The prototype levers – possibly made from aluminum

Unmarked rear derailleur

Tim “sharp-eye” Schamber noticed that David Millar’s SRAM equipped Scott Addict looked a little different. The usual carbon fiber shift levers were aluminum in appearance with no identification. So at the conclusion of stage 6 I went to the team cars to get the scoop on these unbadged levers.

Luckily for me I ran into the owner of the bike in question, David Millar. In his usual candid self he told me that they are prototype levers. The changes include a shorter throw to activate the gear shift for the rear derailleur and a trim adjustment for the front derailleur. I would speculate that these levers are lighter and other improvements in the Force group would include ceramic ball bearings in the bottom bracket. I have no idea cost or time of availability, but I would guess that Interbike would be a great place to show off new stuff.

Speaking of David Millar…he got fourth in the field sprint today just being pipped for third by Hincapie. I asked him what the hell he was thinking. His response was he is feeling better and decided to go for it. He said whenever he goes for “fieldies” he usually gets fourth. I jokingly asked if he was going for the win tomorrow in the flat circuit race. “I’m going for it at two k to go.” I told David that I was going to print this and he said go ahead. Then he promised me we’d do some damage at the post race party. I’ll take photos…

The guy in yellow is Millar