So the UCI recently announced a new rule that sets a minimum handlebar width for riders.
On the surface it might not seem like a big deal, but in practice it forces a lot of riders, especially women and smaller athletes, onto bars that are too wide for their body. This isn’t about marginal gains, it’s about basic biomechanics and comfort.
And like most UCI rules, it won’t just stay at the pro level. Once the industry starts designing around these restrictions, everyone gets dragged along including recreational riders who will never pin a number on.
We (MyVeloFit — an online bike fit company) started a petition to push back. It’s already at 6,000+ signatures, but we’re aiming for 10k to really make some noise.
https://www.change.org/p/appeal-the-uci-s-new-handlebar-width-regulations
Would appreciate any support — signing, sharing, or just helping keep the convo going.
TL;DR:UCI made a rule that says handlebars can’t be too narrow.
Science, fit data, and smaller riders: “wait what?”Industry: “cool, guess we’ll stop making bars that actually fit smaller people.”
We started a petition. Help us hit 10k. Cheers.
UCI’s handlebar width rule makes bikes worse for all riders. We started a petition.
byu/Justin_MVF inbicycling
by Justin_MVF
1 Comment
Thanks for your work on this.
I’m hopeful this rule will be overturned before the start of next year. Apparently Adam Hansen (president of the CPA) was one of the ones pushing for this rule, but it was based on a misunderstanding of how the rule will be applied, thinking that the 320mm number is measured center-to-center instead of between the closest points of the brake hoods. [He has already issued an apology](https://escapecollective.com/riders-union-president-hansen-admits-handlebar-rule-error/) and seems opposed to the rule for now, but the UCI will only meet again in September so we shouldn’t expect changes before then.
The one thing that he apparently still thinks should stay is the 400mm minimum, measured out-out at the drops. In your professional opinion, should that be reverted as well? From my point of view as a decidedly not-professional not-bike fitter, I feel like having a wider minimum width mandated for the drops seems reasonable if the bars are allowed to be flared enough to achieve your optimal width at the hoods.