UCI's new tech guy said the 6.8kg weight limit for bikes could be relaxed.
UCI weight restrictions may be relaxed in the future. But - and it's a big but - the relaxation will only come about after bike companies get their bikes and components tested in UCI-sanctioned independent labs.
Manufacturers, pro teams and consumers have long wanted bikes to be made lighter than 6.8kg, but the Union Cycliste Internationale has hitherto prevented such bikes being allowed to race in UCI-sanctioned races.
With the widespread use of composite materials for frames and forks it is now easily possible to make bicycles that weigh much less than 6.8kg.
The UCI has long held that bikes lighter than 6.8kg are prone to failure, and are 'exotic' and expensive so disadvantage athletes from developing countries.
In a meeting with journalists yesterday UCI president Pat McQuaid stressed that safety of riders was of paramount concern and lighter bikes were "skippy" and potentially unsafe.
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He was talking to trade and consumer journalists flown in to the UCI HQ in Switzerland from around the world to report on the progress of the UCI's homologation process for frames and forks.
In a continuation of the meeting today, the UCI's technical coordinator Julien Carron said the weight issue was an important one for companies selling bicycles. In a departure from the normal UCI line on the 6.8kg limit, Carron said the limit could be dropped if manufacturers could prove their frames and components were safe.
Proof would need to be supplied by independent labs rather than from self-certification from in-house testing. The testing protocols would need to be far in advance of the current CEN safety standards, said Carron.
A video of Carron's presentation has been posted to Vimeo; the presentation from Pat McQuaid is already online. Get updates via my Twitter feed: @carltonreid
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2 comments
Presumably it will be the UCI doing this 'advanced' testing at their 'independent' labs, and charging a small fortune for the privilege?? Problem is, as soon as one company does it and everyone starts using their lighter, UCI certified parts every other manufacturer will be obliged to follow suit, leading to huge cash gains for the UCI and increased prices for the consumer to cover the companies costs.
Steven Land Jun 30th 2011 at 1:29AM
0 0Its all total B****x. Do you know how many brands can come out of one assembly factory using the same frame and forks ??? One can be approved but the other cannot because it has a different label on it. So little Johnny saves up his money, get his new bike and joins a club eventually to have a go at racing to be told " sorry son but some daft **** in Switzerland knows best and you will have to buy a bike thats been approved for racing "
Steve Fenton Jun 30th 2011 at 12:29PM
0 0