UCI possible banning of big gears

[Valbrona]

Regardless of the logic, or absence of it, the UCI's 'test ban' on big gears at the Tour of Guanxi will, I believe, hit SRAM equipped teams with their 10t sprockets. Shimano, Campag teams will remain unaffected on account of their 11t systems.

I'd be pretty miffed if I was a rider on SRAM kit. The teams either fit the equipment offered by one of SRAMs rivals, or pull out of the race - which I don't believe they are allowed to do. Maybe switching to smaller chainrings would do it?

What a UCI-created pickle?

[djnotts]

Think I read that SRAM pursuing legal action against UCI.

[Cyclothesist]

Why isn't this thread under the "Racing, Olympics, TdF and Competitive Cycling" category? What the UCI decides on gears for racing really doesn't matter to the commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists.
Heck I've fitted 35c tyres to my CX bike. Schwalbe even had the audacity to name them 'CX" . The UCI don't appear to have noticed .

[mattheus]

Why isn't this thread under the "Racing, Olympics, TdF and Competitive Cycling" category? What the UCI decides on gears for racing really doesn't matter to the commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists.
Heck I've fitted 35c tyres to my CX bike. Schwalbe even had the audacity to name them 'CX" . The UCI don't appear to have noticed .

Yes (on both counts!)

p.s. you might find your tyres fit through the 33mm gauge, despite the labelling ... ;-)

[Vorpal]

Why isn't this thread under the "Racing, Olympics, TdF and Competitive Cycling" category? What the UCI decides on gears for racing really doesn't matter to the commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists.
Heck I've fitted 35c tyres to my CX bike. Schwalbe even had the audacity to name them 'CX" . The UCI don't appear to have noticed .

Now moved

[Valbrona]

Why isn't this thread under the "Racing, Olympics, TdF and Competitive Cycling" category? What the UCI decides on gears for racing really doesn't matter to the commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists.
Heck I've fitted 35c tyres to my CX bike. Schwalbe even had the audacity to name them 'CX" . The UCI don't appear to have noticed .

Yes (on both counts!)

p.s. you might find your tyres fit through the 33mm gauge, despite the labelling ... ;-)

I have never noticed the 'Technical Section' of this forum being expressly for "commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists", as you indicate.

UCI rules actually filter down to national federations (because they tend to follow suit) so the possible elimination of SRAM racing set ups has wider implications.

My thread most definitely belonged in the 'Technical Section' because of how it related more to the challenges in getting low enough gearing that it did UCI regulations.

So, my question remains ... who would you go about reducing gear sizes with SRAM 10t set-ups?

[rareposter]

So, my question remains ... who would you go about reducing gear sizes with SRAM 10t set-ups?

Smaller chainrings. SRAM already sell both a 35/48 and a 33/46 chainset (for mere mortals) specifically designed for use with the 10-33 or 10-36 cassettes.

Problem is that pros have been going to bigger gears for a while now, mostly because aerodynamics is much better understood and everything is aero-optimised so speeds are higher = gears need to be higher.

So those on a Shimano groupset are routinely using 40/54 or 42/56 chainrings, those riders on SRAM are using 37/50...

It's another rather poorly thought through rule, much like the restriction on bar width which disproportionately affects women riders.

Same way that the longstanding weight limit of 6.8kg (15lb) is just a blanket setup, not based on rider physique or weight. Daft that a hulking powerhouse like Matthieu van der Poel and a tiny rider like Pauline Ferrand-Prevot are both subject to the same weight limit bike.

[mattheus]

UCI rules actually filter down to national federations (because they tend to follow suit) so the possible elimination of SRAM racing set ups has wider implications.

My thread most definitely belonged in the 'Technical Section' because of how it related more to the challenges in getting low enough gearing that it did UCI regulations.

So, my question remains ... who would you go about reducing gear sizes with SRAM 10t set-ups?

Until it trickles down to leisure/commuter riders, it will make no difference to 99.5% of CUK forumites.

As a racing spectator, it's also of zero interest to me - as you asked. You may find it interesting, that's fine!
I'll add that UCI are under massive pressure from riders AND spectators to improve safety, so it's a little harsh to moan when they do something that was actually promoted by some of the current pros.

[Cyclothesist]

Why isn't this thread under the "Racing, Olympics, TdF and Competitive Cycling" category? What the UCI decides on gears for racing really doesn't matter to the commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists.
Heck I've fitted 35c tyres to my CX bike. Schwalbe even had the audacity to name them 'CX" . The UCI don't appear to have noticed .

Yes (on both counts!)

p.s. you might find your tyres fit through the 33mm gauge, despite the labelling ... ;-)

I have never noticed the 'Technical Section' of this forum being expressly for "commuter, pleasure, lifestyle and leisure cyclists", as you indicate.

UCI rules actually filter down to national federations (because they tend to follow suit) so the possible elimination of SRAM racing set ups has wider implications.

My thread most definitely belonged in the 'Technical Section' because of how it related more to the challenges in getting low enough gearing that it did UCI regulations.

So, my question remains ... who would you go about reducing gear sizes with SRAM 10t set-ups?

It's not. But a moan about the UCI considering rules that limit gearing allowed in UCI governed racing and applying nowhere else belongs in a racing section.

[Cyclothesist]

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/belgian- ... uling-sram

There you go Valbrona, BCA to the rescue!