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Tour Pro Bike: Johnny Hoogerland’s Ridley Helium

  • By Caley Fretz
  • Published Jul. 22, 2011
  • Updated Jul. 22, 2011 at 4:55 PM EDT
  • The Ridley Helium of former polka-dot jersey wearer, France TV car crash victim and all-around aggressor, Johnny Hoogerland. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Ridley uses integrated posts on all its frames, largely to save weight. The Helium frame, with post, weighs only 950 grams. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Vacansoleil uses KMC chains, which we have found work impressively well with both SRAM and Shimano drivetrains. Hoogerland's chain is still dripping from the pre-race application of lube and a special grease. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • The Helium has a tapered head tube, with a slammed-down Deda 100 stem on top. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • No powermeter here, just a regular computer by BBB in Vacansoleil colors. Like most pros, Hoogerland uses an aluminum bar and stem. His Helium still sits right at the UCI weight limit. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Deep drops on Hoogerlands Deda bars. Hoogerland has them wrapped up with Lizard Skins tape, which is nice and tacky both dry and wet (important for Tuesday's wet stage) and comfy, too. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • FFWD wheels are hand built in Holland. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Bit of a mutt of a drivetrain on Hoogerland's bike: KMC chain, SRAM derailleurs and cassette, Rotor crankset and rings. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Hoogerland uses Rotor Q-Rings in the most common "three dot" position. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • The Helium's seatstays are designed to provide a bit of comfort through flex. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Another chain catcher, and another steel-cage Red front derailleur. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • With off-and-on rain forcasted for the whole day, mechanics made sure to apply plenty of lube to the chains. Vacansoleil mechancis went a step further and applied Morgan Blue Aquaproof Paste (grease) to the chains. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • Hoogerland talks with fans prior to stage 15. He's still covered in bandages from his incident with vehicle during stage 9. Photo: Caley Fretz
  • To prepare for the day's rain, lube first. Then... Photo: Caley Fretz
  • VeloLab's lube test left readers with questions on how we'll be lubing our chains going forward. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Pro Bikes / Tour de France TAGS: / /

Caley Fretz

Caley Fretz

Tech Editor Caley Fretz came on board with VN in September 2010, and now splits his year between Boulder, Colorado and Annecy, France. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, he is a category 1 road, 'cross and track racer. He also holds a pro XC mountain bike license, though unlicensed racing is now more his style.