(editor's note: the planned discussion for nominations from the people for a working committee to develop a statement of support and solidarity with the workers and students striking in france has been put on hold for what is admittedly a fairly bourgeois topic)

Castelsarrasin /Bouygues Telecom GIANNI FERACCI Team Bike

When the news hit late last year that the team would be on full carbon Gianni Feracci bikes for the 2006 season, a big smile generally appeared from ear to ear on most of the team’s faces. 

The bike is full Carbon sloping frame, with full carbon fork and integrated headset.  The frame has some interestingly shaped tubing which makes it nice and stiff.  However looking at the downtube might make some people think that a little extra time in the wind tunnel for old Gianni F might not be a bad idea.  The down tube looks almost backwards as it is triangular, but the largest and flattest part of it is facing forward on the bike acting as a wind catcher.  Of course in reality the difference it makes is minimal.

The carbon fiber monocoque frame reveals a slick and nicely integrated FSA headset.  The front derailleur is a clamp on as opposed to a more common braze-on which usually helps to avoid people over tightening the clamp and damaging the carbon tubing.  The drive chain is provided by Shimano with a full Ultegra 10 speed set-up.  A few riders are using Dura-Ace, but the majority of the team is on Ultegra.

The bikes come without pedals or saddles, as each rider usually has a preference as to what they put their butt on.  Here we see John Parks opts for a Selle Italia seat and a very American choice of some lightweight Speedplay pedals.  On this bike John has also opted to use his own Bontrager seatpost and stem instead of the team issue Amoeba steam and Uno seatpost.  We also see that John has a very low front end, which allows him to develop more power and distribute his weight better on the bike.  John also has a nice aerodynamic position.  John also runs a more traditional brake hood set up.  Most riders tend to have their hoods much higher on the bars these days (hence Shimano’s now longer levers) to allow for a little more control, and a more natural wrist position on rough roads.