Found this nifty article By James Huang, Technical Editor for Bike Radar regarding Team Milrams Mechanics.

Milram mechanics go to the tape

Cycling fans generally think of ProTour race bikes as exquisitely tuned and white-glove-clean with cutting-edge engineering and a good dose of black magic tossed in for good measure. For the most part that holds true (the top-level mechanics do truly extraordinary work that deserves more recognition than it receives) but even the best cared-for examples are occasionally shod with a few extra zip ties and electrical tape (see below).

Milram’s mechanics were surprisingly light-hearted just prior to the team time trial start in Montpellier, their work completed in advance with everything checked and double-checked and everything generally in order. In fact, about the only thing left for the mechanics to do (apart from loading into follow cars in the event of a mishap, of course) was tape over the valve access holes in the team’s Lightweight rear disc wheels.

A team mechanic seals the valve access hole with white tape, then draws in the spokes with a marker. not a shabby job, either, considering he was doing the work freehand and with an upside-down view.

Instead of just using fat pieces of white tape to match the disc surface’s base colour, though, team mechanic Filip [sorry, we don't know his surname and weren't able to obtain it prior to posting time] was hand drawing in the missing black lines normally seen on the rest of the wheel – an unnecessary extra perhaps but still a nice finishing touch.

More tape (this time black) was found covering up the mounting bolt for the rear derailleur hanger and the exit point at the top tube for the aft section of rear brake housing. Filip had disappeared by the time we noticed it so we couldn’t ask what they were for but they’re intriguing nonetheless. A fraction of a gram less drag? Cosmetics? We’ll look into it and report back.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 8:45 am and is filed under Focus & Team Milram. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.