First brands and models receive UCI approved label

The Internation Cycling Union (UCI) has revealed the list of approved the first frames and forks.

Richard Sachs Cycles, Scott Sports, Cicli Pinarello, Willier, Triestina, Felt, Cannondale and BMC are the first brands to have UCI approved models. A full updated list can be found on the UCI website here.

When they arrive on the market the frames and forks will carry a label certifying that they have the UCI seal of approval.

“We appreciate that manufacturers on the whole have welcomed this new approval procedure," commented Julien Carron, UCi tecnical coordinator. "In January a meeting was organised at the UCI headquarters to enable manufacturers to actively contribute to the structure of the procedure.The UCI now continuously receives requests for approval from manufacturers, which clearly shows that the approval procedure is well accepted.”

The new system came into effect on January 1st 2011, and following consultation with manufacturers, the UCI set up three approval procedures; a comprehensive procedure (costing CHF 5,000) for monocoque models used in road time trials and track competitions, an intermediate procedure (costing CHF 3,000) for monocoque models used in massed start road races and cyclo cross, and a simplified procedure (CHF 500) for tubular models. Those costings cover a maximum of eight different sizes – a CHF 50 to CHF 500 per frame size will be requested of manufacturers hoping to approve a larger number of sizes.

The UCI statement said: "It is important to note that the above mentioned costs are merely cost-covering prices. The UCI will not in any way profit from the approval process. The amount charged for the various approval procedures may be adapted in the future, depending on the evolution of the project’s finances."

Felt president Bill Duehring said: “Felt is very proud to be among the first bicycle makers to receive the new UCI race-approved label. As a performance-oriented company fully committed to the competition side of cycling, we totally support this new clear and streamlined process. It takes any subjectivity out of what is UCI-legal and what isn’t, something we are 100% in favour of. Given the modern day complexity, lead times and costs associated with building advanced design bicycles we are quite happy to see the UCI embrace manufacturers as they have.”

Frame manufacturer Richard Sachs, specialist in the production of frames for road cycling and cyclo-cross, commented: “After my initial approval request, everything happened quickly. The procedure was simple and low cost. As manager and sponsor of a cyclo-cross team that participates in around thirty races per season, I have to say that the approval procedure for a product is as simple as that of registering for a race.”