Bespoke Blog

The Bespoke Bikes of the Tour de France 2017

The Tour de France is a showcase for the latest bikes and equipment and of huge importance to the many brands that choose to sponsor the 22 teams taking part in this year's edition of the French stage race.

Bike manufacturers sponsor racing teams for the positive exposure that is generated by their products being associated with successful teams. Race victories can lead to increased sales.

Here at Bespoke, we're not influenced by what bikes the pros are paid to ride, but there's no denying there's something cool about riding the same bike as a winning Tour de France team. Many road bikes have become iconic and desirable as much for their close associations with a famous rider or team as much for their outright performance.

So here's a look at some of the bikes that will be raced in the Tour available through Bespoke Cycling.

Cannondale

If you read Barry's review of the Cannondale SuperSix Evo, you'll know it's a bike we like a lot here at Bespoke. In an era of ever more specialised bikes and aero influences, the Evo stands out with its traditional straight round tube shapes. That's not to undermine its incredible performance, it's a highly capable bike with great all-round capability. Cannondale-Drapac will be racing bikes shod with Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets and Mavic wheels.

Colnago

It's great to see this iconic Italian bike brand back in the Tour de France this year. The new UAE Abu Dhabi team will have the venerable C60 and slippery Concept aero bike at their disposal, which each rider will choose will come down to personal preference and the requirements of the stage profile. There's a replacement for the V1-R on the cards too, so expect to see that new bike making its debut. The team builds its Colnagos with Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupsets.

Orbea

Once easily identifiable thanks to the orange paint schemes of the iconic Euskaltel-Euskadi team during the 1990s and 2000s, the Basque bicycle brand now sponsors French pro team Cofidis. The team will be racing the company's lightest and stiffest race bike, the Orca, which has just been updated this year with a frame weighing in at just 790g, it's lightest ever. There's also more stiffness and aerodynamics thanks to a new fork design and refined frame tube profiles. The team uses Shimano and FSA equipment for the groupset with Vision wheels.

Bianchi

Italian brand Bianchi sponsors Dutch cycling team LottoNL-Jumbo and it'll choose the aero-influenced Oltre XR4 for the majority of the stages. It's an incredibly evocative brand but the Italian company has packed its flagship frame with Countervail Carbon Vibration Cancelling Technology, borrowed from the Infinito CV endurance bike, and designed to provide enhanced comfort and handling. As well as the Oltre XR4, the team will have the splendid Specialissima as an option if they want it.The team is sponsored by Shimano so it's a full sweep of Dura-Ace Di2 and matching wheels.

Specialized

The US company sponsors two teams - Bora-Hansgrohe and Quick-Step Floors - which ensures it plenty of coverage and opportunities for stage victories. Each team will have the Tarmac and Venge at their services, the former a lightweight all-round bike, the latter an aero optimised sprinting and breakaway specialist. As ever the path to success is one lined with constant development, and there's rumour of a new Tarmac - with a reported sub-800g frame - being unveiled at the Tour de France. Both teams use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets with Specialized's wheel brand Roval.

Trek

Like Specialized, Trek offers its self-titled pro team a choice of bikes, including the Madone and Emonda. The Madone is a unique bike because it combines the IsoSpeed decoupler from the company's Domane endurance platform, providing extra seated comfort, with state-of-the-art aerodynamic design features including custom integrated brakes. The Emonda is the lightweight climbing option and there's talk of an updated version making an appearance during the Tour - team leader Alberto Contador has already been spotted riding what appears to be a new bike. The team bikes are shod with full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with Bontrager wheels and finishing kit.