As the centenary Tour de France kicked off a few of weeks ago, I decided that it was the perfect time to test ProForm’s Le Tour de France training bike. What better time to review the officially licenced indoor bike than when the peleton is flying through Europe?
Like so many keen cyclists, I find riding stationary training bikes quite boring. Almost everything that makes cycling so compelling and enjoyable is removed from the equation, leaving only the physical effort to contend with. But sometimes there’s no choice, and the option of heading outside for a proper ride simply isn’t there. The answer is finding a training bike that can make those hours in the virtual saddle if not enjoyable, at least bearable.
The ProForm Le Tour de France training bike aims to do just that – create an indoor cycling experience that’s as close to the real thing as possible – and for the most part, it fulfils that role admirably. But before you can even think about spinning those cranks, you’ll have to undertake a bit of DIY to get the bike built in the first place.
Having recently built the NordicTrack T14.2 treadmill, getting the Tour de France training bike out of the box and setup was a walk in the park. You probably want to factor in an hour or so to get it built, but it’s a pretty straightforward procedure. Just make sure that you don’t pinch any of the cables when attaching the handlebars and console – if you do, you’ll be dismantling and rerouting cables before you can climb aboard.
Talking of climbing aboard, ProForm has designed the bike to be pretty adjustable, at least by stationary bike standards. You can adjust the height of the saddle as well as the layback. You can also raise and lower the handlebars, but you can’t move them closer or further from the saddle.
If you really want to personalise the feel of the bike you can replace the bundled saddle with one that matches what’s on your own bike, thus ensuring that you’re as comfortable indoors as you are out on the road. Likewise, you can ditch the bundled pedals and slap on a pair of your favourite clipless pedals and use your regular cycling shoes
So what makes the Tour de France different from every other stationary bike you’ve used at home or in the gym? Quite a lot as it happens. For a start, this bike has built-in Wi-Fi, not so you can browse the web while you’re training, but so that you can make use of the integrated iFit Live functionality.
If you read my review of the NordicTrack T14.2 treadmill, you’ll already know about iFit Live and how it can revolutionise the way you train indoors. But with the Tour de France bike, iFit Live is an even more integral part of the package
After you’ve created your iFit Live account online, you can then sign into your account on the Tour de France bike. Once you’re signed in, you’ll have the option to perform your next scheduled workout. That workout could be chosen from the plethora options built into iFit, some of which are part of a complete training programme, or you can create your own custom workout. Thanks to the integration of Google Maps into iFit, you can simply plot a route anywhere in the world and have it sent direct to the Tour de France bike.
The beauty of iFit Live is that you can plot the exact rides that you usually do in the real world and send them to the bike. So, if it happens to be snowing, or if you don’t get a chance to do any exercise until late at night, you can still ride the exact route that you want.
Plotting your route via Google Maps also factors in elevation, which gives you an even more realistic experience. And this is where another of the Tour de France bike’s killer features rears its head – the bike can physically tilt forwards and backwards by up to 20 degrees. So, you’ll be able to tell when you’re hitting your regular climbs or descents, because the bike itself will tip backwards or forwards.
The level of resistance will also change according to the incline or decline of your chosen route, but again ProForm has added something extra to the equation. Unlike other stationary exercise bikes, the Tour de France bike gives you the option of changing gear to alter your effort and cadence.
There are shifters located on the handlebars, with the right shifter changing the rear cogs and the left switching between chainrings – just like on a real bike. You can even choose your preferred gear ratios, and whether you want a double or triple chainset
Although being able to change gear during your virtual ride is an undoubtedly cool feature, the shifts aren’t as smooth as you’re probably used to on your proper bike. There’s a noticeable delay between shifting and the resistance changing, which can cause you to change further up or down the block than you needed to by mistake. It’s a learning process though, and once you realise that that you need to wait a second or two for the new gear to engage, you can try to change a bit earlier, so that you’re in the right gear when the terrain changes.
