The Tour de France is a battle of legs... but also of Allen wrenches, lubricants, and buckets of hot water.
While cyclists fight for the yellow jersey, mechanics work in the shadows to make everything function perfectly. Literally.
Today we'll tell you about some of the most surprising routines from the Tour's mechanical backstage and how you can (realistically) apply them to caring for your bike at home.
1. Each team carries between 45 and 60 bikes
Yes, you read that right. Teams don't just travel with spare bikes. They have different setups depending on the stage: time trial, mountain, cobblestones... And each bike is precisely adjusted for the cyclist who will use it.
What you can do:
You don't need three bikes for your rides with friends, but you do need to know the components you have well and have a basic toolkit for weekly checks. A torque wrench and a good degreaser can prevent more breakdowns than any expensive overhaul.
2. Daily cleaning: the sacred ritual
They clean all bikes at the end of each stage. Even if there's no mud. Even if they've only ridden 30 km in a time trial. Why? Because a clean bike performs better, makes less noise, and lasts twice as long.
What you can do:
Make it easy: a specific bike cleaner, water, a sponge, and a dry towel. No pressure washers or harsh detergents. The key is frequency, not perfection.
3. Lubrication according to the weather
There are different types of lubricant for dry, wet, mixed, muddy conditions, and even for long distances. In the Tour, they are applied with a syringe to avoid wasting a single drop, and each chain is cleaned before re-lubrication.
What you can do:
Do not lubricate over dirt, and adapt the type of lubricant to the terrain: if you're going for a dry ride, our Spotless Chain Wax will prevent dust from sticking; if it rains, look for a denser one that won't wash off in the first puddle, like our Pata Negra PIG.
4. Each mechanic has their portable workstation
In the workshop buses, everything is meticulously measured: tools hung, products labeled, hooks for bikes, portable compressor, light, and absolute order.
What you can do:
Create your small space: a toolbox, a couple of well-selected products, and a hanger to work comfortably. The important thing is not the size of the space, but having it ready and accessible.
Ready to treat your bike as if you were going to race the Tour?
The conclusion
You don't need a race number to treat your bike as if you were going to race the Tour. All you need is the attitude of caring for what moves you and a little knowledge. And for that, you're in the right place.