Look at the Tour de France over the years and you have an insight into the design, development and technological evolution of the sport of cycling. This great race is also a chronological map of cycling trends over time. Check out some of the defining moments in the history of the Tour de France.
2014
Mounted bike cameras are for the first time introduced. Prior to now, they were banned.
2011
Cadel Evan becomes the first Tour de France GC winner using electronic shifting (Shimano Di2 on a BMC Teammachine SLR01).
2005
We see the last downtube gear levers used in a Tour de France win.
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2004
A rule is implemented that bikes must way a minimum of 15 pounds, or 6.80kg.
2003
We see the first carbon frame bike (Trek 5900 SL) ridden from start to finish by Lance Armstrong. The bike weighs 14.5 pounds, or 6.57kg.
1999
A titanium bike wins the Tour de France – Lance Armstrong on a Trek-badged Litespeed Blade.
1994
Miguel Indurain’s Pinarello becomes the last steel frame bike to win the Tour de France. Weighing 19.8 pounds, or 8.98kg, the Pina was a custom built TIG-welded steel frame by Italian frame designer Dario Pegoretti.
1989
Ever an early adopter, Greg LeMond uses aero bars.
1986
Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault are among the first to use carbon fibre frames.
American Greg LeMond becomes the first non-European to win the Tour de France. He does so on his classic "sunburst" themed bicycle complete with clipless pedals.
1934-39
Secret squirrel! Antonin ‘the Monk’ Magne won in ’31 and ’34, but secretly tested Mavic ‘Duralumin’ rims. He even painted wood grain on them to avoid detection as he knew the technology was banned at the time…!
1937
The first derailleurs began to appear in The Tour de France.
1913
Hello free wheels! This marks the first year that free wheels were allowed on Tour.