Of course judging when the elevation will change is far easier when you’re out on the road than when you’re at home, but iFit Live does its best to address that problem. If attach the optional iPad mount to the bike you’ll be able to visualise your ride via Google Street View, which should give you a reasonable idea of when the terrain is about to change, especially if you’re riding one of your regular routes. Obviously Street View isn’t real-time video, so there will still be some guess work involved, but as you ride a route more often, you’ll learn when you should be shifting.
Although the route plotting via Google Maps is pretty accurate, don’t expect your times on the Tour de France bike to reflect your real world rides. I was somewhat surprised to find that a route that normally takes me around an hour on the road, took me close to 20-minutes longer on the Le Tour de France training bike. Riding this bike is hard work, and it’s definitely worth having a towel handy because you’re likely to be sweating buckets within the first few miles.
If you don’t want to plot your own route or download one from the iFit library, the Tour de France bike has lots of options built into it. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of Tour de France stages to choose from, although if you’re worried about having to drag yourself around the Alps for 200km, don’t be. Each selectable Tour stage is made up of a small section of the actual stage, but most of them include a decent mix of terrain to contend with.
The Le Tour de France bike has a built-in power meter, so you can also train based on the Watts you’re producing. Considering that a power meter for your real bike will cost you in excess of £1,000, having that functionality built into your training bike is pretty handy.
The screen built into the console can display all manner of other information too – cadence, speed, distance and of course heart rate. There’s no heart rate sensor chest belt bundled with the bike, which is surprising considering that the NordicTrack T14.2 treadmill came with one. That said, given that this bike is likely to appeal to at least reasonably serious cyclists, perhaps ProForm expects potential customers to already have a compatible Polar heart rate sensor – I think I’ve got about five!
You can cycle (no pun intended) through a plethora of different info screens while you’re riding – just like you can with a decent bike computer. The default screen shows a map of your route and your current position, along with your power and cadence readings below it. But you can also view your speed, distance, heart rate, workout time etc. You can’t customise your own info screens, but it’s not as much of an issue having to switch between info screens on a stationary bike as it is on a real one.
So what’s the Le Tour de France bike like to ride? Better than any stationary bike I’ve ridden before, that’s for sure. It’s also incredibly quiet, making almost no noise whatsoever no matter how fast you’re riding. The tilting motion when you encounter an incline or decline is a little disconcerting at first, especially the first time you find yourself pitched forward for a steep descent. But once you’re used to the sensation, it really adds something to the indoor cycling experience.
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re wearing a decent pair of cycling shorts, because you tend to spend more time in the saddle on an indoor trainer than you do on your real bike. That’s not to say that you can’t get off the saddle to power up a particularly tough climb, but the Tour de France bike does seem to respond better to steady, fluid motion rather than stamping on the pedals in a big (virtual) ring.
The Le Tour de France training bike isn’t perfect though, and there are a few niggles that could be improved upon. The biggest issue for me is that the bike doesn’t really take into account declines on your ride – okay, it will reduce the resistance when you hit a descent, but it won’t factor in that you’d be accelerating even without peddling. If you stop peddling on a steep descent, you’ll slow down and stop, when in the real world you’d continue to gain speed.
That delay when changing gear is also a bit frustrating at times, especially when you’re sweeping from a fast descent into a steep ascent. And because of the delay, you’re sometimes not sure if the gear change was even registered – there is an audible beep that accompanies the shift, but if you’re training with headphones on, you won’t be able to hear it.
The foam that coats the handlebars can also become incredibly slippery once you start to build up a sweat, making it hard to maintain a good grip, especially when you’re really pushing yourself. That said, if you remember to wear a pair of mitts whenever you climb aboard, you can avoid that problem.
Another annoyance is the lack of persistent memory in the console. This means that if you completely unplug the bike from the mains after each use (as the instruction manual tells you to), you need to enter your iFit login details all over again when you use the bike next. That might not sound like a big issue, but since the console doesn’t have a touchscreen, entering a long username and password is a real chore.
