With victory and defeat often decided by mere seconds, it’s no surprise that Tour de France riders use some of the finest and most expensive bikes available. These aren’t just off-the-shelf machines either – they’re tuned, modified and maintained by pro mechanics down to the smallest detail. But just how much does a Tour de France bike actually cost in 2025?
For most teams, the answer falls in the region of £9,000 to £14,000 – or more if you account for custom components and aero tweaks. In some cases, it goes much higher.
What bikes are Tour de France teams using in 2025?
Soudal-QuickStep: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Remco Evenepoel races on the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8, which can be bought from Specialized directly. With Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Roval Rapide cockpit and wheels, and an S-Works Power saddle, the stock build already pushes the upper limit at £12,000.
Evenepoel adds in CLX III wheels (a £500 upgrade), a 3D-printed Power Evo saddle (£379), carbon chainrings from CarbonTi (€435), a CeramicSpeed waxed chain (€169), and accessories like Tacx bottle cages and a K-Edge mount. The final figure? Around £13,300.
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale: Van Rysel RCR-R
One of the surprises of the 2025 Tour is how affordable the Van Rysel bikes used by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale are. The RCR-R climbing bike and RCR-F aero model both use Shimano Dura-Ace and Swiss Side wheels, with prices starting at £9,000 and lower in France at €7,998.99. Add in a waxed chain, computer mount and cages, and the cost comes to around £9,200.
UAE Team Emirates: Tadej Pogačar’s Colnago Y1RS
While you can’t buy Pogačar’s exact build, Colnago lets you spec something close. With Enve wheels, rainbow paint, and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, the base cost already hits £15,559. Pogacar then upgrades to a carbon chainring set (€435), X-Rotor discs (€185 each), AbsoluteBlack brake pads (€100), a Frames and Gear derailleur hanger (£51), and a fully custom 3D-printed saddle (£499). With bar tape, bearings and extras, the total cost is around £17,351.
What is the most expensive bike at the Tour de France?
Time trial bikes top the list. The Pinarello Bolide F used by Ineos Grenadiers – including Filippo Ganna – is estimated at £38,886. That figure includes Princeton Carbonworks wheels (£4,236), Shimano Dura-Ace TT groupset (£4,200), custom extensions, Continental tyres and a Prologo saddle. Extensive wind tunnel testing and custom aero components add to the cost. It’s the most expensive complete setup on the start line in 2025.
How much does Tour de France rider kit cost?
The clothing and accessories used by Tour de France riders are tailored for marginal gains. Pogačar’s skinsuit, MET helmet, DMT shoes and aero socks add up to over £1,000. Philipsen’s Kalas Project RR suit, Shimano shoes and aero overshoes fall into a similar range, costing between £849 and £1,059.
Some time trial-specific suits, like those seen at the Olympics or Worlds, are valued upwards of £2,750.
Can you buy a Tour de France bike?
Yes – UCI rules require all race-used equipment to be made publicly available within 12 months. That includes frames, wheels and components, even if they’re still in prototype form. Brands like Van Rysel, Canyon, Colnago and Specialized offer public versions of their Tour bikes, though custom elements like 3D-printed saddles or pre-release wheels may not yet be available.
Second-hand ex-team bikes occasionally hit the market through sites like The Bike Room, though stock is limited and prices remain high.
How many bikes does each Tour de France team use?
Each rider typically has two to three road bikes, one or two time trial bikes, and a selection of spare frames and wheelsets. Across eight riders, most teams bring over 60 bikes and more than 100 wheelsets to the Tour. All equipment must be pre-approved by the UCI for use, even spares.
Mechanics rotate setups depending on stage profiles, switching between climbing wheels, aero frames or rain-ready builds as needed.
Photo Credit: A.S.O./Charly LopezWho pays for Tour de France bikes?
Teams rarely do. In most cases, bike sponsors supply the equipment free of charge, often along with a financial partnership. Some sponsors only provide frames, while others (like Specialized with QuickStep) offer a full package including wheels, saddles, shoes and technical support. These agreements are typically second only to title sponsorship in financial scale.
Do riders keep their Tour de France bikes?
Usually not. Most bikes are returned to the team or sponsor at the end of the season. Only in rare cases – such as a Tour winner’s bike or a retirement gift – do riders keep their machines. It’s considered bad form to be seen training on a previous sponsor’s bike, especially once a contract ends.
Owning a Tour bike is possible, but expensive. And even if you can match the equipment, the fitness required to use it properly remains well out of reach for most riders.
