Teams race sponsor-supplied superbikes like Colnago V4Rs, Pinarello Dogma F, Specialized Tarmac SL8, and Cervélo S5, with models varying by stage.
The Tour de France peloton rides purpose-built race machines supplied by team sponsors. Frames and parts come from a tight group of brands that refine every detail for speed, handling, and reliability. If you’ve ever asked, “which bikes are used in the Tour de France?” the answer lives in a matrix of team deals, strict rules, and stage-specific choices. Below, you’ll see who rides what, how equipment differs for sprints versus climbs versus time trials, and what matters if you’re shopping for a road bike inspired by the race.
Which Bikes Are Used In The Tour De France? Brands By Team
Team sponsors define the headline brand on each bike, while riders swap between aero, all-round, and climbing frames through July. The table lists common pairings seen at the race in recent seasons, including 2024 and into 2025, with the go-to model families riders roll out on flat stages, mountain days, and time trials.
| Team | Bike Brand | Typical Race Bike |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Team Emirates | Colnago | V4Rs (road), TT1 (TT) |
| INEOS Grenadiers | Pinarello | Dogma F (road), Bolide (TT) |
| Visma–Lease a Bike | Cervélo | S5 or R5 (road), P5 (TT) |
| Alpecin–Deceuninck | Canyon | Aeroad or Ultimate (road), Speedmax (TT) |
| Lidl–Trek | Trek | Madone or Émonda (road), Speed Concept (TT) |
| Soudal–Quick-Step | Specialized | Tarmac SL8 (road), Shiv TT (TT) |
| BORA–hansgrohe | Specialized | Tarmac SL8 (road), Shiv TT (TT) |
| Movistar | Canyon | Aeroad or Ultimate (road), Speedmax (TT) |
| EF Education–EasyPost | Cannondale | SuperSix EVO (road), SystemSix (aero), Slice-based TT |
| Bahrain Victorious | Merida | Reacto or Scultura (road), Time-Warp (TT) |
| Team Jayco AlUla | Giant | Propel or TCR (road), Trinity (TT) |
| Groupama–FDJ | Wilier Triestina | Filante or Zero SLR (road), Supersonica SLR (TT) |
| Cofidis | Look | 795 Blade RS (road), TT model (796) |
| Intermarché–Wanty | Cube | Litening or Agree (road), Aerium (TT) |
| Astana Qazaqstan | Wilier Triestina | Filante SLR (road), Supersonica SLR (TT) |
| Lotto Dstny | Ridley | Noah Fast or Helium (road), Dean (TT) |
| Israel–Premier Tech | Factor | Ostro VAM (road), Hanzo or Slick-based TT |
| Arkéa–B&B Hotels | Bianchi | Oltre or Specialissima (road), Aquila (TT) |
| DSM-firmenich PostNL | Scott | Foil RC or Addict RC (road), Plasma (TT) |
| TotalEnergies | ENVE* | Melee (road), Custom TT |
| Uno-X Mobility | Dare | MA-AFO or VSRu (road), TT model |
| Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale | Van Rysel | RCR Pro (road), XCR Pro (TT) |
*Sponsor lineup and exact models can change with new deals or updates, but these pairings reflect recent Tour equipment as documented by tech round-ups and team disclosures.
Bikes Used In The Tour De France Today — Brands And Models
Brands supply full fleets so riders can pick the right tool for each day. Aero frames thrive on fast flat stages and crosswinds. All-round frames balance stiffness, handling, and comfort for rolling terrain and mixed days. Featherweight builds come out on summit finishes. Time trials get their own wind-tunnel rigs with deep integration and position-first cockpit setups. Frames often share one groupset and wheel partner across the roster to simplify spares and service during the race caravan hustle.
How Sponsorship Shapes The Peloton
Team contracts decide the head badge, wheel sponsor, tyres, and even bar tape. Mechanics carry spares for each brand pairing, and logistics teams plan container loads months ahead. The upside for fans: near-retail bikes on TV, proven under the hardest race of the year. The upside for riders: tested gear and a steady supply of frames, forks, and wheels in case of crashes or swaps. When a deal shifts, you can see a team jump from one brand family to another and refresh its whole stable within a season.