None of those issues are enough to spoil the party, at least as far as I’m concerned, so the big question is whether it’s worth the asking price. The ProForm Le Tour de France training bike has a MSRP of £1,299, but right now it can be picked up for £999 thanks to a special offer to commemorate the 100th Tour.
Although that might seem expensive to some of you, it’s relative to how much you spend on your other cycling kit. If you’re thinking “that’s more than my bike cost,” this probably isn’t the training bike for you. But if you regularly climb aboard a two-wheeled masterpiece that costs more than a small car, the price of the Tour de France bike will seem fairly reasonable.
Personally, I think that ProForm has made the Tour de France bike a compelling enough proposition to justify its price. And, I’d much rather have one of these in my house than be slapping my Litespeed on a turbo-trainer in the winter.
Just as I pointed out in my review of the NordicTrack T14.2 treadmill, though, you need to be completely sure that you’ll use a device like this before investing such a significant amount of cash. As with any home gym equipment, the Tour de France training bike will only help you improve your cycling performance if you actually use it.
Conclusion
ProForm has tried very hard to make an indoor training bike that’s actually fun and exciting to ride. On many levels it has succeeded in that goal, and even the issues I do have with this bike aren’t what I’d consider to be major failings.
The iFit Live integration is very well implemented and makes it even less of a chore to spend a couple of hours in the virtual saddle when you can’t get out on the roads.
The inclusion of a gearing system with handlebar-mounted shifters is another great feature, as is the 20 degrees of physical tilting forwards and backwards to simulate climbs and descents.
If you need to keep the cranks turning but struggle to get out regularly, the Tour de France training bike is well worth considering. Even if you’ve found stationary bikes to be boring and uninspiring in the past, this one offers an array of unique features that could make all the difference.
Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Real incline and decline to match your virtual ride
- Adjustable gear ratios
- Gear shifters mounted on handlebars
- Great array of real Tour de France stages included
- Excellent iFit Live integration
- One year iFit Live membership included
- Built-in power meter
- Heart rate monitoring
- Near silent operation
- Very adjustable setup
- Can use your own saddle and pedals
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Automatically saves rides to iFit account
Cons:
- No real momentum when heading downhill
- No heart rate sensor bundled.
- Discernable lag when changing gears
- iPad mount is an optional extra
- iPad mount only compatible with 10in iPads
You need to re-enter your iFit login details every ride
Manufacturer: ProForm Fitness
Price: £999
Update: On my last couple of rides I haven’t needed to re-enter my iFit login details when I turned the bike on. I’m not sure whether there was some kind of glitch before, or if this issue has been fixed with a firmware update, but at least now it seems that I can unplug the Tour de France bike without facing the chore of entering my iFit account name and password.
Hi!
I am seriously thinking about inveting in this bike as the features seem to enhance the work out experience immensely. I have however read a number of reviews on the net and it seems that there are quite a few unhappy costumers. Is the bike you have reviewedd here the new centennial edition? The other reviews vary from 1st, 2nd generation to the centennial edition and it’s hard to make out if some of the bugs have been properly reduced!?
Have you been using the bike frequenty and finding it stable or did you just have the chance to try it out and thn make a review upon that experience?
Thomas, Denmark
Hi Thomas,
I too have seen those reviews online, and clearly there were some teething problems both with the hardware and the iFit ecosystem in the early days.
The bike I reviewed is the 2nd generation, although I should be getting the Centennial edition bike in for review soon.
I’ve been using the bike regularly for the past six weeks or so and it has been working fine. The iFit integration has been pretty seamless and reliable, and I’ve encountered no problems with the incline or other hardware features.
As I point out in the review, it’s not perfect, and I think that the Centennial edition bike will probably be a better fit for me. That said, it depends on how serious a cyclist you are, since for many users the 2nd generation model will be more than good enough.
When push comes to shove, nothing can truly replicate the feeling of riding your real bike on real roads, but I’d definitely say that this is the best indoor training bike I’ve used.
