Crashes, what can be done?

[CyclistAbi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012351598786138133

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2012351598786138133


It's happening guys, we made it through.

 

[RedheadDane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012351598786138133

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2012351598786138133


It's happening guys, we made it through.

Let's first see if it actually  works.
Including not randomly activating just because riders go over a speedbump.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Many owe CyclistAbi an apology, first Gee gets away with it now this.

 

[AmRacer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012351598786138133

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2012351598786138133


It's happening guys, we made it through.

A friendly pat at the back, and it's activated.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Many owe CyclistAbi an apology, first Gee gets away with it now this.

Except it’s none of the products they’ve shared and actually what others have brought up should be done that was ridiculed by one.

 

[SHAD0W93]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012351598786138133

View: https://x.com/lucasaganronald/status/2012351598786138133


It's happening guys, we made it through.

Like what was said before that it’s better to do it in the jersey material instead of an outer product but someone didn’t like that idea and thought it was dumb.


But at least progress in the right direction!

 

[Sandisfan]

Will it be used for amazing aerodynamics for the ITT. LOL Would Rem co. lose his advantage . I know it's CyclistAbi's dream but could be shenanigans too.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I really hope we'll get to something like this in France this season:

 

[Oldman]

Let's first see if it actually  works.
Including not randomly activating just because riders go over a speedbump.

Hardly new or unproven. Every back country skier either has one...or should. Anyone on an FIS level speed discipline has had them for years and yes, they work.
It does nothing for the shoulder or injuries to the handlebars. If some helmet modifications are made to protect from backwards crash momentum it will be a life saver. Not a career saver, though. Cyclists hit their ribs, face, hands and almost everything that contributes to navigation. Saving lives is a good thing, though.
Next step: make ranking UCI officials and Race promoters ride Ebikes at race speeds through urban street furniture in a pack with local Cat 4 riders. That might clear up the major issue for pointless injuries.
Then make packs smaller.

 

[RedheadDane]

Anyone on an FIS level speed discipline has had them for years and yes, they work.

Do skiers ever compete wearing only one thin layer of clothing? In temperatures where anything more would make it too hot and cumbersome?

After a crash, how would they be unactivated?

 

[jmdirt]

This airbag for pro cyclists is the safety tech we’ve been waiting for – and a WorldTour team is already using it | BikeRadar

Aerobag in talks with the UCI, with WorldTour teams set to use the tech in 2026

www.bikeradar.com

 

[Oldman]

Do skiers ever compete wearing only one thin layer of clothing? In temperatures where anything more would make it too hot and cumbersome?

After a crash, how would they be unactivated?

Not much layering since their effort going downhill is seldom more than 3 minutes. Wind chill at 60mph is a bigger consideration. That gets below zero quickly.
The bags have valves for deflation. Back country bags are bigger volume to provide more air space in an avalanche burial. GP moto riders may wear a bag but they are layered in armor that won't flex much.

 

[Oldman]

This airbag for pro cyclists is the safety tech we’ve been waiting for – and a WorldTour team is already using it | BikeRadar

Aerobag in talks with the UCI, with WorldTour teams set to use the tech in 2026

www.bikeradar.com

PS: love the Muir quote. Feel that way almost every day here.

 

[RedheadDane]

Not much layering since their effort going downhill is seldom more than 3 minutes. Wind chill at 60mph is a bigger consideration. That gets below zero quickly.
The bags have valves for deflation. Back country bags are bigger volume to provide more air space in an avalanche burial. GP moto riders may wear a bag but they are layered in armor that won't flex much.

Aah, so... if a skier crashes, that's it? Race over? No need to worry about getting it deflated in less than a few seconds to avoid losing time in GC?

Basically, just because it works for skiing doesn't mean it'll work for cycling.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I'd like to see it work, but it's way harder to implement in cycling than in skiing. In addition to the need to be able to deflate it very quickly that's already been discussed, if it adds weight to the jersey, negatively impacts aerodynamics and/or interferes with the body's ability to deal with excess heat, that would be a big problem in cycling when it isn't in skiing.

You could mitigate some of that by making everyone wear an airbag, because tbh I think that if it was implemented today, wearing one would negatively impact your performances compared to other riders. And as we've seen time and again, if cyclists have to choose between optimising performance and maximising safety, they'll choose the former over and over. The problem is that I doubt the technology is even close to ready for a sport-wide rollout.

 

[AmRacer]

Aah, so... if a skier crashes, that's it? Race over? No need to worry about getting it deflated in less than a few seconds to avoid losing time in GC?

Basically, just because it works for skiing doesn't mean it'll work for cycling.

If a road race rider crash without airbag, GC can be over anyway. But with Airbag, the rider can start training again the next day.

 

[RedheadDane]

If a road race rider crash without airbag, GC can be over anyway. But with Airbag, the rider can start training again the next day.

 Can. However, with airbags, we could very well end up with a situation where even minor crashes always result in the GC being over.

 

[AmRacer]

 Can. However, with airbags, we could very well end up with a situation where even minor crashes always result in the GC being over.

Maybe the riders feel more secure with the airbag, and take more risks.

 

[Oldman]

Aah, so... if a skier crashes, that's it? Race over? No need to worry about getting it deflated in less than a few seconds to avoid losing time in GC?

Basically, just because it works for skiing doesn't mean it'll work for cycling.

I see your point about continuing racing. This is practical of certain impacts, only. It does seem relatively simple to have a release valve that could be activated by the rider. We have wireless technology inflating/deflating tires while racing so that's solvable.
The comments by Devil's Elbow are more relevant to the technology needed for cycling. Temperature control would be the biggest challenge. Aerodynamics should be achievable but protecting the back and chest don't address 99% of the damage area a cyclist exposes. While it would make sense for downhill MTB racing along with body armor those measures aren't practical to competitive endurance cycling.

Here's a repeat of opinion I previously voiced: Get rid of road furniture and course sections that vary wildly in width at crucial race points. Then, limit pack sizes. As more riders are becoming better trained; more think they need to be in every tactical point and create problems for each other.
Paris Roubaix continues to exist and attracts riders with skills for the terrain. Even the rabid fans have been largely kept from affecting the race (riders will have their own stories..). The race creates selections and riders respect their own lives in that environment. Injuries occur but the skill level of contestants seems to be better.

We have young riders pushed up through the ranks based on performance metrics; often absent significant race experience. It's like starting races with super strong amateurs when a Simon Yates, for example; has dedicated years of training to achieve his place in the field forced to fight for the smallest gap. Mosh pit fields are not helping.