Here’s a cool blog read on Gizmodo highlighting the evolution of the Tdf race bike, such as, before derailleurs were introduced, in 1937, riders would have to get off their bikes to switch gears; and before that, it was single speed!
Also, Miguel Indurain was the last to win the Tour on a steel-framed bike, in 1994, on a 19.8lbs “Pinarello” rumoured to have been built by Dario Pegoretti; the last non-carbon fiber roadbike to win was in 1998 by Marco Pantani on an aluminum Bianchi; first to ride a carbon bike from start to finish? Lance Armstrong.
Have a read here.
BikeWar 
Awesome reblog, the full article was really good, really cool pics of a glimpse of the history of cycling and the TDF, keep up the rad posts!
Thanks. We found it interesting. Never thought about when rear derailleurs were invented, and a lot of the climbs were not yet paved! Thanks for commenting.