Hi Thomas,
It’s hard not to be influenced by the bad feedback this piece of equipment receives online. I have owned the 2nd generation bike since Feb 2012 and it’s AMAZING!
9 times of 10 it does exactly what it should do which is link up to ifit and let me ride. I’m not a active cyclist using it to train. I’m a busy ex-athlete that is constantly challenged by the rides I download from ifit.
I have had a couple issues with the bike: a seized bearing in the flywheel, a faulty on/off switch, and a console that died. The customer service has been excellent! They have a company come to my home and install the new parts and I’m back on my bike.
I have no idea why the feedback is so bad. Maybe the people that are having great experiences are too busy spinning. I have lost 45 pounds since Feb and attribute most of it to the bike. You should get one. Take care D
Hi, is it possible to disable the incline feature?
I have the same issue as the previous comment, I would love to buy one but the reviews are awful both on this machine and on iFit which is putting me off.
Yep, you can lock out the incline if you want to.
As I said, there’s a lot bad press about this bike, and when I questioned ProForm about that directly they openly admitted that they started shipping units too soon. From my experience though, the issues raised have been addressed.
As for iFit as a service, I’ve had no problems with it whatsoever, using it on both the Tour de France bike and my T14.2 treadmill. I think it’s an innovative and inspirational platform that makes indoor training far less boring.
I have one. It’s not worth the money. Cheaply built. Handlbars rattle from new. Seat post also now rattles after only one month.
The iFit is crazy priced at $10/month. Strava and suchlike are free. As for using Google Map. well, let’s just say that I use my iPad for watching a movie when using the bike.
Hi Riyad,
I got the 2nd gen tdf bike in dec 2012 so I have had it neary a year now. I have packed in regular cycling now since I was hit by a hit and run driver over 2 years ago where my hip was completely smashed and pelvis fractured and a broken finger. As a result I had to have a total hip replacement. I am lucky to be alive, so I can’t go out on the road again and put my wife through all that worry. So the tdf bike is my answer. I am able to keep my identity as a cyclist (I have been a cyclist for over 30 years) and concentrate on getting my pre accident fittness back. I have done nearly 2000 miles on my tdf since I got it and have had the flywheel replaced recently. I love using this bike so much and am on it as much as possible. My longest ride I have done on it is 41 mile but usually I do around 10 to 25 mile. I have been asked by icon fittness to take part in their advertising campaign. When I get my compensation from the accident I may get the new centennial edition and use my present one as a spare bike . I’d say that the terrain match with the bikes incline is about 90% right, which is good enough for a realistic workout.So overall I am very happy with it and for me is a life line.
Hi Stephen,
Really sorry to hear about your accident. I used to cycle to work in London and was knocked down several times by unobservant drivers over the years, but luckily none of the incidents were too serious. I can only imagine how hard it must be for a lifetime cyclist to have to give up the road, but I can fully understand your decision.
Have you thought about giving mountain biking a go? One of the best things about riding the trails, especially properly structured trails, is that there are no cars, vans and lorries to worry about.
That said, it sounds like the TdF bike is a perfect option for you, and I’m not surprised that Icon want to publicise your story, it’s a great testament to the bike and its intended usage.
Now that the nights are drawing in and the days are haunted by gale force winds, I think it’s time that I tested the centennial edition bike. From the brief time I spent on it, it addresses many of the issues I have with the second gen bike, while taking the whole experience to the next level.
In the meantime, keep laying down those virtual miles and remember that as long as the cranks are turning, you’re still a cyclist – indoor or out!
I would think twice about buying theTDF,I have had one for 2 -3 weeks now and the pedal on the left side has continually worked loose preventing me from working out at full steam.
I do a lot of miles on the road(100-200)km per week and this bike is nothing like the real thing, if i were you id save my money and get outside when possible.
Saying that the problems i have had have been handled excellently by the sellers.
