{"id":44164,"date":"2022-11-30T15:34:47","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T14:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=706560"},"modified":"2022-11-30T16:11:38","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T15:11:38","slug":"6-key-changes-to-the-ucis-equipment-regulations-and-what-they-mean-for-bike-tech-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/6-key-changes-to-the-ucis-equipment-regulations-and-what-they-mean-for-bike-tech-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"6 key changes to the UCI\u2019s equipment regulations \u2013 and what they mean for bike tech in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 30 November 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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With the 2022 season coming to a close, the Union Cycliste International (or UCI for short \u2013 the sport\u2019s global governing body) has its beady eyes fixed firmly on updating the sport\u2019s technical regulations for the following year.<\/p>\n

Yes, that\u2019s right, a new version of the (snappily named) Clarification guide of the UCI technical regulations<\/a> has been published, and will come into effect on 1 January 2023.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019d expect, it\u2019s full of opaque and complicated rules; some new, many old.<\/p>\n

Crowd favourites such as the 6.8kg minimum bike weight<\/a> and maximum sock height<\/a> rules are unchanged.<\/p>\n

But some of the new rules and updates are likely to have material effects on bikes and equipment designed for use in UCI-sanctioned events, such as those races on the WorldTour<\/a> calendar.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at six key updates to the regulations. From minimum handlebar width and updated aero regulations, to TT tech and helmet dimensions, here\u2019s what\u2019s new for 2023 \u2013 and how it might be set to change bike tech.<\/p>\n

Super-narrow handlebars are banned on the road<\/h2>\n
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Super-narrow handlebars have been banned for road and time trial use.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After a few ambitious riders had begun experimenting with extremely narrow handlebars<\/a> in recent years, the UCI has stepped in to put a stop to the fun \u2013 or bring in some much needed safety limits (depending on your perspective).<\/p>\n

While there was previously only a maximum permitted overall handlebar width (which still stands at 500mm for road, track and time trial bikes<\/a>), a minimum overall handlebar width of 350mm has now been implemented for certain events as well.<\/p>\n

In both instances, this is measured outside to outside, meaning at the outside edge of the outermost point of each side of the handlebar.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the rule now states: \u201cThe minimum overall width (outside \u2013 outside) of traditional handlebars (road events) and base bars (road and track events) is limited to 350 mm.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Handlebars must now measure a minimum of 350mm wide, outside to outside.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Reading between the lines, this suggests there\u2019s no minimum width for \u201ctraditional handlebars\u201d (UCI speak for \u201cdrop handlebars\u201d) in non time-trial events on the track (for example, the points race).<\/p>\n

This would make sense because elite track riders have been using narrower handlebars than this for many years without major difficulties.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s on the road that the use of increasingly narrow handlebars has brought the issue to the UCI\u2019s attention \u2013 and it\u2019s a topic that has divided opinion.<\/p>\n

Dan Bigham<\/a>, Taco van der Hoorn<\/a> and Jan-Willem van Schip<\/a> have been notable advocates among active riders, for example, but former professional Adam Blythe<\/a> has repeatedly expressed concerns about their safety for bunch racing.<\/p>\n

Van der Hoorn\u2019s bike at the Tour de France, for example, measured just 30cm across between the hoods, though this was with the brake levers aggressively angled in, rather than as the sole result of a narrow handlebar.<\/p>\n

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Taco van der Hoorn uses a 38cm-wide handlebar with the brake levers twisted in \u2013 this setup will still be legal under the new regulations.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Road handlebars can still have an element of flare \u2013 a trend we saw at the Tour de France<\/a>, enabling riders to achieve a narrow body position when riding on the hoods, while retaining additional leverage and control from the drops.<\/p>\n

An increasing number of brands \u2013 including Trek on the new Madone<\/a> \u2013 now offer a performance-focused road handlebar with flared drops, when previously the design was mostly confined to gravel handlebars.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, it will still be possible to have a handlebar that measures 350mm-wide at the drops, but also includes a narrower position at the brake hoods.<\/p>\n

AeroCoach (a performance consultancy and manufacturer of specialist cycling kit owned by Dr Xaiver Disley<\/a>), has recently announced its new \u201cfully UCI legal\u201d Ornix road handlebar, for example, which measures 375mm wide at the drops (centre to centre) but just 325mm wide (again, centre to centre) at the point where the brake levers attach.<\/p>\n

Why the limit has been set at 350mm for road handlebars<\/a> and time trial\/track base bars isn\u2019t clear. Our best guess would be that the UCI wishes to draw a line in the sand and has simply picked an arbitrary figure.<\/p>\n