Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver

Derailer equipped bikes were not allowed in the TdF until 1937 as even though the technology existed, Henri Desgrange opposed their use.

Early racers also had to ride the same bike from start to finish and complete their own repairs as receiving assistance would result in a penalty to the rider. Christophe was probably the most famous for breaking bicycles and for receiving assistance during a repair where a boy worked the bellows as he repaired a broken fork.

The early races were also longer and the routes were brutal...

Eugene Christophe