{"id":67153,"date":"2024-07-24T17:07:44","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T15:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aa4cb178-550a-4d20-a59b-c3f9c1c7ec58"},"modified":"2024-07-24T17:25:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T15:25:30","slug":"revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Revealed | The staggering cost of track bikes and equipment for the 2024 Paris Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCI spreadsheet shows the most expensive bikes used by the top cycling nations <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 24 July 2024 at 15:07 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The 2024 Paris Olympics is just around the corner and we\u2019ve got our hands on the UCI\u2019s Final Equipment List \u2013 a spreadsheet that records all of the bikes, wheels, handlebars, helmets and skinsuits approved for use at the Games.<\/p>

Listing nearly 800 items of equipment, it also includes the prices and manufacturer contact details for all items still ‘commercialised’ (still manufactured and listed for sale).<\/p>

From Team GB\u2019s \u20ac64,350 UKSI-BC1 frameset and \u20ac\u200b\u200b29,188 Hope HB.T Paris<\/a>, through to Australia\u2019s \u20ac55,091 Factor Track Bike and Italy\u2019s \u20ac28,750 Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D, the spreadsheet reveals the astonishing prices of equipment used by the sport\u2019s leading nations.<\/p>

By far the most expensive item on the list, however, is Japan\u2019s V-IZU TCM2 frameset, priced at a staggering \u20ac126,555.<\/p>

If you thought bike prices at your local bike shop were out of control, think again.<\/p>

Let\u2019s take a look at some of the highlights from the list and analyse why prices for Olympic equipment appear to be spiralling out of control.<\/p>

Oh, and before we forget \u2013 all of the prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (Value Added Tax), so if you live in the UK and are thinking about an N+1 purchase, don\u2019t forget to add another 20 per cent to the listed prices.<\/p>

