Looking at a new TT frame to replace the Giant TCR aero. What exactly are the regulations? I know they have a 5cm rule, but for my wife (who is 5’2") and rides a 48cm frame and myself at 5’6" with a short femur that puts us waaaay back. Are there exceptions for leg length.
It seems stupid that a 6"6" rider and a 5’6" rider should both have their saddle 5cm behind the bottom bracket. That makes the taller riders effective seat tube much steeper.
http://www.uci.ch/imgArchive/Rules/1gene-E.pdf
Pages 51 and following. Good luck.
Off the top of my head: Double triangle frame (Softrides are illegal) Nose of saddle 5cm behind the center of bb Mass start and cyclo cross races have to have a minimum of 12 spoke wheels 6.8k min weight 1:3 aero profile ratio on fork blades and tubing (my Reynolds Ouzo Aero Pro is illegal) “The bicycle shall be propelled solely, through a chainset, by the legs moving in a circular movement” (Rotor Cranks are UCI legal)
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Those are some, but not all the regulations. For example, we get such gems as:
1.3.020 The top tube may slope, provided that this element fits within a horizontal template defined by a maximum height of 16 cm and a minimum thickness of 2.5 cm.
and
1.3.021 For road time trials and for track competitions,the elements of the bicycle frame may be tubular or solid, assembled or cast in a single piece in any form (including arches, cradles, beams or any other). These elements, including the bottom bracket shell, shall fit within a template of the «triangular form» defined in article 1.3.020. (See diagram «Shape (2)»).
And it goes on and on.
I was thinking that there was an exception on the 5cm rule in the case of really short bikes. That makes life difficult for me because the smallest size Cervelo (I was considering the P2K) has too long of a top tube in the smallest 700c size if I set the seat at the 75 degree angle.
Are you actually participating in USCF/UCI competitions or just triathlon? I can’t get my saddle 5cm behind the bb on my P2K, and it’s a size 55cm.
So the 5cm regulation doesn’t apply to ITU/USAT races? What about the thing about fitting a credit card between the rear wheel and the seat post?
-Colin
The 5cm and credit card rules are UCI. Meaning Canadian, European, and USCF races after Jan 1 2007.
Not sure about ITU. No on USAT. No idea about the credit card. I’d just check with the individual organizations rule books, which are probably available online.
There is a morphology exception:
"The peak of the saddle shall be a minimum of 5 cm to the rear of a vertical plane passing through
the bottom bracket spindle1). This restriction shall not be applied to the bicycle ridden by a rider in a
track sprint event, keirin, 500 metres or 1 kilometre time trials; however, in no circumstances shall
the peak of the saddle extend in front of a vertical line passing through the bottom bracket spindle.
http://www.uci.ch/english/about/rules_2004/ch01.pdf, see 1.3.013
Thanks Ken, I will have to do some measurements, it really looks like I will be needing about 75-76 degrees max and perhaps chopping the nose of the saddle at some point.
I primarily race USCF masters events, will be looking at going to Nationals. My goal is to make sure new bike will work with regulations as I want to keep it for a while.
Any feedback on the X-lab Mach 2 frame? I can get a great deal on the frame through our sponsoring shop and these look pretty sweet. The 53cm has a short top tube with a 76 degree angle so I believe I should be able to get the required position.
Thanks Ken, I will have to do some measurements, it really looks like I will be needing about 75-76 degrees max and perhaps chopping the nose of the saddle at some point.
You did read the regulations regarding saddles didn’t you. You’d better know what you’re doing before you begin shortening the saddle. As I tried to show, the full regulations are incredibly complex and detailed. It would be to your benefit to read the full regulations. I believe the link was posted several hours ago.
Any rider who, for these reasons, considers that he needs to use a bicycle of lesser dimensions than
those given shall inform the Commissaires Panel to that effect when presenting his licence. In that
case, the Panel may conduct the following test. Using a plumb-line, they shall check to see whether,
when pedalling, the point of the rider’s knee when at its foremost position passes beyond a vertical
line passing through the pedal spindle (see diagram “Measurements (2)”).
Man what a loop hole. Just tell them they need to measure this and ride on a trainer while sitting as far back on the saddle as necessary. Then race way forward on the saddle.
Styrrell
Just as for bicycle weight, the Commissaires are, I believe, free to measure (or weigh) a bicycle after the race. Adjusting the parameters of the bicycle after initial measuring would be fraud.