There was an article on VeloNews.com recently about new rules imposed by the UCI with regards to lawyer tabs on forks, sock length, CamelBak placement, and several other areas. The backlash from readers was immediate, with many thinking it was an early April Fool’s prank and others irritated by the absurdity of the regulations. I don’t disagree that the UCI is wasting time regulating silly things when they could be serving a much better purpose [insert section in which I climb on the soapbox about women’s racing], but it’s the other readers’ comments that are worth reading:
On the requirement for lawyer tabs on forks…
“It’s about time the UCI addressed this issue, look at how many times we see front wheels flying down mountains unattached from their bikes because the professional mechanics are inept at tightening a skewer.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, the UCI knows what they’re doing. It’s been a long time since QR technology advanced. I for one am eagerly anticipating the amazing leaps forward in the QR arena.”
“I am glad the UCI is making a rule with regard to sock length. Makes me feel better when I watch that some riders are not getting an unfair advantage from a longer sock.”
“I agree. Whenever I see a rider with socks higher than the mid point between ankle and calf, all I can think of is how much more power I have to put out just to keep up with him.”
“And I understand the UCI is considering a rule on the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen found in the water in water bottles. A management subcommittee is evaluating what that ratio ought to be, and whether it is to be measured by weight or by count of atoms. In other news, a proposed rule change will regulate the ratio of wheel circumference to wheel diameter; following the recommendation of the Illinois legislature, a value of 3 is proposed.”
“No doubt the UCI’s crackdown on the H:O ratio is due to reports that several teams have hired top scientists to remove the neutrons from the oxygen atom, thereby saving over 260 grams per 20oz water bottle.”
“Also, the UCI and WADA are going to initiate a ban on ‘training’ that some teams have their riders go through. This ‘training’ process apparently gives the rider an unfair advantage by increasing cardio-vascular performance, building muscle, and shaving weight off of the rider. This puts other teams’ riders who don’t have time or don’t feel like training at a huge disadvantage.”