Pro Bike Gallery: John Degenkolb's Giant Defy Advanced SL

John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) rides a 2014 Giant Defy Advanced SL frame for the Ronde van Vlaanderen, rather than the company’s Defy endurance frame, which will likely be pulled out for Paris-Roubaix. The bike is built up with Shimano parts throughout, including a Dura-Ace Di2 group, PRO cockpit, low-profile Shimano wheels, and a PRO saddle. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Degenkolb rides a 130mm PRO Vibe stem. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Degenkolb uses traditional-bend bars with the tops of his hoods set level to the ground. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Giant-Alpecin mechanics permanently attach a number holder to the back of each bike¹s seat mast. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Degenkolb’s father, Frank, surprised his son with this baby-foot sticker at the start in Brugge. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

All the cobble and hill sectors listed with kilometer markers. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Degenkolb rides with Shimano’s climbing shifter, which allows him to shift from the tops. It’s a valuable feature for the cobbles. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

The team uses Pioneer power meters and head units. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Fat, unlabeled 26mm tires on Degenkolb’s bike. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

Bottles are marked so soigneurs know when to pass them off or put them on a bike. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com

The UCI has to approve every frame used by the pros, and each approved frame must be available for sale. That’s no big deal for the Defy, which is raced all season. But some companies, like Trek, have developed special bikes for Flanders or Roubaix that they then have to sell, albeit in limited quantities, to the public. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com