The UCI’s Final Equipment List for the 2024 Paris Olympics reveals the sky-high prices of cycling’s most advanced equipment. – PETER PARKS\/AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The most expensive track bikes at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>
V-IZU TCM2 and TC-M1, as used by the Japanese cycling team<\/h4>
**V-IZU TCM2 (complete bike):<\/strong> \u20ac126,555\u00a0<\/li>**
**V-IZU TC-M1 (complete bike):<\/strong> \u20ac112,320<\/li><\/ul>**
UK Sports Institute UKSI-BC1, as used by the Great Britain cycling team<\/h4>
**UKSI-BC1 (frame, seatpost and Lotus A1000M fork):<\/strong> \u20ac64,350<\/li><\/ul>**
Factor Pursuit Bike, as used by the Australian cycling team<\/h4>
Factor Pursuit Bike (frame, fork, base bar, seatpost, front and rear wheels, and small parts):<\/strong> \u20ac55,091<\/li><\/ul>
Pardus Time10 and CT2020, as used by the Chinese cycling team<\/h4>
**Pardus Time10 (frame, fork and seatpost)<\/strong>: \u20ac45,010<\/li>**
Pardus CT2020 (frame, fork and seatpost):<\/strong> \u20ac36,500<\/li><\/ul>
Hope HB.T Paris, as used by the Great Britain cycling team<\/h4>
Hope HB.T Paris (frame, fork, seatpost, stem and handlebar):<\/strong> \u20ac29,188<\/li><\/ul>
Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D, as used by the Italian cycling team<\/h4>
Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D (frame, fork, seatpost, wheelset and handlebars):<\/strong> \u20ac28,750<\/li><\/ul>
Needless to say, the list of wildly expensive track bikes doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>
When we covered a previous version of this spreadsheet ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics<\/a>, the most expensive bike on the list was the Worx WX-R Vorteq Track, at \u20ac28,000.<\/p>
Now, that bike doesn\u2019t even make the top five (and looks a relative bargain compared to some of this year\u2019s machines).<\/p>
$\"V-IZU$
The V-IZU TCM2 appears heavily inspired by the Hope HB.T, but it blows the Hope bike out of the water in terms of price. – Z-IZU<\/figcaption><\/figure>
If it\u2019s any consolation, splashing out for the most expensive bike on the list \u2013 the \u20ac126,555 (remember, that\u2019s exclusive of VAT) V-IZU TCM2 \u2013 does at least net you a complete bike, with a four-spoke front wheel and full-carbon rear disc.<\/p>
Like the Hope HB.T, the V-IZU TCM2 uses a radically wide fork and seatstays, with the rest of the frameset made up of blade-like aerofoil tubes.<\/p>
$\"V-IZU$
The V-IZU TC-M1 uses a more conventional design, but it doesn’t reduce the cost by much. – V-IZU<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The cheaper (but still extraordinarily expensive) TC-M1 track bike follows a more conventional design, with a narrow fork and dropped seatstays that hug the front and rear wheels more closely.<\/p>
Like the Felt TA FRD<\/a>, both the TCM2 and TC-M1 use flipped drivetrains, with the chainring, chain and rear sprocket all placed on the left-hand side of the bike.<\/p>
The theory is this can be more aerodynamic due to the fact riders always race anticlockwise in track events.<\/p>
The only thing you\u2019ll need to supply to ride off on one, then, is a set of pedals<\/a>, but the same can\u2019t be said for the UKSI-BC1.<\/p>
$\"UKSI-BC1$
The UKSI-BC1 frameset looks almost identical to the Hope HB.T Paris, but costs almost twice as much. – UKSI<\/figcaption><\/figure>
From the limited information available, the UKSI-BC1 appears to be a 3D-printed version of the Hope HB.T Paris (which is constructed using carbon fibre) made in collaboration with Metron Advanced Equipment \u2013 the same company that markets a \u00a3500 3D-printed stem<\/a>.<\/p>
Seeing as you only get a frame, seatpost and Lotus fork for your \u20ac64,350, you\u2019d also need to factor in cash for a drivetrain, wheels, cockpit and so on.<\/p>
Of course, that shouldn\u2019t be too difficult because the UCI\u2019s Final Equipment List is flush with all manner of expensive wheels and parts too (more on these later).<\/p>
Forebodingly, though, the UK Sports website notes: \u201cAny consumer purchases would be excepted from the right to cancel by the consumer once an order for the UKSI-BC1 is placed\u201d. You\u2019d best be sure that\u2019s the bike you really want for Christmas before clicking that buy button.<\/p>
$\"Hope$
The ‘standard’ Hope HB.T Paris frame is made from carbon fibre, keeping costs down compared to 3D printing. – Alex Whitehead\/SWpix.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>
If you can make do with a version handmade in Yorkshire from good-old-fashioned carbon fibre<\/a>, the \u2018standard\u2019 Hope HB.T Paris costs a mere \u20ac29,188 and Hope is even generous enough to throw in an integrated stem and handlebar.<\/p>
Many will also recognise the Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D from Filippo Ganna\u2019s successful Hour Record attempt<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>
3D-printed<\/a> from Scalmalloy (an alloy of scandium, aluminium and magnesium), the Bolide F HR C-3D frame is produced in five parts, which are then bonded together using epoxy resin.<\/p>
