While the following bikes adhere to strict UCI regulations—keeping them from sporting some the most advanced technology of each bike's era—these rigs remain some of the most drool-worthy two-wheelers of their time.
Marcel Kittel — Specialized Venge ViAS Disc
2017 1 of 8
Marcel Kittel took home five stage victories, the most of any rider, at last year's tour aboard the Specialized Venge. But what made his victories, and the bike, so unique was the fact that this was the first time a bike with disc brakes crossed a stage finish line first.
Photo/Andrew Sides, Flickr
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Your Next RideGreg LeMond — Bottecchia
1989 2 of 8
On the surface, Greg LeMond's steel-framed Bottecchia was the same as any other time trial bike used on the Champs Elysees. But in the addition of tri bars, designed by former US National Ski Team coach, Boone Lennon, is often credited with ringing in cycling's aero revolution. LeMond would famously defeat race-leader Laurent Fignon in the final time trial by 58 seconds to secure an 8 second victory over the bespectacled Frenchman.
Photo/Bob Mical, Flickr
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Your Next RideAndre Leducq — Alcyon-Dunlop
1930 3 of 8
With a heavy steel frame, a derailleur would wait 7 years before seeing any tour bike. Andre Leducq's bike will not win any awards for being ahead of the technological curve, but his seafoam green Alcyon-Dunlop did carry him through two Tour de France victories and remains an iconic bike among Tour historians.
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Your Next RideAntonin Magne — The Fist Duralumin Rim
1934 4 of 8
One could call it cheating or a foreshadowing of decades of deceit within professional cycling, but who knows how much Antonin Magne benefited from riding the first duralumin rims to his 1931 and 1934 tour victories? Such technology was forbidden at the time, so Magne painted the rims to look like wood. Regardless, we have to give the bike props for pushing the envelope.
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Your Next RideGreg LeMond — LeMond Sunburst
1990 5 of 8
LeMond makes this list twice, but this one is more for the bike's aesthetics rather than its revolutionary design. In 1990, LeMond road his own branded bike—an interesting choice given the dominance of Italian-made bicycles at the time—to victory and gave it a distinct sunburst paint scheme with blues, yellows and pinks. It's likely the bike is most associated with the American rider.
Photo/@lemondbikes, Instagram
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Your Next RideMiguel Indurain — Not Really a Pinarello
1994 6 of 8
Miguel Indurain, who donned the maillot jaune five times in Paris, rode a Pinarello-branded bike through all of his victories. But, legend has it, beneath the Pinarello paint scheme was a frame designed by famous custom frame builder Dario Pegoretti. Turns out, successful tour riders are no strangers to Pegoretti's work, such as Marco Pantani, Mario Cippolini and Tom Boonen who have cycled in Pegoretti-designed frames.
Photo/Anders, Flickr
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Your Next RideLance Armstrong — Trek 5900
2003 7 of 8
Since we're judging the bike and not the rider, it's impossible to leave off Lance Armstrong's 2003 Trek 5900, which he called his favorite frame. At this time, there was no weight requirement, so builders could shave off grams to their heart's content. The 5900 came in at a svelte 14.5 pounds—the lightest bike ever at the time—and is credited with forcing the UCI to implement weight restrictions the following year
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