UCI junior gearing for road

[DNC]

Greetings all.

Is anyone able to advise if CSA has released updated regulations regarding the new UCI junior gearing rule changes for 2023? There seems to be a fair amount of confusion around this issue.

We've recently moved from SA to Aus and I've installed 'junior gearing' to my 15yr old son's road bike, but he will be racing in SA for the next few years as well.

Online searching defines 'junior' as 17 & 18yr group, and seems to be supported by the article link below as well as Aus Cycling and British Cycling regulations: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-scraps-junior-gearing-restrictions-for-2023/

British Cycling: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20221221-about-bc-static-Regulation-change--Junior-gearing-0 - note that it states no changes to 'Youth' gearing regulations.

I've spoken to a few local coaches and the interpretation here in Aus is that all age groups younger than 17 are still required to use junior gearing with the roll-out distances in place. The only roll-out distance removed is the 7.93m for the 17 & 18 yr olds, which is the same as the British Cycling updated rules for 2023 which still has the various roll-out distances for the younger age groups defined.

Then in SA I know that kids are riding CSA sanctioned races with full/regular gearing (at least at provincial level) in the younger age groups. I haven't been able to find any clarity in CSA regulations yet...still looking.

Just confused/interested and would greatly appreciate some clarification. Many thanks.

 

Edited January 18, 2023 by DNC

[Barry]

5 hours ago, DNC said:

Greetings all.

Is anyone able to advise if CSA has released updated regulations regarding the new UCI junior gearing rule changes for 2023? There seems to be a fair amount of confusion around this issue.

We've recently moved from SA to Aus and I've installed 'junior gearing' to my 15yr old son's road bike, but he will be racing in SA for the next few years as well.

Online searching defines 'junior' as 17 & 18yr group, and seems to be supported by the article link below as well as Aus Cycling and British Cycling regulations: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-scraps-junior-gearing-restrictions-for-2023/

British Cycling: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20221221-about-bc-static-Regulation-change--Junior-gearing-0 - note that it states no changes to 'Youth' gearing regulations.

I've spoken to a few local coaches and the interpretation here in Aus is that all age groups younger than 17 are still required to use junior gearing with the roll-out distances in place. The only roll-out distance removed is the 7.93m for the 17 & 18 yr olds, which is the same as the British Cycling updated rules for 2023 which still has the various roll-out distances for the younger age groups defined.

Then in SA I know that kids are riding CSA sanctioned races with full/regular gearing (at least at provincial level) in the younger age groups. I haven't been able to find any clarity in CSA regulations yet...still looking.

Just confused/interested and would greatly appreciate some clarification. Many thanks.

 

@Zeffer Maybe Charles Kros can give you the correct information. 

[Zeffer]

8 minutes ago, Barry said:

@Zeffer Maybe Charles Kros can give you the correct information. 

Morning.
Yes, junior gearing was scrapped by UCI.
CSA subsequently also scrapped it for ROAD , as well as for all age groups https://www.cyclingsa.com/cycling-south-africa-removes-restricted-gearing-for-all-youth-riders/

But for TRACK there are still restriction https://www.cyclingsa.com/cycling-south-africa-revises-gearing-restrictions-for-track-cycling/

Hope this helps

[Barry]

With the move made by UCI to scrap the restrictions the component manufacturers have also stopped making the cassettes. Also had somthing to do with the 12&13 Speed drivetrain and junior ratios was creating a challenge for Shimano etc.

Edited January 18, 2023 by Barry

[DNC]

Thanks @Zeffer, appreciate the feedback.

So as I understand it, UCI has scrapped junior gearing for junior group (17 & 18yr old bracket) only, but national federations can do their own thing, like CSA scrapping the gearing for all age groups while UK and Aus are only dropping it for 17 & 18yr group in line with UCI.

The availability of parts will definitely become an issue in the future but still readily available in Aus. 

 

[DieselnDust]

Jnr gearing was scrapped mostly because the cassettes were no longer available globally

[DNC]

Cassette availability is no doubt a contributing factor but the gearing is still seemingly required for all ages younger than 17 (with the exclusion of SA, based on the link posted by Zeffer above).

[DieselnDust]

The only way to ensure that younger riders comply would be to limit the usable gears on the bike. This is how other federations could practically manage the rule, if not then they’ve got it wrong. I don’t see why fearing is restricted anyways. There’s no proven physiological impact being addressed by maintaining gearing restrictions. 

[DNC]

Agreed, it isn't necessary. 

So Aus recently shared guidance approving the 'blocking off' (limiting) of regular gears to make compliance to the regulation easier so that parents don't need to go hunt for the specific cassettes and chainrings.