LES HERBIERS, France — This year's Tour de France has seen an extraordinary number of new-bike launches, including from Specialized, Trek, and BMC, but perhaps the most discussed has been the SystemSix from Cannondale. It's the company's first aero bike, and the Connecticut-based manufacturer claims it to be "the world's fastest road-race bike."
That's great news for the US's Taylor Phinney, who rides for the EF Education–Drapac p/b Cannondale team. Over the next three weeks the 6-foot-5, 187-pound Coloradan will spend a lot of time in the saddle on his big 60 mm machine, so good thing for him that Cannondale data suggests it's freaky fast. The company claims it will save a rider the most energy and time of any bike in the peloton.
"The SystemSix is super fast — a noticeable difference from any other bike I've ridden," Phinney said. "For a rider my size the stiffness of the frame is awesome ... And it just feels like you're almost cheating, which is a beautiful feeling."
See more photos of Phinney's SystemSix from the Tour below:
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Like all the Tour riders, Phinney got a fresh bike built up the day before the race's start.
Phinney is one of the biggest riders in the Tour this year, at 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds. He rides a massive 60 cm frame.
This is Phinney's second Tour de France.
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