The bikes of the 2018 Tour de France — who's riding what in the world's biggest race

This is your complete guide to all the bikes used by the 22 teams in this year's Tour de France from Team Sky to Bora–Hansgrohe.

Compared to last year, there isn't a whole lot of change on the bike and kit front. Fresh new paint jobs for Bora, Movistar and Team Sky bikes maybe, and a couple of new sponsors resulting in new team names and jersey redesigns, but no major shakeups.

Read more: 20 of the hottest 2018 road bikes

There are some new bikes being raced this year though, mostly updates of existing models. There’s the new Specialized Tarmac SL6, Trek Emonda SLR, Merida Reacto, Giant Propel Disc and Cervelo R5 to name a few. We've seen more aero bike releases this year,  including Cannondale's System Six, plus new editions of the Specialized Venge and Trek Madone. These were all released just before the Tour de France, the annual launch period for the bike brands involved in professional racing.

With more bike brands developing disc-equipped race bikes, it'll be interesting to see how many teams embrace discs through the rest of the tour, particularly in the mountains. There's evidence of a some uptake in the peloton and it is becoming a more widespread adoption. Shimano has committed to disc brakes in a bigger way this year, with its first Dura-Ace disc brake groupset being launched about a year ago, and Campagnolo and SRAM now have disc brake groupsets.

Read more: Cycling's top tech trends for 2018 and beyond

Shimano continues to dominate the professional peloton with its Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, with Campagnolo and SRAM a small presence. There's no sign of FSA's WE K-Force or Rotor's UNO hydraulic groupsets yet. Will we see them this year? Not yet, but nothing would surprise us in cycling.

AG2R La Mondiale

• Bikes: Factor Bikes
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Mavic

The one British bike brand, now owned by Baden Cooke and Rob Gitelis, supplies AG2R with a number of bikes, including the O2 lightweight race bike and the One, an aero bike that is pictured above. This model retains the distinctive split downtube that was a key feature of the original Vis Vires launched not long after the company was started. A disc brake version of the One was introduced earlier this year, might we see it in race action this season?

Yellow jersey hopeful Bardet has just received a custom painted  O2 which looks absolutely stunning. We don't expect to see him using the aero bike, even for the flatter stages.

Astana

• Bikes: Argon 18
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Corima

Astana continues to be sponsored by Canadian bike brand Argon 18, and the Gallium Pro pictured here is its flagship race bike. This isn't your ordinary team paint job either, it's a custom painted special for Miguel “Superman” Ángel López. The team is the only outfit to use the lesser spotted Corima carbon wheelset, combined with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets and FSA K-Force chainsets and matching finishing kit.

Bahrain-Merida

• Bikes: Merida
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Fulcrum

The Bahrain-Merida team will have the choice of two race bikes, as do most teams, with the aerodynamic Reacto (pictured above) and lightweight Scultura. Like most other teams, there's a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset but the team is sponsored by SRM and uses its new carbon fibre crankset with integrated power meter. Wheels are Fulcrum, an offshoot of Campagnolo, with a choice of 40 and 55mm depth rims. Bahrain's leader, Vincenzo Nibali, is a fan of both bikes so we'll probably see him switching between the two through the race.

You can even buy the brand new Reacto aero race bike with this team livery if you have deep pockets. You can read Mat's review of the bike here.

BMC Racing Team

• Bikes: BMC
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Shimano

BMC launched an updated TeamMachine SLR01 for 2018. It's lighter, and a disc brake version now joins the existing rim brake bike. The regular team bikes are painted red, but this specially painted bike belongs to Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet and stands out from the crowd. The team gets the full Shimano treatment from Dura-Ace Di2 gears and brakes to wheels. After Monday's TTT successes, we might just see a full yellow TeamMachine under Van Avermaet.

Bora-Hansgrohe

• Bikes: Specialized
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Roval

The biggest change for the Bora-Hansgrohe team is a new colour but otherwise, it's the same Specialized Tarmac SL6 and Venge race bikes as last year. The team have switched to Sportful clothing this year as well and they'll be using Wahoo Bolt computers and Specialized's brand new power meter, which is offered with both a Dura-Ace or S-Works Carbon crankset option.

Sagan has already taken one stage this year, but he'll be expecting to take another and maybe a green jersey too on his way to Paris

Team Dimension Data

• Bikes: Cervelo
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Enve

Dimension-Data is sticking with Cervelo again this year and it is riding the brand new R5, the latest in a line of R-series road bikes. This one has numerous aero and weight changes and is offered with disc brakes for the first time. The team still uses the S5, an aero bike that is surely prime for an update this year? This flash bike belongs to Mark Cavendish.

