The Bike Computers & Power Meters of the Tour de France – DC Rainmaker
As with smart trainers, bike computers and power meters are theoretically fully sponsored on almost every team. However, in reality, that doesn’t mean that’s actually what those riders are using – something that came true this year in both categories.
In the above video I go through the teams to see what they’re actually using out on race day, despite what their sponsorships say. In addition, I talk to some of the riders and staff along the way. Oh, and there are washing machines. Beyond that, it’s just a fun look behind the scenes at the craziness that is the start of a Tour de France stage and rush to get everyone to the starting line.
Nonetheless, if you’re just looking for the stats, here ya go!
As one can see, Shimano dominates here, but that’s simply because Shimano sponsors the most teams for their drivetrains. This is a very simple formula, and Shimano throws the most money at it. It’s not clear to me why all the teams aren’t on the newer R9200 series verses the older R9100 Dura-Ace cranksets. The older R9100P is known for being inaccurate, the jury is still very much out on the R9200P (I have one in for testing and have been putting it through it’s paces – full review soon).
AG2R Citroën Team: Power2Max NG
Alpecin–Deceuninck: Shimano R9200P
Arkéa–Samsic: Shimano R9100P
Astana Qazaqstan: Shimano R9100P
Bahrain Victorious: Shimano R9200P
B&B Hotels–KTM: FSA PowerBox
BikeExchange–Jayco: Shimano R9100P
Bora–Hansgrohe: Shimano R9100P
Cofidis: SRM PM7
DSM: Shimano R9100P
EF Education–EasyPost: Power2Max NG
Groupama–FDJ: Shimano R9200P
Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux: Shimano R9100P
Ineos Grenadiers: Shimano R9100P
Israel–Premier Tech: ROTOR INSpider
Jumbo–Visma: Shimano R9100P
Lotto–Soudal: 4iiii Precision & Shimano R9200P
Movistar Team: SRAM AXS
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl: Shimano R9200P
TotalEnergies-Cyclists: Shimano R9100P
Trek–Segafredo: SRAM Quarq AXS
UAE Team Emirates: SRM PM7
The one notable quirk in the above was Lotto-Soudal. It’s very much a 4iiii sponsored team, and there were 4iiii-equipped bikes there. Yet, when push came to shove, as the riders were heading out, they clearly had Shimano R9200P units on some of their bikes. Odd.
For these, I’ve denoted what the official sponsor is next to each team. G = Garmin, W = Wahoo, S = SRM, and B = Bryton. Note that in one case, Team Bahrain, there is no official Garmin sponsorship of the team, it’s just them using it. Within this, the riders are generally allowed to choose which head unit they want on that brand’s portfolio. In the case of Garmin, most riders choose the Edge 830, but some have selected the newer Edge 1040 Solar.
AG2R Citroën Team (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
Alpecin–Deceuninck (W): Garmin Edge 830
Arkéa–Samsic (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
Astana Qazaqstan (G): Garmin Edge 830
Bahrain Victorious: Garmin Edge 830
B&B Hotels–KTM (G): Garmin Edge 830
BikeExchange–Jayco (G): Garmin Edge 830
Bora–Hansgrohe (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
Cofidis (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
DSM (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
EF Education–EasyPost (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
Groupama–FDJ (G): Garmin Edge 830 + Edge 1030 Plus
Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux (B): Bryton Rider S800
Ineos Grenadiers (G): Edge 830, Edge 1040 Solar
Israel–Premier Tech (H): Hammerhead Karoo 2 & Garmin Edge 530
Jumbo–Visma (G): Garmin Edge 830 & Edge 130 Plus
Lotto–Soudal (G): Garmin Edge 830 & Edge 1030 Plus
Movistar Team (G): Garmin Edge 830 & Edge 1040 Solar
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl (G): Garmin Edge 830 & Edge 1040 Solar
TotalEnergies-Cyclists (G): Garmin Edge 830
Trek–Segafredo (W): Wahoo BOLT V2
UAE Team Emirates (S): SRM PC8
Probably the most notable Garmin Edge related tidbit was when I asked one of the Quick-Step riders in the video why he selected the Edge 1040 Solar specifically, and he had a surprisingly well thought-out answer. For the most part, many of the riders just use what’s handed to him. But this guy went to down on his answer. Impressive.
With that, I’ll be out there today at the women’s race, checking out their gear. I’m super interested to see how that shakes out, compared to years past.
Thanks for reading!
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Hi Ray! Does Jumbo Visma really use Egde 130 plus, or should it be Egde 1030 plus?
It’s really the 130. I noticed in Wout’s Strava activity from the TT yesterday that he used the 130, presumably because of the smaller size.
Bauke Mollema (Trek Team) is ridding without the Bike Computer, he explained on Dutch television that during the race he is riding on his feeling… And for the team arts he has the bike computer in his back pocket to collect the data for the team…
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Ray,
Since both you and GPLlama tested the Shimano power meter as inaccurate, what does this tell you about all those teams using it? Do you think it means they don’t really use power numbers in the race? Does it mean Shimano fixed the inaccuracies? Or the teams don’t know?
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