Prologo sent us a few images of Tadej Pogačar crushing it at the Tour de France on his customized Colnago TT1 time trial bike because he’s riding a unique new saddle with wings and a spoiler. But that new Prologo Time Trial Predator saddle is literally just the tip of the iceberg, with tons more custom bits and bobbles on his TT bike. How about we start off with a custom ultralight seatpost, a prototype ENVE wheel, and custom-fit aero bars? Then you still have to love his unique AeroCoach disc wheel, Carbon-Ti rings & rotors, AbsoluteBlack brakes and more…
Tadej Pogačar TT tricked-out Colnago TT1 time trial bike
The Tour may be over now, but the hits keep coming. Between a number of Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates sponsors, the interesting tidbits keep trickling in.
Today, it’s a new saddle that gives you wings. No we’re not talking about the newly RedBull-sponsored team. But instead, this all-new Prologo sadlde – made just for Tadej Pogačar to race the Tour de France TTs – but now available to the public, too.
Well, sort of available.
Prologo Time Trial Predator saddle custom developed for Tadej Pogačar
Called the Time Trail Predator and officially for sale for 1200€ (but currently sold out), it’s a unique saddle design optimized for light weight and reduced aero drag.
Designed in CFD, the new Prologo Time Trial Predator aims to shake up saddle aerodynamics.
An integral element of the full carbon shell construction, carbon wings extend down on either side of the saddle’s flat padded top, to smooth airflow under the rider’s legs and to shelter the seatpost head and flat rails from the wind.
“The shape of the saddle is designed to facilitate maximum rotation of the athlete’s pelvis, allowing him to assume and maintain an even more aerodynamic position for longer.“
Three small openings allow airflow through the wings as they widen at the back of the saddle. And then, a small spoiler at the tail “channels [air] flows from the rider’s back parallel to the road”.
A key point not to overlook in that description is the use of a new proprietary carbon rail system…
A look under the shell reveals a mostly flat carbon rail system – now patented. It’s lower profile, so less exposure to the wind. And apparently laterally stiffer for better power transfer, without discomfort. But that also means that it needs its own proprietary seatpost clamping solution. For the Pogačar TT Tour Colnago TT1 time trial bike, the UAE team turned to ultralight carbon cockpit specialist Darimo, who’ve been working with the team on customized carbons seatposts for several years.
The end result is a saddle claiming to weigh just 140g with full EVA padding and pressure relief channel. And it claims to be significantly more aerodynamic than conventional saddles.
Pogačar’s 2024 Tour de France-winning Colnago TT1 Disc time trial bike
Pogačar’s Colnago TT1 Disc time trail bike itself is pretty much off-the-shelf, except for some tiny UAE decals and an upgrade to yellow Colnago logos. But, it’s the finishing kit and little details that set this speed weapon apart.
Pogačar TT Prototypes
Of course, to hold that new Prologo Time Trial Predator saddle in place, the Slovenian champ needed a seatpost with a custom head design. Darimo carbon was up to the task, and created a fixed 0 offset cradle with a 2-bolt alloy head clamp to secure the new flat carbon rails.
Although the rails are a Prologo patented shape, it looks like it was relatively straightforward for Darimo to create a modified cradle to support them. That bodes well for a chance that other seatpost makers could add similar compatibility if Prologo decides to put these rails on more aero saddles.
At the front of Pogačar’s bike on the flatter early Individual Time Trail stage was this unmarked front wheel. With around a rim depth of around 90-100mm or so, it is rumored to be a new ENVE SES 10 wheel. On the more hilly final ITT stage into Nice though, Pogačar stuck with the current 60mm deep wheel from his regular SES 6.7 road setup.
Custom aerobar extensions shaped to the rider’s arms and optimized aero position are pretty much de rigueur for specialized time trialists and GC contenders these days. Thes narrow-set extensions are only minimally padded. But the deep wrap-around forearm cups and shaped handgrips should give Pogačar extra control while in his most aero tuck.
And just sick custom gear
Pogačar’s back wheel is the uniquely stepped and wavy AeroCoach Aeox Orbit disc wheel, which also claims to be the lightest tubeless disc TT wheel at just 980g (although Vision claims one a few grams lighter).
Drivetrain is similar to what we saw on Pogi’s yellow jersey-winning V4Rs road bikes yesterday. Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, direct mount hangers, and massive carbon Carbon-Ti chain rings.
Here on his TT bike is a huge 60T 1x chainring mounted to an SRM power meter crankset. And instead of a front derailleur and a little ring, there’s just a bolt-on upper chain guide and big legs to smash the pedals.
