Sneak peek: Astana’s Argon 18 race bikes for 2017

World Tour Team Astana has released pictures of the Argon 18 bikes that its team riders will be racing on next year.

The Kazakhstan-based team will be making the switch from Specialized for 2017.

Astana will be using the Argon 18 Gallium Pro, along with the Nitrogen Pro and E-118 Next time trial bike.

The Gallium Pro (above and main pic) has a claimed frame weight of just 790g and it’s notable in using Argon 18’s 3D head tube system. The upper headset bearing can either be mounted into the top of the head tube as normal, it can fit on top of a 15mm spacer, or on top of a 25mm spacer. The idea is that this produces a stiffer front end than you’d get by fitting spacers on the fork steerer above the upper bearing.

Astana has switched groupset provider too. Out goes Campagnolo and in comes FSA with its new WE electronic groupset.

Check out our First Ride with the FSA WE semi-wireless electronic groupset. 

FSA also provides the handlebars, stems and seatposts while the wheels are from Vision, an FSA sub-brand. The saddles are Prologo.

Astana riders will have the Nitrogen Pro aero bike at their disposal and they’ll use the E-118 Next for racing against the clock.

This bike has an external fork steerer, a front brake that’s hidden behind the legs of the fork, and a rear brake that sits behind the bottom bracket.  

Here is it: the new @Argon18bike E-118 Next for @AstanaTeam 2017! Do you like it? #AstanaProTeam #Argon18 pic.twitter.com/Ug7Qru4zxH

— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) November 23, 2016

Astana riders are trying the new helmets by @limar_helmets Looks really cool! #astanaproteam pic.twitter.com/sz8RWOJeuO

— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) November 24, 2016

Astana riders will wear the new FR-C Pro collection of technical apparel from Giordana for all racing and training, and they'll use Limar helmets.

www.argon18bike.com