimum choice from an aero perspective.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible, therefore, that Renard would prefer wider tyres and wheels, but chose (or was given) this setup within the constraints of the equipment that\u2019s available to him.<\/p>\n

That said, Renard (and his team) may also be perfectly happy with this combination. Unfortunately, we\u2019ll likely never know.<\/p>\n

What about clinchers?<\/h2>\n
\""Ben\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ben O\u2019Connor\u2019s prototype BMC was equipped with Pirelli P Zero Race clincher tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Tubeless wheels and tyres have been \u2018taking over\u2019 the pro peloton<\/a> for a number of years now, replacing the more traditional tubular systems.<\/p>\n

A close look at the bunch shows a few teams are opting for clincher setups instead, though.<\/p>\n

AG2R-Critoen\u2019s Ben O\u2019Connor, for example, had his prototype BMC aero road bike set up with 28c Pirelli P Zero Race clincher tyres. These measured 30.2mm wide on his Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45<\/a> wheels.<\/p>\n

\""Ben\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Nominally a 28c, O\u2019Connor\u2019s Pirelli tyres measured up at 30.2mm.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Eyeballing the distinctive black valve stem, we also think he had Pirelli\u2019s 35g (claimed weight) P Zero Smartube thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) inner tubes.<\/p>\n

As with Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S5, we suspect this combination was chosen for its impressively low weight, as O\u2019Connor\u2019s size 58cm bike weighed just 7.335kg on our scales.<\/p>\n

\""Ben\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
That black valve stem looks very much like those found on Pirelli\u2019s ultralight Smarttube TPU inner tubes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The more things change, the more they stay the same<\/h3>\n

Specialized-sponsored teams, meanwhile, continue to use a tyre released almost 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

Despite the American brand releasing two new tubeless tyres<\/a> this year, as well as updated tubeless-ready wheelsets<\/a> to complement them, both Team TotalEnergies and Soudal Quick-Step seem content to continue with Specialized\u2019s Turbo Cotton<\/a> clinchers.<\/p>\n

Considering the new Roval Rapide CLX II wheelset<\/a> is around 100g heavier than the previous, clincher-only version<\/a>, it could again be riders opting for the marginally lower weight of a clincher setup.<\/p>\n

\""Roval\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
These Turbo Cotton clincher tyres are a pretty old design, but the Specialized-sponsored teams seem to prefer them over newer tubeless options.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Alternatively, with their open tubular design, it might also be that the pro riders prefer the tubular-esque ride quality of the Turbo Cotton tyres.<\/p>\n

Or, perhaps because Soudal Quick-Step has had so much success on this setup in recent years \u2013 including wins at the 2021 Tour of Flanders<\/a> with Kasper Asgreen, and the UCI Road World Championships with Julian Alaphilippe<\/a> in the same year \u2013 the Belgian team may simply be choosing to stick with what it knows and likes while it still has a choice.<\/p>\n

Whatever the answer, we suspect these teams are pairing those tyres with either latex or TPU inner tubes, both of which offer significantly lower rolling resistance and weight than standard butyl tubes.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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