Colin
Colin- what was their solution to this- I keep having the same problem- when I ride , within 2 miles, the left pedal is loose and I have to stop and tighten the screw.
Thanks,
Boyd
Riyad any idea when the centenial will be on market?,,thanks
Hey Gabriel,
Last time I spoke to the guys at Icon they indicated Spring 2014, so not too long to wait now.
Since it will have been available in the US for a while, we can hope that any teething problems will have been addressed by the time it hits the UK 🙂
My biggest complaint with my bike is the non adjustable handle bars. My husband bought this for me as a present, but at 5’3″ I find I am always “reaching”. Very frustrating…..
Are people still happy with this. Recent knee op camt ride on the road toss up between this or a tacx I magis system.
Hi Andy, If I were you I’d hang on a couple of months since the 3rd generation bile will be hitting the UK soon – assuming you’re based int he UK. I should be getting a review sample of the Centennial bike soon.
Hi Riyad
Any update as to when the 3rd Generation TDF will be available in the UK. I can’t find any info anywhere.
Thanks
I just purchased the GT version because I simply wanted a bike trainer to jump on when the weather was terrible. The seat post is barely long enough and I really could use one extra notch.
Here is my question/problem. After I put it together and jumped on the bike I noticed that the resistance seamed to be locked on even if it was on the flats and in the easiest gear. I start pedaling and I have to break through the initial resistance and then it over revs and I can’t catch up to the freewell. This makes standing up almost impossible. It is like the resistance is not consistent. Does anyone else have this problem? Proform said I needed to break it in but it is not getting better. At spin class I use a Keiser M3 that is supper smooth. Help
Hi Riyad,
How does the HR get calculated?
Does it come with the ones your strap on yourself?
THanks
I purchased this the end of February 2014. I used it a few times after I received it and thought it was great workout. I stopped uploading mapped rides because the automatic changing of grade % felt very unnatural. The weather got better and I started riding my road bike. This last month in November as the weather got colder, I started riding the Tour De France trainer again. After just a few work outs, the resistance on the trainer started slipping. I could not stand and pedal hard or even apply much pressure on the pedals without the belt slipping. As I am reading other reviews on line I am finding everyone is having the same problems. This is a design flaw in the trainer. There is a tension-er to tighten the belt but it does not work. I would stay away from this trainer. It is absolutely not worth the money.
Well well well …im really wanting to buy one ..im so confussed . How do you know if its a 2nd generation or 3rd yr buying ?
Grace,
I recommend you research the Stages indoor cycle. My husband and I purchased the Proform Tour de France and have not been happy. The first bike sent did not work when we received it. We had to send it back and wait for the replacement. After using the second bike for less than 12 months the iFit monitor (electronics) stopped working. Thank goodness we purchased the extended warranty. We called in the issue in Feb. 2016 and we are still waiting ( now May) for the replacement monitor. Customer service is absolutely horrible. In fact, I would not consider them customer service at all. The are robotic in their responses and will not let you speak with a supervisor/manager. My husband has spent countless hours on the phone with them to no resolve. By the time we get the replacement part, we will be without the bike/trainer for 4 months, providing it arrives as promised. The gym we belong to just switched to the Stages bike/trainer and we absolute love them. Had we been exposed to the Stages first we would not have purchased the Proform. Stages has outstanding customer services too. Good luck with your research and I hope your experience should you buy a Proform is better than ours.
Regards
Joanie
6-10 for mechanical build, 1-10 for electronics … 0/10 for value of cost. the idea and ifit is good, 10-10 just the amount of money these cost you expect them to be fit for purpose. I have now had two, first one lasted three of months before it started malfunctioning, 2nd one I bought used from an agent dealer, same problems after a few months. I now have two bikes that I would like sorting out for me. I have not time to chase around emailing dealers here and there. I am willing to pay for two consoles that work and will have no more problems with. The keyboard I have for my computer is so old the letters are wearing off, but it still works fine, how difficult can it be.