Fabio Aru was presented this new Argon 18 just before the Tour de France began - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro has a unique headset that sits atop the head tube, rather than ensconced down in it - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Argon 18 claims this external upper headset makes for a stiffer front end - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
No one could follow Aru's horse on stage 5 - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Pro riders may get custom paint, but Argon 18 founder Gervais Rioux believes that even most pros fit just fine on stock geometry - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Aru uses Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifters and derailleurs with FSA cranks and rings, and a power2max power meter - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
FSA started the stickers-on-bar-tape trend and now Prologo has jumped on board - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Astana is the one team in the Tour de France on Schwalbe tubulars - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Astana has 9070 Di2, but could move to a full FSA group if and when that comes - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
While Look also has a titanium-spindle version of the Keo Blade Carbon, many pros use the chromoly version - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then spacers can be placed on top if needed (Aru uses none) - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The 2018 Gallium Pro weighs a claimed 794 in size medium - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
The brand new Italian national champion Fabio Aru stormed away from the rest of the world’s best climbers on Wednesday at the Tour de France, winning stage 5 on his brand new Argon 18 Gallium Pro.
Argon 18 founder Gervais Rioux presented Aru with the new red Gallium Pro on the eve of the Tour.
While the 2018 model of the Gallium Pro has some updates, including a weight reduced down to 794g for a medium frame, perhaps the most surprising thing about Aru’s bike is how relatively normal the fit is.
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro has a unique headset that sits atop the head tube, rather than esconced down in it - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
On most pro bikes, long and low is the norm, with stems typically at least 120mm if not 130 or even 140mm.
Aru runs a 100mm stem — just what would come stock on a 54cm bike.
Rioux uses Aru’s fit as a talking point. “We believe less than 5 percent of people need a custom frame. Nature is well done,” Rioux said, adding that people are usually quite proportional and similar to others of the same height.
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then spacers can be placed on top if needed (Aru uses none) - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
What isn’t similar to others is Argon 18’s upper headset bearing, which sits atop the head tube instead of down inside it. Rioux claims this patented design makes for a stiffer front end and a better handling bike.
The headset comes in 15mm and 25mm heights, and then riders can add spacers on top of that if need be.
The new Gallium Pro has room for up to 28mm tires.
Astana is the one team in the Tour de France on Schwalbe tubulars - Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
Check out the gallery above for a closer look at the Argon 18 Gallium Pro Fabio Aru is racing at the 2017 Tour de France. And be sure to visit Cyclingnews.com for complete Tour coverage.
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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