 

Nice paint job @markcavendish . #Repost @cervelocycles with @get_repost ・・・ Another stunning creation by @tombriggs on this custom S5 for Mark Cavendish. Looking forward to seeing this machine fighting for stage wins at this years Tour de France. #S5 #Sseries #TDF #teamdidata #sprint #cav #enve #rotor

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc) on Jul 6, 2018 at 11:23am PDT 

Cavendish is possibly a little envious of the new bikes from Specialized and Trek. He seemed to have a little dig at sponsor Cervelo in a post-race interview. We'd be pretty happy with his bike!

EF Education First-Drapac Cannondale

• Bikes: Cannondale
• Groupset: Shimano/FSA
• Wheels: Mavic

The Cannondale team now has the longest name of any team ever. They also finally have an aero option in the form of the Cannondale System Six. They also have the same green and black Cannondale SuperSix Evo bikes from last season with Vision wheels replacing Mavic and FSA cranks and Dura-Ace Di2 gears. 

The System Six is a disc-only bike so we'll be looking for anyone using it in the mountains. It doesn't look like the lightest of steeds.

 

Talking the new @ridecannondale SystemSix before @letourdefrance kicks off this weekend... check out our YouTube channel for a video interview soon! #cycling #tourdefrance #ridecannondale #systemsix #aero #megawatts #bikes #bikeporn #cannondale

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc) on Jul 5, 2018 at 7:35am PDT

Groupama–FDJ

• Bikes: Lapierre
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Shimano

The French Groupama–FDJ team continues to race Lapierre bikes this season, with the Xelius SL above the bike that most of the team will use, including GC hopeful Thibaut Pinot. They'll also have the Aircode SL aero race bike for fast and flat stages. The Xelius SL is a bike that is constantly evolving, and changes this year revolve around a new integrated seat clamp and recessed head tube that presumably improves aerodynamics and provides a lower handlebar position.

Team Katusha-Alpecin

• Bikes: Canyon Bikes
• Groupset: SRAM
• Wheels: Zipp

Katusha sticks with same white over gloss red Canyon bikes, with the Aeroad CF SLX (above) and Ultimate CF SLX at their disposal. On the rider front, it's out with Alexander Kristoff and in with Marcel Kittel, so expect a bright red Canyon to be challenging for a few stage wins. Katusha is the only team to use SRAM's eTap wireless groupset with Zipp wheels and Quarq power meter cranks.

LottoNL-Jumbo

• Bikes: Bianchi
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Shimano

LottoNL-Jumbo is riding the same Bianchi Oltre XR4 it used last year, once again equipped with a full complement of Shimano parts, including Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and matching wheels. It's the only team to use a Pioneer crank-based power meter, neatly integrated into the Dura-Ace crank.

Dylan Groenewegen went into stage 1 as joint-favourite. He missed out but last year's Champs Elysee will be contesting as many sprints as he can.

Lotto-Soudal

• Bikes: Ridley
• Groupset: Campagnolo
• Wheels: Campagnolo

There are no major changes for Lotto-Soudal this season. They're racing the same Ridley bikes, a choice of the aero Noah and lightweight Helium, with Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupsets and Bora Ultra wheels.

Andre Greipel is their sprinter but with a rumoured signing of Caleb Ewan from Mitchelton Scott, we might see the Gorilla walk away empty handed.

Mitchelton-Scott

• Bikes: Scott
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Shimano

The Australian team is riding the same black and yellow Scott bikes it was racing last season, with a choice of Foil and Addict depending on the preferences of the rider and the details of the stage route. Gearing is Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and wheels are also from Shimano. Mitchelton-Scott is one of five professional teams sponsored by 4iiii, and it uses its new rank-based power meter.

They upset sprinter Caleb Ewan by leaving him out and focusing on a GC team for Yates. He'll be hoping his Addict can take him to a Yellow Jersey.

Movistar Team

• Bikes: Canyon
• Groupset: Campagnolo
• Wheels: Campagnolo

The biggest changeo the peloton this year is the new look Movistar Canyon race bikes. They've opted for a light to dark blue fade that looks okay in the photos but hopefully will look better in the flesh. I'm not sure the white saddle works with the frame though. What do you think?

If one of Movistar's three GC leaders takes yellow, will we see a yellow fade instead of the blue?

