| The Tour de France has existed for over 100 years. It | | | | have spokes with bladed cross-sections, which further |
| is the most well-known bicycle race in the world, bar | | | | reduce wind resistance. The tires of racing bicycles |
| none, covering more than 2200 miles over the course | | | | are lightweight, narrow and have a thin, smooth tread. |
| of 23 days. Although it takes place primarily in France, | | | | They are inflated to a very high pressure, which |
| its route often passes through neighboring countries. It | | | | increases the potential speed of the bike. |
| is a test of endurance, skill and some of the most | | | | The term "groupset" refers to the mechanical |
| technologically advanced bicycles ever made. The | | | | components of a racing bike, which exclude the frame, |
| bikes used in the Tour de France are racing bicycles, | | | | fork, wheelset, bars, stem, pedals, saddle and seatpost. |
| specially designed to deal with the numerous demands | | | | Derailleur gears are an essential part of any groupset. |
| cyclists must put on them during a race. The | | | | These gears consist of a chain, multiple sprockets |
| requirements of a racing bicycle are defined by the | | | | (wheels with teeth), and a mechanism that shifts the |
| Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the cycling | | | | chain from one sprocket to another. This system is |
| association that oversees all competitive cycling | | | | what allows the racing cyclist to adjust his or her |
| events around the globe. | | | | speed and effort according to the terrain. The shifting |
| Racing bicycles are designed to do one thing-go fast. | | | | mechanism can be located on the bike's stem, |
| To that end, there are two important characteristics to | | | | handlebars or frame, but total integration systems |
| this kind of bike. One, it is light weight, which means that | | | | utilize combine brake and shift levers that allow the |
| the cyclist has to put in less effort to propel the bicycle; | | | | cyclist to shift gears without moving his or her hand. |
| and two, its makeup is as aerodynamic as possible, up | | | | Derailleurs were developed in the late 19th century and |
| to and including the position assumed by the cyclist. It is | | | | aside from the introduction of total integration, they |
| the combination of these two attributes that allows the | | | | have changed little since that time. |
| racing cyclists to attain the speeds they do for the | | | | There are a number of different manufacturers who |
| amount of time required. | | | | produce complete bicycle groupsets, including Shimano, |
| Every component of a racing bicycle is designed to | | | | Campagnolo and Mavic, although the first two are |
| weigh as little as possible. The wheel rims, for example | | | | probably the most well known. The various companies |
| are usually made of aluminum alloy, a very lightweight | | | | have different design philosophies, and cyclists are |
| material. Alternatively, some bicycles have carbon fiber | | | | often loyal to one brand over all others. As with the |
| rims, which weigh even less. Most such rims have | | | | non-groupset components, the mechanical elements of |
| triangular cross-sections, which allow for greater | | | | a racing bicycle should weigh as little as possible. As a |
| aerodynamic efficiency. To further reduce weight and | | | | result, carbon fiber has become popular in the |
| increase aerodynamics, many racing bicycle wheels | | | | manufacture of such elements. They are used for |
| have as few spokes possible. Some high-end wheels | | | | shifters, brake levers, cranks and parts of derailleurs. |