UCI's new rules to slow down riders.

[Jaco Steyn]

I read this article this morning on the Daily Maverick. I think this was also mentioned during the TDF by the commentators.

Elite cyclists gear up for new controversial rules

Will this now mean that licensed riders taking part in UCI sanctioned events will have to get wider handlebars for their road bikes? or is this only applicable to the elite bunch?

Excepts from the article:

"What are the new rules?

From 1 August, a new bicycle gearing regulation kicks in. Professional cyclists will only be allowed to use a 54-tooth front chain ring with an 11-tooth rear cog. This replaces the current common set-up of 54-10.

To put this into context, a 54-tooth chain ring is the big front gear on a bike and the 11-tooth cog is a small rear gear. Moving to a slightly bigger cog (54-11) makes it harder to hit top speeds: the change from a 54-10 to a 54-11 gear set-up could reduce the top speed by about 2.4 kilometres per hour. Pro riders can reach incredible speeds during descents, sometimes surpassing 130 kilometres per hour.

Then, from 1 January 2026, handlebars must become wider, increasing from a minimum 350mm to 360mm width (depending on the event) to at least 400mm wide."

[NotSoBigBen]

Nothing surprises me from this lot anymore 🤪

https://escapecollective.com/uci-considering-a-ban-on-32-inch-wheel-size/

[love2fly]

When a pro bombs it down an Alp at over 100kmhr, it's not the chainring size that makes a difference.

[Iwan Kemp]

Maximum wheel depth is also up for discussion (and when I say discussion, I mean the UCI will probably just force it through)
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/swiss-side-slams-ucis-new-rim-depth-rules-in-open-letter/

So too handlebar width
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-doubles-down-on-handlebar-width-limits-and-maximum-gearing-test-despite-ongoing-criticism/

And fork/rear stay widths
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/has-the-uci-just-banned-factors-new-aero-bike-before-it-was-even-released/

[rock]

someone had to

[bleedToWin]

On 8/3/2025 at 11:13 AM, Jaco Steyn said:

UCI sanctioned events will have to get wider handlebars for their road bikes? or is this only applicable to the elite bunch?

Not all riders in sanctioned races, only licensed riders.