For the first time in Tour de France history, race organizers have allowed action video cameras to be mounted on riders’ bikes — and Shimano is leaping at the opportunity.
Shimano CM-1000 cameras are mounted on bikes for Bianchi, Lampre-Merida, Orica-GreenEdge and, not surprisingly, Giant-Shimano. Team Cannondale had the Garmin Virb video camera on a couple of bikes with the Garmin logo covered over.
Lampre-Merida rider José Rodolfo Serpa said Shimano had asked that each team sponsored by the Japanese component maker install cameras on two riders’ bikes.
BikeRadar asked Shimano about the camera's use, but only received a stonewall response: "Shimano cannot comment on use of its cameras at the Tour de France," Shimano spokesman Eric Doyne said.
Exciting race footage shot from the unique, inside-the-peloton perspective has gained a fair amount of attention on YouTube with videos like the one below.
The CM-1000 is an ANT+ and WiFi so it can connect with Shimano’s new Di2 transmitter, power meters, smartphones and more. One benefit of this interconnectivity for viewers is the ability to embed a rider’s data, such as wattage and heart rate, into the video footage, so when a rider sprints full out you can see the numbers of which professionals are capable.
With an f2.0 lens, the Shimano camera records in 1080 HD, with 135- and 180-degree lens options built in.
Inside the peloton with the shimano cm-1000