Frame Choices By Stage Type
Flat And Windy Stages
Sprint trains lean toward aero rigs with deep tubes and integrated posts. Think Specialized Tarmac SL8 used by lead-out riders, Cervélo S5 under fast men, Trek Madone, or Canyon Aeroad. These bikes keep speed when the pace sits above 50 km/h for long stretches. The cockpit gets set low and long, the wheels get deeper, and tyre pressures creep up a touch to reduce rolling losses on smooth tarmac.
Mountain And Rolling Stages
Climbers and GC riders mix in lighter frames with less drag penalty. Colnago V4Rs, Pinarello Dogma F, Giant TCR, Cannondale SuperSix EVO, Wilier Zero SLR, and Scott Addict RC are common sights. The goal is a responsive front end, a stable rear triangle, and a total build that lands near the UCI minimum without feeling twitchy when the road tips up or down.
Time Trials
Dedicated TT bikes like Colnago TT1, Pinarello Bolide, Cervélo P5, Canyon Speedmax, Trek Speed Concept, and Specialized Shiv TT are wind-shaped around rider position. Teams spend days refining extensions, forearm supports, and helmet choice. In the car behind, staff watch on-course speed and tweak gear choice for the return leg if wind shifts.
Rules That Define What You See
The sport’s rulebook sets guardrails for safety and fairness. A headline item is the 6.8 kg minimum weight for race bikes. The UCI also enforces shape guidelines, measurement checks, and position limits for saddles and extensions. These limits steer design and explain why a pro bike might carry a chain-catcher, heavier cages, or a dash of ballast to hit the scales. For an official reference, see the UCI’s published technical guidance and rule index linked below.
You can read the UCI technical clarification guide and the UCI regulations index for the exact language on equipment.
Groupsets, Wheels, And Tyres In The Tour
Most teams settle on one groupset brand across the roster for spare-part simplicity. In recent Tours, Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 has been the most widespread, while a handful of squads run SRAM Red AXS throughout. Wheels and tyres follow sponsor ties: Roval on Specialized teams, Cadex on Giant, Bontrager on Trek, Reserve on Cervélo, and so on. Almost everyone races tubeless these days, and 28–30 mm tyres are now common even on mountain days for grip and comfort on rough French roads.
Component Mix Snapshot
| Category | Brands Seen | Notes From Recent Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Groupsets | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2; SRAM Red AXS | Shimano on most teams; a few squads on SRAM across all road stages. |
| Wheels | Roval, Cadex, Bontrager, Reserve, Zipp, DT Swiss | Deep rims on flats; shallower sets for crosswinds and steep climbs. |
| Tyres | Specialized, Vittoria, Continental, Michelin, Pirelli | Tubeless dominates; 28–30 mm sizes are standard race picks now. |
| Power Meters | Stages, Shimano, SRAM/Quarq, SRM | Crank- or spider-based units for consistent data across bikes. |
| Brakes | Hydraulic discs | Universal among WorldTour teams for stopping power and control. |
| Cockpits | Integrated bars/stems | Clean cable routing and aero shaping; sizes tailored per rider. |
| Saddles | Prologo, Specialized, Fizik, Selle Italia | Short-nose profiles common to support aggressive positions. |
Why The Same Team Uses Multiple Frames
Race demands change by the day. On sprint days, an aero bike with deep wheels can save watts when the peloton sits at highway speeds. On alpine days, a lighter, sharper-handling frame feels better on the final climb and the switchback descent that follows. The goal is the best sum of aerodynamics, mass, stiffness, and comfort for that stage’s profile and weather. Riders will even swap bikes mid-stage after a long valley section if a summit finish demands a lighter machine.
What Makes A Tour Bike Fast For Real
Position First
Fit beats frame. A rider locked into a stable, repeatable position reduces drag more than any frame tweak. Teams measure stack and reach to the millimetre and keep identical touchpoints across spare bikes in the roof rack.
