Product Details
- Size: 700C X 51 cm
- Color: Gunmetal/White
- Brand: Tour De France
- Model: 31651
- Released on: 2010-10-15
- Number of items: 1
Features
- Frame: Alloy
- Shifters: Shimano Indexed Trigger Shifters
- Wheels: 700c Double Walled Alloy Rim/ Alloy Hubs 36h
- Tires: Innnova 700c/35
- Derailleurs: Shimano Deore/ Shimano Acera
Tour De France Advantage Elite Bicycle (Gunmetal/White, 700C X 51 cm)
Product Description
Advantage Elite is a feature packed machine that is perfect for the serious commuter. The light alloy frame combined with a Shimano drivetrain makes hills a breeze. The Advantage Elite also includes 24 speeds and fenders to keep you and your cargo dry and generator powered front and rear lights for safe nighttime riding.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
By Bus Lamp
I bought this bike because my son owns a Tour De France mountain bike and after riding it I felt this was the ticket for me. I bought the 45cm version of their recreational bike because my inseam measurements are 28 inches. Thus, I needed a horizontal bar to ground clearance under 31 inches. You will note from the picture that this is achieved on the Advantage Elite by the top bar dropping from the handlebar area to the seat post; however, the low ground clearance quickly rises from the seat connection so I'm still in some danger here with my 5' 7" height.I'm a recreational rider doing 25 to 30 miles a ride on paved 'runs'. My previous bike was a Schwinn 26" X 53cm (center crank to seat post opening) which I could straddle on my tip toes so let's get to the 2 rating.Cons: *Plastic fenders with wire braces and small fillips head machine screws acting as stops for the brace placement at the fender (screws dig into plastic fenders to hold their position). I removed the screws and put longer ones in that I could actually get a screw driver on and actually hit the fender.* The generator mounts with one bolt w/o much for clamping it in the right orientation to the wheel and is engaged by pulling out and dropping the generator (thus generator wheel) to the bike tire. The multi-stranded wiring to the generator from each of the lights is not reinforced with solder at the ends so won't make for the best connection to the spring clip generator terminals. The front wire will need to be supported around the front forks because it will get yanked on when the wheel turns for parking. If you expect to actually use the generator be prepared to ride as if you had the breaks on and my guess is that you should probably carry a spare tire if you already aren't doing so. I removed the generator and will consequently remove the lights as well.* The rear light straps to the back of the rear rack which looks great but doing so removes a good anchor point for paniers. I put spacers behind the mounting bolts so I can connect the panier straps.* The rear rack has many adjustable points so it is generally a universal rack. I would have preferred something that went specifically for this bike. All that hardware will require checking for looseness sooner or later.* I changed the seat on the bike right away. It is probably ok for marathon biking but for 'sitting up style' recreational riding it doesn't do the job. It is more suited to a woman in either case.* I found the distance from seat to handlebars a little long. That is probably due to my height though. I found myself bent forward more than I would like which causes more pressure on my hands to the point they will go numb on me while riding. I'm at the end of travel on the handlebar stem so I may need to buy some riser type handlebars. Oh - these handle bars are pretty narrow also which if you are used to 26 inches or more these might make a difference in your riding comfort as well. It's worse for me.* I like to carry a water bottle on the frame but the only two screw mounts are under the angled triple tube running from the crank to the handle bar area. (Probably meant for a hand pump.) I will work it out eventually but, for this kind of money, I would have expected multiple mounting options.* Though shipping was fast, the bike came in a large single box with little packing and the pieces fit together to take up as little room as possible. The front wheel, the handle bars and stem, and rear rack were separated in the box. The rear rack was placed under the rear tire which was mounted to the frame. The trouble here was that the box was dropped somewhere along the way and the rim was actually kinked in the process along with the derailleur sprocket (bent) separated. I contacted Tour De France and they sent an immediate replacement - THX - but tuning the gearing is still in process after several rides.* I already mentioned that I'm a little guy but I have wide feet so most standard pedals hit me about half way across my foot to the outside of the pedal. (Very irritating in several respects.) These are no exception and are rather cheap, real cheap, all plastic pedals that will also need to be replaced. At least for me anyway.* I'm a fan of the quick shift, thumb shifters but would have preferred that they were separate from the brakes giving more options for break lever position to shift lever position. Truthfully these are not as quick as my wife's old, lever type, position shifters.* The crank is pretty smooth but the throw could have been longer on the 45cm Advantage Elite. That way the seat would not need to be raised as much (leg should be nearly fully extended at the bottom of the throw). That would have partially taken care of the problem of being bent over when holding the handle bars.Well that doesn't leave much for what I like does it? So, here is my short list of 'pros':* It rolls well. Not dramatically different from my old Schwinn Tank but enough where I can keep up with my wife.* I like the extra three gears over my original bike for one reason. The transition from 6 to 7 on my old 21 speed was steep, whereas, the transition form 6 to 7 and then to 8 on this 24 speed is a pretty even step change. (Still having problems with slipping from 4th to 5th gear and back again without touching anything.)Bottom Line :( The Advantage Elite has a slight edge over my old bike so it will be a keeper; however, I will tell you what I was told prior to this purchase. Go to a local bike shop and try out a few bikes until you find one that is just "you". The price, the looks, and the online ease of purchase of this one made me side step that advice but, I could have paid an extra $200 to avoid the troubles I'm now having. Most likely I will pay another $100 in add on parts and around $80 for a tune up before I actually get things right. Also my blood, sweat, and tears are worth something in my book. Good Luck! - Biker Buster
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
By John Winnett
This bike rides great - was looking for Peugeot, the brand I have always been riding, and find this bike has a similar feel. The rack and fenders are useful since this is my first mode of transportation. Even with the extras this machine still rides light, and they are true to their word;hills are a breeze. I plan to maintain and keep this bike for years. J.W.
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