Why is it against the rules to ride a cyclocross bike in a Xterra race? I understand that on most courses you would probably want/need mountain bike suspension and/or tires but why isn’t this an athletes choice? We allow mountain bikers to ride in road tri’s even though its clearly less than ideal so why not allow roadies to take the risk on the tamer off-road courses?
What do the rules specifically prohibit? I know of a couple courses where a cross bike might be faster because the single track is pretty wide open and not to rutted or technical.
I will say that cross bikes mixed on the same corse as MTB can cause issues because in some sections they will be dramitcally slower and dramatically faster in others. So it might be a safety issue. They also lack strong braking power, so could be an issue on a congested course when trying ot pass.
2.1.
Equipment: Only mountain bikes are legal for competition.
•Cyclo-cross bikes are not allowed.
•No drop handlebars are allowed. No aero bars are allowed.
•All bikes must have 26” or 29” wheels.
•Bar extensions or grips off the handlebars may not exceed five inches (5”)
•Any/all bar ends must be capped.
So what’s the difference between a Mtn bike and a CX bike with flat handlebars?
Fixed CX with flat shortie bars! Technically, it wouldn’t be illegal…
So what’s the difference between a Mtn bike and a CX bike with flat handlebars?
“All bikes must have 26” or 29” wheels.”
.
In reference to the recent front page article “wheel wars size” I wonder what Xterra uses to define 26 inch and 29 inch wheels. Is a 700 c wheel a 29inch wheel according to Xterra and do how do they train officials to tell the difference? It seems to me to be a catch-all to clause to allow for technically ‘dumbed down’ races while protecting the image of the race against someone showing up and smashing it on a cross-bike. Additionally as disc brakes start to become more standard in cross I don’t think braking power will be a issue. It just seems strange to me so much emphasis is put on the UCI’s definition of a bike on the Forum when it does not affect the vast majority of us but no one ever questions Xterra’s definition of an appropriate bike when may of us could well enter an off-road tri.
So what’s the difference between a Mtn bike and a CX bike with flat handlebars?
“All bikes must have 26” or 29” wheels.”
700C = 29er.
So all those new 650B (27 or 27.5 depending on who you listen to) bikes aren’t allowed?
Reading this stuff makes me happy I live in flat Florida. I don’t need anymore reasons to buy more cool bikes. I’m already hiding things from my wife now… Those xterra races look like a blast. Maybe they are looking to keep the playing field more equal then in triathlons? Tri bikes have such a big speed advantage over road bikes on most triathlon courses. Maybe the same idea with CX vs mountain bikes?
So what’s the difference between a Mtn bike and a CX bike with flat handlebars?
“All bikes must have 26” or 29” wheels.”
700C = 29er.
So all those new 650B (27 or 27.5 depending on who you listen to) bikes aren’t allowed?
Duh… I was thinking 700c was 27" for some reason.
Good point on the 650b stuff.
2013 rules specifically allow 27.5" btw:
- Bike:
2.1.Equipment: Only mountain bikes are legal for competition. Cyclo-cross
bikes are not allowed. No drop handlebars are allowed. No aero bars are
allowed. All bikes must have 26”, 27.5” or 29” wheels. Bar extensions or
grips off the handlebars may not exceed five inches(5”)
Any/all bar ends must be capped.
I guess someone could try to pass off a flat handled cross bike as a mtb, though you’d have to have a death wish to use a cross bike here in the SE.
And yes (to the other poster), Xterra’s are a blast :). There are several in FL - check one out!
2.1.
Equipment: Only mountain bikes are legal for competition.
•Cyclo-cross bikes are not allowed.
•No drop handlebars are allowed. No aero bars are allowed.
•All bikes must have 26” or 29” wheels.
•Bar extensions or grips off the handlebars may not exceed five inches (5”)
•Any/all bar ends must be capped.
Thanks. I could have looked that up myself I guess. I suppose they want to keep the race “in the spirit” of off road racing. The assume reasons are both in terms of good sport and safety as I mentioned. I think the goal was to bring MTB racers into the triathlon fold and broaden the sport. They cancelled the only Xterra race near me. I might try and find one in Michigan and time it with a trip to visit my family there.
Duh… I was thinking 700c was 27" for some reason.
It is close to that too. 27 inch road bikes rims are different from the 700C rim that is the same rim diameter as 29er. The 29 comes from the effective diameter with the tire on.
Confusing, huh?
Unless front suspension is a requirement, good luck to all those refs in determining the difference between a rigid 29er and a cross bike with disc brakes and a flat handlebar.
John Tomac says this is a mountain bike with drop bars… screw what Xterra says- I’m with him.
Yep, Tomac had it right. This is the bike I ride a lot:
Custom steel waltworks frame and fork, 650b stans rims, 2.25 racing ralphs, sram force drivetrain…the bike rips on single track.