Quick-Step Floors

• Bikes: Specialized
• Groupset: Shimano/FSA
• Wheels: Roval

Last year the team were on mostly black bikes, but it now looks like Quickstep has injected a bit of colour into its bikes, with flashes of white and blue at the fork dropouts and along the top tube and seatstays. That's the new Tarmac SL6in the pi with the latest Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and Roval wheels.

 

Specialized has dropped the radically updated Venge aero bike today - full story on the homepage now. Go read it to find out about all the changes

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc) on Jul 2, 2018 at 11:22pm PDT

The big news, however, is the new Venge. It's already notched up its first Tour victory, under fellow Tour debutant Fernando Gaviria. Not a bad start then. 

Team Sky

• Bikes: Pinarello
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Shimano

A modest update to the Team Sky Pinarello, still largely black but now with a side order or white to match their new white jerseys. Underneath the paint is the same Dogma F10 that Froome rode to Tour de France victory on last year. You can read more about the 2018 race bike here.

Team Sunweb

• Bikes: Giant
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Giant

Team Sunweb is backed by Giant again and has the choice of the aero Propel or the lightweight TCR, and both bikes are now available with disc brakes, though whether we actually see those bikes being used by the team is another matter. The team uses Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets but opts for a Pioneer power meter and this year has switched to Giant's own carbon wheels, as the bike company is keen to promote its own range of wheels.

Trek-Segafredo

• Bikes: Trek Bikes
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Bontrager

Red is still very much the colour of choice for Trek-Segafredo, and this year has the existing Madone aero race bike and the brand new Trek Emonda SLR to choose from. The Madone has had an update with supersized branding. The Madone still comes in both rim and disc models. The team also get the Emonda SLR, which the US company claims it's the lightest production bike in the world. It has also developed a disc brake version which is one of the lightest disc-equipped race bikes we've yet seen. We've already seen this bike being used in earlier races this season.

 

There’s a brand new Trek Madone - full first look on the website now, go check it out

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc) on Jul 6, 2018 at 8:45am PDT

Both bikes are kitted out with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets, SRM power meters and Bontrager carbon wheels with Vittoria tyres.

UAE Team Emirates

• Bikes: Colnago
• Groupset: Campagnolo
• Wheels: Campagnolo

It's great to see iconic bike brand Colnago back at the Tour, once again sponsoring the UAE Emirates team. The company has been busy in recent years, developing first the new Concept aero bike, the updated V2-r and most recently the brand new C64, pictured above. It's one of the few teams to use Campagnolo, with top-end Super Record EPS groupsets combined with Bora Ultra wheels. You can read all about the new C64 here.

Cofidis

• Bikes: Kuota
• Groupset: Campagnolo
• Wheels: Campagnolo

With a team of stage hunters, Cofidis were brave to leave out sprinter Bouhani. As one of the biggest French teams, Cofidis will be aiming for breakaways. Their riders will be aboard Italian brand Kuota's Khan with the option of a disc bike too. The rest of the bike is an Italian affair with Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupsets and Bora Ultra wheels.

Interesting editions include a Ceramic Speed pulley wheel system and Michelin tyres.

Direct Energie

• Bikes: Wilier
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: FFWD

Sylvan Chavanel's weird solo break on stage 2 did afford us a few hours to drool over his custom painted Wiler Cento10. 

The bikes get a full Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset and FFWD wheels shod with Hutchinson Racing Lab Pro Tour tubulars with beautiful tan walls.

Fortuneo-Samsic

• Bikes: BH
• Groupset: FSA
• Wheels: Corima

In one of the most bizare sponsorship chnages we've seen, the Look bikes are gone and in come BH bikes. All this just 2 weeks before the start of the biggest bike race of the year. I bet the mechanics were thrilled.

It's another appearance for Corima wheels with the Ultralight frame finished with FSA components, Corima wheels, Vittoria tubular tyres, Prologo saddles, LOOK pedals, SRAM group and Elite bottle cages.

Wanty-Groupe Gobert

• Bikes: Cube
• Groupset: Shimano
• Wheels: Fulcrum

Another team that has already tasted success in this year's Tour is Wanty. They got themselves on the podium thanks to Yohan Offredo who took the Polka Dot jersey on stage 1.

Their Cube Lightening C68 is their bike for all road stages. The Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset gets a Stages power meter for data and C-Bear ceramic bearings in the bottom bracket. The Fulcrum wheels are wrapped in Continental Competition Pro Ltd tubulars. One other interesting choice is the Polar M600 computers, a step away from the bigger names.

Which bike would you pick from this impressive selection?

Want more 2018 Tour tech? Then visit our special Tour de France tech 2018 tag page and fill yer boots!