January 31/02 10:12 am - New UCI Wheel Regulations, Employment Opportunity

Posted by Editoress on 01/31/02
 

Courtesy Mike Shea

Hello all.
I had the good fortune to attend this years UCI commissaire's Conference at the New World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland.
There is a new rule that will affect all mass start racing and I thought it a good idea to spread the word.

1.3.018

Wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum,includ- ing the tyre.For the cyclo-cross bicycle the width of the tyre shall not exceed 35 mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud. For massed start road races only wheel designs granted prior approval by the UCI may be used.In order to be granted approval wheels must have passed a rupture test as prescribed by the UCI in a laboratory approved by the UCI.The test results must show that the rupture characteristics obtained are compatible with those resulting from an impact sustained during normal use of the wheel.The following criteria must be fulfilled: On impact,no element of the wheel may become detached and be expelled outwards. The rupture must not present any shattered or broken off elements,or any sharp or serrated sur- faces that could harm the user,other riders and/or spectators. The rupture characteristics must not cause the hub to become separated from the rim in such a way that the wheel becomes detached from the forks. Without prejudice to the tests imposed by the laws,regulations or customs, standard (traditional)wheels are exempted from the rupture test referred to above.A traditional wheel is deemed to be a wheel with at least 16 metal spokes;the spokes may be round,flat or oval,provided that no dimension of their cross sections exceeds 2.4 mm;the section of the rim must not exceed 2.5 cm on each side. Notwithstanding this article,the choice and use of wheels remains subject to articles 1.3.001 a 1.3.003. (Article applicable as from 1 January 2002).

To be used in the mass start road races from 1 January 2002, the non-standard wheels have to undergo a rupture test (article 1.3.018). Only the standard (traditional) wheels are exempt from this rupture test. A traditional wheel is deemed to be a wheel with a minimum of 16 metal spokes. The spokes may be round, flat or oval, provided that no dimension of their cross sections exceeds 2.4 mm. The section of the rim must not exceed 2.5 cm on each side. For more information, you can contact Philippe Chevallier, the UCI equipment co-ordinator (philippe.chevallier@uci.ch)

The following is a list of wheels that have met the test so far. This list is growing all the time as non standard wheels are commonplace. A word in observation of the testing. I saw a video of the wheels that passed and some that failed. It should be noted that the test destroyed all the wheels tested. but that at least the wheels that passed would not put your fork tips into the ground or leave sharp and dangerous parts to impale you.

AMBROSIO
Onda
X Carbio

CAMPAGNOLO
Neutron Tubular and Clincher

MAVIC
Cosmic Carbone SSC
Ksyrium SSC
Ksyrium SSC SL

Shimano
WH 7700 / Carbon, tubular
WH 7700
WH 6500
WH R535
WH 7701

TREK
Bontrager X-Lite Tubular / Clincher
Bontrager Race Lite Tubular / Clincher

SPINERGY
SRX (2B02)
SR3 (2S02)
X AERO (PRI-FC-111)
X AERO LITE (2L02)

As you can see this is a short list and many of the wheels out there are deeper or wider than 2.5 cm (aprox 1").

2 of the wheels that did not pass were the Spinergy 8 spoke carbon fibre spoke wheel and Campagnolo's Shamal.

These restrictions are for Mass Start races TT, individual pursuit and Kilo are not covered here.


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