Do any of the UCI rule buffs (Gary?) know what the official rule is on tubing? Is it just a 3-to-1 limit? Or are there dimensions involved? I’d once heard something about 80x25 mm as a maximum depth/minimum width, is this true? Or hogwash?
Also, are there any specific rules about headtubes?
Thanks.
Here are all the official UCI equipment rules in ** Chapter III EQUIPMENT: http://uci.ch/modello2.asp?1stlevelid=C&level1=1&level2=15&idnews=1628**
.
c) Configuration 1.3.020 For road races other than time trial races and cyclo-cross events, the frame of the bicycle shall be of a traditional pattern, i.e. built around a main triangle. It shall be constructed of straight or tapered tubular elements (which may be round, oval, flattened, teardrop shaped or otherwise in cross-section) such that the form of each element encloses a straight line. The elements of the frame shall be laid out such that the joining points shall follow the following pattern: the top tube (1) connects the top of the head tube (2) to the top of the seat tube (4); the seat tube (from which the seat post shall extend) shall connect to the bottom bracket shell; the down tube (3) shall connect the bottom bracket shell to the bottom of the head tube. The rear triangles shall be formed by the chain stays (6), the seat stays (5) and the seat tube (4) with the seat stays anchored to the seat tube at points falling within the limits laid down for the slope of the top tube.* (text modified on 7.06.00).* The maximum height of the elements shall be 8 cm and the minimum width 2.5 cm. The minimum width shall be reduced to 1 cm for the chain stays (6) and the seat stays (5). The minimum thickness of the elements of the front fork shall be 1cm; these may be straight or curved (7). (See diagram “Shape (1)”). The top tube may slope, provided that this element fits within an horizontal template defined by a maximum height of 16 cm and a minimum thickness of 2.5cm. . **1.3.021 ** For individual time trials and for track races, 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)”). (text modified on 7.06.00). **
the top tube (1) connects the top of the head tube (2) to the top of the seat tube (4)
So you can see that most TT bikes and even some road bikes with extended seattubes are actually illegal as the toptube does not go to the top of the seattube but rather to some point near the middle of the seattube.
Groan…someone really needs to educate the UCI past the stone age…