Jul 9, 4:45 PM EDT
Space-Age Bikes Give Tour Riders Edge
By JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press Writer
SAINT-DIZIER, France (AP) -- A bicycle's just a bicycle, right? Not for Lance Armstrong & Co.
The four-time champion and other Tour de France racers mounted space-age, aerodynamic bikes
Wednesday and donned teardrop-shaped helmets that slice through the air in an effort to make up
precious seconds in team time trials.
Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service squad won the trial, lifting the Texan into second place.
One of Armstrong's racing helmets bears the words: "Daddy Yo Yo." That's because his young son,
Luke, has called him that when Armstrong's worn the coveted yellow jersey given to Tour leaders.
"His son says 'Daddy's in yellow, yo-yo, yellow,'" said Scott Daubert of Trek Bicycle Corp., which
makes the champion's bikes.
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Space-Age Bikes Give Tour Riders Edge
Armstrong's bike Wednesday had an aerodynamic frame, handlebars and back wheel. Made from carbon
fiber and aluminum, it weighs more than 17.6 pounds - the exact weight is secret, Daubert said.
Although about 2.2 pounds heavier than the road bike Armstrong normally rides on the Tour, the extra
streamlining makes it faster.
"He will save 2 seconds per kilometer (about two-thirds of a mile) compared to his normal road
bike," Daubert said. "That's how slick this bike is."
The Trek road bikes ridden by Armstrong's teammates are largely blue. But Armstrong's is gray-black
- a color he chose to make a statement.
"He asked for black, he wanted something threatening," Daubert said.
Each bike costs about $4,500, but the champ's is probably worth more.
"The bikes that he rides here probably don't have a price tag because they have Lance Armstrong on
there and he's ridden them," Daubert said. "They are one of a kind."
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