Product Development: Racing vs. Touring

With the 2025 Tour de France in full swing, Jan Heine recently published an interesting short article on racing versus touring over on the Rene Herse Cycles blog. In it, he discusses a handful of technological developments tailored to elite professional racers and how they’ve undoubtedly improved the bikes the rest of us ride but don’t tend to meet the needs of cyclists riding longer days at more modest paces. He points out how there are fundamental differences in the ways racers and tourers interact with their bikes, and components designed for one realm can have detrimental consequences when used in the other.

In Product Development: Racing vs. Touring, Jan also shares some insightful anecdotes from pro cyclists turned bikepackers and findings from folks taking on events like the Tour Divide. With specific mentions of handlebars, saddles, pedals, racks, lights, and fenders, there’s a good amount of information to digest and consider when it comes to bike fit and finish. Why do pros care so much about pedals but not handlebar shapes or saddle comfort? Find out here.

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