Clean Front End
A narrow, integrated bar and stem reduce turbulence. Cables route inside, brake hoses vanish, and the head tube and fork legs form a tidy shape against the wind. Even on climbing days, riders value a quiet front end for stability in crosswinds.
Tyres And Pressure
Modern 28 mm tubeless tyres roll fast at sane pressures, offer better grip in the wet, and soften rough chipseal. Teams aim for the lowest pressure that still holds its line in corners and keeps speed on long drags.
Spotlight On Two Icons You’ll See In July
Colnago V4Rs Under UAE Team Emirates
Colnago’s V4Rs is a modern race all-rounder with a stout front triangle, tidy integration, and a balance of stiffness and comfort that suits week-long campaigns. It’s a frequent pick on rolling and mountain days, and pairs with the team’s TT rig for solo efforts. See the brand’s own product page for its race-ready spec and design notes: Colnago V4Rs.
Pinarello Dogma F With INEOS Grenadiers
Pinarello’s flagship stays true to its all-round DNA. The Dogma F shows up across terrain because it sprints, climbs, and descends with equal confidence. Teams lean on its predictable handling for lead-outs and sketchy weather days, with the Bolide TT platform taking time-trial duty.
How Media Teams And Mechanics Keep It Rolling
Nightly checks keep the fleet in race shape. Mechanics wash, inspect, and re-torque bikes after each stage. Chains get fresh wax or lube. Brake rotors and pads get a once-over, and wheel bearings get attention if rain or grit sneaks in. Riders often rotate through spare frames to spread mileage and keep a few bikes “fresh” for key stages and the final week.
Shopping Advice If You Want A Tour-Style Bike
Pick Your Daily Terrain
If your roads are flat and fast, an aero frame with mid-to-deep wheels feels great and carries speed. If you climb more than you sprint, a lighter all-round frame with 45–50 mm rims is a sweet spot. If you split time across both, an all-round bike covers more bases than an extreme aero frame.
Fit And Contact Points First
Match the stack and reach that let you ride two hours without neck or hand strain. A proper saddle and bar width can transform comfort and control. Copying a pro’s slammed stem rarely works for everyday riding.
Wheels And Tyres Beat Tiny Frame Gains
A good wheelset and fast tubeless tyres can make a bigger difference than switching frame brands. Deep rims shine on steady, fast routes; shallower rims feel better in gusts and on steep grades. A quality 28 mm tyre is the current sweet spot for speed and grip.
FAQ-Style Clarity Without The Extra Fluff
Do All Teams Ride The Same Groupset?
No. Most squads race Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, while a smaller set use SRAM Red AXS. That split shifts by season as contracts change. Both options deliver crisp electronic shifting with powerful hydraulic discs.
Are Tour Bikes Under The Uci Weight Limit?
Many frames can dip under 6.8 kg with sparse builds, but race bikes must meet the limit on the official scale. Teams add legal mass and pick durable parts that hold up to daily transfers and rain-soaked mountain stages.
Bringing It Back To The Core Question
Which Bikes Are Used In The Tour De France? The list evolves with sponsor deals, yet the fabric stays familiar: Colnago, Pinarello, Specialized, Cervélo, Canyon, Trek, Giant, Merida, Cannondale, Wilier, Scott, and a handful of smaller names. Riders switch frames and wheels for the day’s needs, all inside the UCI’s rule set. If you’re hunting for your own rig, match terrain, fit, and wheel depth before chasing decals.
One Last Pass At The Names You’ll Hear All July
You’ll hear the TV crew call out bikes like Tarmac SL8, Dogma F, V4Rs, Aeroad, Madone, R5, S5, SuperSix EVO, Reacto, Propel, Émonda, Foil RC, Zero SLR, and Ostro VAM. These are the workhorses of the modern peloton, backed by full fleets of spares, deep wheel choices, and a travelling workshop that keeps everything tight stage after stage. Which bikes are used in the Tour de France? The answer is a living snapshot of the sport’s top brands tuned for the world’s hardest three-week test.