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 ingravelcycling
by Justin_MVF
5 Comments
UCI rules are often bullshit anyways. fuck them.
[deleted]
40cm minimum is ridiculous especially for women.
Being clear,
The rule is 32cm “brake lever to brake lever”—hood to hood? Or like, lever tip to lever tip? I guess the intent here is to reduce flared hoods?
Now, the rule is still silly and not particularly well thought out and I am on board with why everyone is vocal about this. Mid and low spec bikes are often sold as “UCI” legal and as a consequence what we will see is either 40cm bars with no flare or weirdly flared bars on road bikes to meet the drops requirements.
Another impact is the aftermarket, people selling non-uci legal items tend to see significantly less traffic. This drives niche products even deeper and I think will harm a lot of unique products from small sellers.
It sucks, the UCI doesn’t govern us as regular folk, but their rules have sweeping impacts across the industry that result in products that end up on our bikes.
This is why gravel bikes exist, an alternative road bike not bound by the bullshit of roadie rules. I could give a rats ass about what the UCI says and does. I don’t race. I ride.