The Tour de France is a spectacle of human endurance and technological innovation, where every gram and every millimetre matters. The concept of 'marginal gains' has become synonymous with the sport, as teams strive to extract every possible advantage, no matter how small. In this article, I'll delve into the world of these seemingly minuscule upgrades, exploring the creativity and dedication that goes into each modification. From the most comically minuscule upgrades to the most expensive mods, these gains are the result of a near-infinite well of innovation and patience from team mechanics.
One of the most common modifications is the use of tape. Every bolt and void on a bike is taped over to reduce drag. This may seem like a small detail, but when stages are won and lost by millimetres, these tiny gains can add up significantly over the course of a three-week race. Teams like Visma-Lease a Bike go so far as to tape over adjustment bolts on seatposts, demonstrating the commitment to every possible advantage.
Another fascinating upgrade is the use of aftermarket bottom brackets. UAE Team Emirates, led by Tadej Pogačar, has fitted a smooth non-drive side threaded cup to their bikes, claiming to save watts with every pedal stroke. This modification is not without its challenges, as it requires a special proprietary tool to tighten the cup from the drive side, making it accessible only to team leaders.
Derailleur cages have also gone on a diet, with teams swapping out stock Dura-Ace retaining bolts for aluminium ones. This may not seem like a significant change, but it's a good example of how teams are now focusing on weight weenieism rather than simply chasing every aero gain. The weight saving is currently unknown, but it's a step in the right direction.
Lidl-Trek's use of coloured tape is another interesting upgrade. By applying strips of different coloured tape down the sides of each rider's TT bike, they aimed to reduce cognitive load and perhaps gain an aero benefit. This simple yet effective hack demonstrates the creativity that goes into these marginal gains.
The use of black electrical tape is another example of a seemingly small upgrade with a significant impact. By taping over the lower portions of a Shimano derailleur cage, teams can create a superlight aero hack that weighs a gram or two. While the actual gain may not be substantial, the cost is minimal, making it a no-brainer for teams.
Superlight bottle cages are another upgrade that may seem insignificant, but can have a significant impact on a rider's performance. The Elite Leggero Carbon cage, tipping the scales at a mere 13g a piece, offers a 27g saving per cage. This is a maximal gain by the standards of this list, and it's no wonder that riders like Pogačar swap their aero bottle cages for these lightweight options.
Aftermarket thru-axles are another upgrade that may not seem glamorous, but can have a significant impact on a bike's performance. By swapping out standard thru-axles for lightweight aluminium versions, teams can save a few grams. While carbon thru-axles are available, they are currently not being adopted widely, despite their potential to save weight.
Lightweight disc rotor lockrings are another upgrade that may seem minor, but can have a significant impact on a bike's performance. Lidl-Trek's fancy hubs, which garnered a lot of attention, featured grey Tactic-branded lockrings that are claimed to be exceptionally light and strong. While the actual gain may be a handful of grams, it's a step in the right direction.
Finally, the use of old series Garmin computers is another upgrade that may seem insignificant, but can have a significant impact on a rider's performance. Jonas Vingegaard's choice of the smaller, older Garmin Edge 540, rather than the current small-but-premium Garmin Edge 550, demonstrates the importance of every possible advantage, no matter how small.
In conclusion, the Tour de France is a showcase of human ingenuity and dedication to performance. These seemingly minuscule upgrades are the result of a near-infinite well of innovation and patience from team mechanics. While some of these upgrades may seem laughable, they all contribute to the overall performance of the riders and the excitement of the race. As the sport continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more creative and innovative upgrades in the future, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cycling.
