The Weight Weenies will like this.

[gummibear]

UCI's "outdated" 6.8kg minimum bike weight rule to be replaced?

 

The UCI's "outdated" rule requiring bikes used in races to weigh at least 6.8kg could be scrapped.

Instead, Dimitris Katsanis, drafted into the UCI as a technical consultant at the beginning of 2014, told BikeRadar that the notorious regulation could be replaced by an ISO standard that ensures frames and components meet minimum safety requirements instead.

The development could mean that designers are freed up to develop even lighter frames, as well as incorporate disc brake technology into bikes that are used in UCI-sanctioned races such as the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.

The 6.8kg (15.99lb) rule – 1.3.019 in the UCI rule book – was applied in 2000. It was implemented to ensure that bikes remained robust and safe to use. But as technology has moved on, frame makers have been able to produce light, stiff and safe production frames weighing as little as 670g. In the pro peloton, mechanics are often forced to add extra mass to ensure they don't fail at the race commissaires' scales.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2014/04/07/1396884552803-c4auxrtk2uyk-357-70.jpg

Peter Sagan's Cannondale Super-Six Evo in 2012 had a 400g steel spindle in the crank to meet the 6.8kg requirement

 

Katsanis said: "At that time there was no intentional standard of safety for bicycles, so the regulator did a pretty good job to try and predict what it could be in a few years' time, so the 6.8kg rule at that time was very much a safety net; you don't go below that because you're going to make a bike that’s very fragile.

"Yes, today, this is a bit outdated and we are looking on how we can better do that."

On 20 May, an ISO committee made up of representatives from national standards agencies such as the UK's BSI and America's ANSI will vote on a raft of new standards and measurement criteria for 'cycles and major sub assemblies'. These new standards – scheduled for introduction over the summer – could underpin any planned regulatory changes at the UCI.

 

However Katsanis refused to put a time frame on when the 6.8kg rule could potentially be overhauled or replaced.

"Of course the implementation of this will take time for manufacturers to test their bikes and come up with a certificate that says this bike can actually pass the test," Katsanis said.

"It can be six months, 12 months, two years depending on how long the manufacturers take to respond."

It's not the first time the rule has been up for debate. In 2011, the UCI's then technical co-ordinator Julien Carron hinted that the rule could be replaced with a safety-based regulation similar to that suggested by Katsanis.

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You can also improve your fitness and train with us on training.bikeradar.com.

Edited April 9, 2014 by gummibear

[American Flyers]

Maybe they must change to 6kg instead of 6,8kg...

 

I feel they need to put weight limit on frames and wheels because lots of frames go under 1kg and wheels go near 1kg, so the rest is 4,8kg. It does not make sense to me???

[gummibear]

Maybe they must change to 6kg instead of 6,8kg...

 

I feel they need to put weight limit on frames and wheels because lots of frames go under 1kg and wheels go near 1kg, so the rest is 4,8kg. It does not make sense to me???

 

Top frames are sub 700 grams and a few climbing wheels at 960gr for a set.

 

I've seen quite a few daily rides at 6.3-6.5kg.

[ebenvn]

Wonder how light they can do a reliable and safe build, capable of racing a tour?

[Tiny K]

So 'Dale's Canondale Hi-Mod Super6 may actually become UCI legal?!

[raythorpesa]

There was a bike at the Cycle Tour expo on display last year (2013) that was a mere 5kg if I'm not mistaken! Could even have been 4,8kg. Price tag of the bike was a cool R120k.

[gummibear]

Wonder how light they can do a reliable and safe build, capable of racing a tour?

 

Around 6kg would be reliable.

[gummibear]

5.3kg Storck

 

http://www.storck-bicycle.de/mdb/img/bike2012_122.jpg

['Dale]

So 'Dale's Canondale Hi-Mod Super6 may actually become UCI legal?!

 

I know where you live...

 

Capisce!

['Dale]

Contentious issue that touches on power-weight ratio, safety, etc

Gonna take a long time to shift, I reckon.

 

[LOOK695]

 

 

I know where you live...

 

Capisce!

So, how much, or how little does your bike weigh with your recently acquired Mavic hoops

[blacksmith]

The rule is a bit ridiculous to be quite honest. So the top-end bikes weigh sub-5kg, which means they now add extra weight somewhere to be UCI compliant. This definitely improves reliability...

 

For this I agree, ISO standard is the way to go.

[rock]

a lot of pro's are rolling around 7.3kg to 7.8kg no problem.....well it seems that way when you see those review of pro bikes.....most on alloy bars, old favourite saddles etc.

[rock]

According to Cyclingnews

 

Thomas Geraint's Pina - 7.54kg

Sagan's Synapse - 7.45kg

Adam Hansen's Ridley - 7kg

Arashiro's Colnago C59 - 6.95kg

Mohoric's Cannondale - 7.13 kg

Kittel's Giant - 7.23kg

 

I realize diff set ups for different races, but still.

[Spinnekop]

4.4kg Crumpton

 

http://fairwheelbikes.com/c/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/crumpton_road_ib1-960x638.jpg

[Spinnekop]

Another Crummy at 4.4

 

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3441/dsc1252e.jpg