I searched first… can’t figure out the answer to this question.
UCI has declared them fairings and illegal, which they most obviously are, as they are not part of the structure of the rear wheel.
Why do triathlon rules allow them? I thought fairings were prohibited as well.
Are they prohibited in Europe, Asia, etc?
I believe the rule states that fairings are illegal except in the case of wheels. But I’m too lazy (or don’t care enough) to go find the rule and post it here.
There must be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle (including frame, wheels, handlebars, chain wheel, and accessories) which has the effect of reducing resistance. Aerodynamic carriers for food, water, and or cycling provisions may be attached to or be an integral part of the aerohandlebars if they meet the following guidelines: (i) the carrier can pass from front to rear, through a rectangular loop with dimensions of 10 inches (25 cm) in width and 8 inches (20 cm) in height.(ii) The front of the carrier is behind the cyclist’s hands when the hands are placed in their customary position on the end of the aerobars, and (iii) The length of the carrier is no greater than 10 inches (25 cm) front to rear. When the carrier is an integral part of the aerobar, this integrated unit must be able to pass through the rectangular loop defined in (i) above and the carrier portion of the unit must meet criteria (ii) and (iii). In the event that compliance with this section is in doubt with respect to any particular carrier or integrated unit, a
member of USA Triathlon may submit the carrier or integrated unit to USA Triathlon for evaluation.
I believe the rule states that fairings are illegal except in the case of wheels. But I’m too lazy (or don’t care enough) to go find the rule and post it here.
I searched first… can’t figure out the answer to this question.
UCI has declared them fairings and illegal, which they most obviously are, as they are not part of the structure of the rear wheel.
Why do triathlon rules allow them? I thought fairings were prohibited as well.
Are they prohibited in Europe, Asia, etc?
You ask “Why?” Because it makes perfect sense that if you allow disc wheels, then you should also allow the functional equivalent (i.e. covers on a spoked wheel) especially as it regards the “cost of participation”…or, are you implying that somehow covers are functionally better than a “true” disc?
Actually…the UCI is the outlier on this allowance…or, lack thereof…
You should read all of the rule (5.11)
(g) Except as otherwise determined by the race director in the interest of safety, the front wheel may be of a different diameter than the rear wheel, but the front wheel must be of spoke construction. The rear wheel may be either spoke or solid construction. Wheel covers shall only be permitted on the rear wheel.
Edit: It is an awkwardly written rule, and the lettering is all out of order on USAT’s pdf of the rulebook, further complicating things.
I searched first… can’t figure out the answer to this question.
UCI has declared them fairings and illegal, which they most obviously are, as they are not part of the structure of the rear wheel.
Why do triathlon rules allow them? I thought fairings were prohibited as well.
Are they prohibited in Europe, Asia, etc?
You ask “Why?” Because it makes perfect sense that if you allow disc wheels, then you should also allow the functional equivalent (i.e. covers on a spoked wheel) especially as it regards the “cost of participation”…or, are you implying that somehow covers are functionally better than a “true” disc?
Actually…the UCI is the outlier on this allowance…or, lack thereof…
“Functional Equivalent”. I agree with that logic.
I don’t think everyone needs a disc cover to compete… so the “cost of participation” argument is a bit weak.
And for the posts on this thread stating USAT rules… people OUTSIDE OF THE USA compete in triathlon, and there are races OUTSIDE OF THE USA, so the USAT rulebook is only useful in that context. And even then… only for USAT sanctioned races.
“Functional Equivalent”. I agree with that logic.
I don’t think everyone needs a disc cover to compete… so the “cost of participation” argument is a bit weak.
No…it’s not “needed” to compete, but it is demonstrably faster to have a solid rear wheel, so why penalize the less expensive route to the functional equivalent?
and nose cones are legal, or not depending on…
define wheel cover
.
“Functional Equivalent”. I agree with that logic.
I don’t think everyone needs a disc cover to compete… so the “cost of participation” argument is a bit weak.
No…it’s not “needed” to compete, but it is demonstrably faster to have a solid rear wheel, so why penalize the less expensive route to the functional equivalent?
That’s exactly what I felt – penalized for going the less expensive route (Philippines: CamSur 70.3, a WTC event; wheel covers were banned, but not store-bought boutique discs). Blah…
Why do triathlon rules allow them? I thought fairings were prohibited as well.
Are they prohibited in Europe, Asia, etc?
They are illegal in draft-legal ITU races, but specifically allowed in draft-illegal ITU races by the ITU rulebook.
Triathlon Australia have a similar exemption to USAT for wheel covers.
I am interested to know however, if covers are permitted for WTC sanctioned IM / 70.3 races (other than Hawaii)?
Now I’m confused. I also haven’t had my caffiene fix yet. I need clarification, are they legal or illegal in triathlon?
(i) the carrier can pass from front to rear, through a rectangular loop with dimensions of 10 inches (25 cm) in width and 8 inches (20 cm) in height. And on a related note, what about the straw on aero bottles up front? Don’t they make the “carrier” more than 8 inches tall. I wonder why this isn’t an issue. And if the argument is that the straw isn’t aero, the new company that has posted pictures here with the aero straw (Tor Hans?) certainly has more than 8 inches of vertical aeroness going in front of the rider. I wonder if this will be a rules issue.