Steel Frames in the Tour de France

[Elev12k]

TVM/Gazelle? Untill 99/00 I guess.

The bikes in the '98 team photos look like aluminium to me:

http://www.dewielersite.net/db2/wielers ... Capiot.jpg

That's not to say they weren't on steel for certain races or in later seasons of course. Have you got a source?

I can't open your link, but I already found out you're right. Btw also found out Gazelle will make its comeback in the Tour in 2009. Rabobank will break with Colnago in favor of Gazelle.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

This big but blurry picture shows the TdF peloton in Ireland in '98. I think that's Backstedt in the bottom left, and the way his rear brake cable emerges upward from the top tube makes me think he's on an MX Leader or Arcobaleno with Merckx's distinctive internal cable routing that enters under the top tube and exits on top.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coceadaigh ... 6/sizes/l/

http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/beeldfich ... ldid=11987

That's about the best evidence I've got so far!

 

[one-eyed_jim]

I can't open your link

Sorry - it seems that site doesn't like external linking.

http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=9826

 

[john]

This big but blurry picture shows the TdF peloton in Ireland in '98. I think that's Backstedt in the bottom left, and the way his rear brake cable emerges upward from the top tube makes me think he's on an MX Leader or Arcobaleno with Merckx's distinctive internal cable routing that enters under the top tube and exits on top.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coceadaigh ... 6/sizes/l/

http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/beeldfich ... ldid=11987

That's about the best evidence I've got so far!

Backstedt won a stage in 98. Here's a picture of him on his way

To be honest all the pics I've found so far are pretty incolnclusive

 

[one-eyed_jim]

and what about Bianchis ?

Pantani was certainly on aluminium in '98.

http://www.herneweb.com/images/20050518_Pantani.jpg

I thought I'd identified a head lug on one of his team-mate's bikes, but on closer inspection it turned out to be an externally-butted aluminium head tube.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

Backstedt won a stage in 98.

To be honest all the pics I've found so far are pretty incolnclusive

Likewise. O'Grady also won a sprint into Grenoble, but I can't find anything that would prove one way or another if he was on steel or Ti.

 

[cchris2lou]

I have just sent an email to the studio at eurosport , so listen carefully this afternoon as they might answer , and they might mention retrobike .

 

[ededwards]

Great thread although looking like steel has not been real in the TdF peloton for a decade.

Who would have thunk it?

 

[zed]

im sure benesto's and the 7-eleven lot were the last steel frames, merkckx frames etc, sure we are talking 93ish all ali and carbon now :cry:

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/beeldfich ... ldid=11987

That's about the best evidence I've got so far!

Backstedt won a stage in 98. Here's a picture of him on his way

To be honest all the pics I've found so far are pretty incolnclusive[/quote]

That frame is lugged so must be steel.