$\"Pinarello$
The 3D-printed Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D is modelled on the bike Ganna used to break the UCI Hour Record. – Pinarello<\/figcaption><\/figure>
It also has a bumpy seat tube and seatpost inspired by the tubercles found on the fins of humpback whales. These are aerodynamic features designed to reduce drag.<\/p>
For \u20ac28,750, Pinarello includes a set of Campagnolo Ghibli 0.9 full-carbon disc wheels and a carbon fibre pursuit-style cockpit.<\/p>
As with Great Britain\u2019s bikes, if you can make do with a bog-standard carbon fibre frameset, the Pinarello Bolide F HR C is also available for \u2018only\u2019 \u20ac12,500.<\/p>
$\"Pardus$
The Chinese cycling team will ride the Pardus Time10 track bike, which costs \u20ac45,010 for the frameset and seatpost. – Pardus<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The most expensive components at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>
Pinarello, as used by the Italian cycling team<\/h4>
**MOST custom 3D-printed bar extensions: <\/strong>\u20ac22,500<\/li><\/ul>**
Black Inc, as used by the Australian cycling team<\/h4>
Zero tubular disc wheelset:<\/strong> \u20ac18,420<\/li><\/ul>
Southern Spars, as used by the New Zealand cycling team<\/h4>
Front \/ rear disc wheel:<\/strong> \u20ac11,184<\/li><\/ul>
Vorteq, as used by the Malaysian cycling team<\/h4>
Tokyo Track Edition handlebars:<\/strong> \u20ac11,773<\/li><\/ul>
FES, as used by the German cycling team<\/h4>
SLR16 front \/ SLR18 rear wheel:<\/strong> \u20ac11,634.55<\/li><\/ul>
$\"Pinarello$
Pinarello showcases its MOST custom 3D-printed bar extensions in Filippo Ganna’s personal configuration, although you can presumably have whatever geometry you like (within UCI rules). – Pinarello<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Cockpits and wheels dominate the upper echelons of the components price list.<\/p>
As at the previous Olympics, Pinarello\u2019s MOST custom 3D-printed aero extensions (\u20ac22,500) take the top spot by a decent margin.<\/p>
It\u2019s sobering to consider the extensions alone are by far the most expensive component on Filippo Ganna\u2019s Bolide F time trial bike<\/a>.<\/p>
$\"ADELAIDE,$
The Australian cycling team will be riding Factor’s new track bike, paired with Black Inc Zero disc wheels. – Sarah Reed\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Beyond that, we come to a selection of outrageously expensive track disc wheels.<\/p>
Constructed from carbon fibre, these typically offer low weight, high stiffness and world-class aerodynamic performance.<\/p>
For \u20ac18,420, Factor includes both a front and rear wheel \u2013 and says there are a range of \u201coptions for various hub bodies\u201d, meaning you\u2019ll likely be able to match the wheelset to whatever frameset you choose.<\/p>
$\"HONG$
The New Zealand cycling team uses carbon wheels created by Southern Spars. – Yu Chun Christopher Wong\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
At \u20ac11,773 per wheel, the discs created for the New Zealand cycling team by composites specialist Southern Spars are even more expensive if you plan on getting a complete set.<\/p>
Details on the exact specs of these wheels are scant, but we suspect they\u2019re designed specifically for the Avanti track bikes<\/a> the team uses.<\/p>
$\"Vorteq$
Is this the most expensive drop handlebar available today? – Vorteq<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Vorteq\u2019s Tokyo Track Edition handlebar (\u20ac11,184) is one of the most expensive drop handlebars being used at this year\u2019s Olympics.<\/p>
It features a design focused entirely on aerodynamics and stiffness \u2013 intended to deal with the enormous torsional forces and high speeds experienced in track sprint events.<\/p>
$\"HONG$
The German cycling team uses bikes and equipment manufactured by FES \u2013 the German Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment. – Yu Chun Christopher Wong\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The least expensive track frames, components and kit at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>
Textiles (clothing)<\/h4>
**Boodun sprint gloves:<\/strong> \u20ac5.11<\/li>**
**Bioracer Classic Team Sock Knitted:<\/strong> \u20ac13<\/li>**
**Velotoze short shoe covers \u2013 Road 2.0: <\/strong>\u20ac16.50<\/li><\/ul>**
Components<\/h4>
**Deda Elementi Piega handlebar:<\/strong> \u20ac34<\/li>**
**Nitto B136 Touring handlebar:<\/strong> \u20ac40<\/li>**
Fouriers HB-RA011-A6-M handlebar:<\/strong> \u20ac40.17<\/li><\/ul>
Frames<\/h4>
**Jorbi Omnium Carbon:<\/strong> \u20ac1,381<\/li>**
**Dolan DF4:<\/strong> \u20ac1,683<\/li>**
Argon 18 Electron Pro:<\/strong> \u20ac2,500<\/li><\/ul>
Wheels<\/h4>
**Corima 58mm WS1 track front \/ rear wheel:<\/strong> \u20ac777<\/li>**
**DT Swiss TRC1100 80mm clincher front wheel: <\/strong>\u20ac827<\/li>**
Walker Brothers HI-5 tubular front wheel:<\/strong> \u20ac1,000<\/li><\/ul>
While it\u2019s possible to spend outrageous sums of money piecing together a cutting-edge track setup, it\u2019s certainly not mandatory.<\/p>
The UCI\u2019s spreadsheet also includes a number of comparatively cheap and ordinary frames, components, wheels and cycling kit.<\/p>
$\"Dolan$
Dolan’s DF4 track frameset isn’t as advanced as some, but it costs a fraction of the price of the most expensive bikes available. – Dolan<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Previously, even basic items such as saddles and pedals needed to be approved and added to the spreadsheet.<\/p>
For Paris, though, only frames, forks, seatposts, wheels, handlebars (including drop bars, base bars and aero extensions), clothing (skinsuits, baselayers, gloves, socks and shoe covers) and helmets (plus accessories) needed to be explicitly approved.<\/p>
$\"DT$
Compared to many other wheels set to be used at the Olympics, the DT Swiss TRC1100 80mm clincher front wheel is a relative bargain. – DT Swiss<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Everything else used in competition still needs to adhere to the UCI\u2019s equipment regulations, of course, but it no longer needs to be officially registered and approved unless it\u2019s one of those items.<\/p>
With an ever-expanding selection of frames, wheels, components and items of technical clothing being created, perhaps the UCI wished to simplify its approvals process for the 2024 Games.<\/p>
Why does the UCI Final Equipment List exist?<\/h2>
$\"Great$
Track-bike development has raced ahead in recent years, with prices ballooning as a result. – PETER PARKS\/AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The UCI keeps a list of registered and approved equipment in an attempt to create something of a level playing field.<\/p>
Ensuring everything is commercially available means each nation\/rider can theoretically access the same pool of equipment.<\/p>
The UCI\u2019s registration document states: \u201cFor track races, any equipment used at the Olympic Games must have been commercially available \u2013 in accordance with article 1.3.006 \u2013 at the latest on January 1st of the year of the Olympic Games and may therefore not be in development phase (prototype).\u201d<\/p>
Article 1.3.006 of the UCI\u2019s technical regulations states \u201cthe retail price of the equipment shall be publicly advertised, shall not render the equipment de facto unavailable to the general public and shall not unreasonably exceed the market value for equipment of a similar standard.\u201d<\/p>
It also notes that use of equipment that is not commercially available can result in disqualification and\/or fines ranging from CHF5,000 to 100,000.<\/p>
This is all laudable in theory of course, but considering how much it would cost a nation to kit out a single rider \u2013 let alone a whole team \u2013 with top-of-the-range equipment, we might reasonably question whether it works in practice.<\/p>
$\"GLASGOW,$
The UCI’s regulations are intended to keep a level playing field in terms of technology, but it’s debatable whether it works as intended. – Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Of course, the manufacturers of such equipment would doubtless argue the extensive research and development, ultra-high quality materials used and tiny production runs necessitate such high prices.<\/p>
To an extent, that\u2019s a fair argument.\u00a0<\/p>
To wheel out a well-worn comparison, Olympic track bikes are like the Formula 1 cars of cycling \u2013 the prices are always going to be orders of magnitude higher than the mass-produced bikes seen at races such as the Tour de France<\/a>.<\/p>
But it\u2019s also clear the UCI rules provide manufacturers plenty of wiggle room to spend as much as they wish on R&D and production, and then price things accordingly.<\/p>
If the UCI really wants to \u201cassert the primacy of man over machine\u201d \u2013 the first principle of its technical regulations \u2013 then perhaps it needs to look at things such as cost caps to keep things in check.<\/p>
Otherwise, what might bike prices look like ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UCI spreadsheet shows the most expensive bikes used by the top cycling nations <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":67154,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"11"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics.jpg",2400,1600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/07\/revealed-the-staggering-cost-of-track-bikes-and-equipment-for-the-2024-paris-olympics-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"UCI spreadsheet shows the most expensive bikes used by the top cycling nations","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/67153"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

The most expensive track bikes at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>

The most expensive components at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>

The least expensive track frames, components and kit at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/h2>

Textiles (clothing)<\/h4>Boodun sprint gloves:<\/strong> \u20ac5.11<\/li>Bioracer Classic Team Sock Knitted:<\/strong> \u20ac13<\/li>