The much needed UCI loller thread

[RedheadDane]

UCI: Handlebars cannot be narrower than 40 CM! Perfectly fair for everyone.

Uhm...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1933797558087782436

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20250615_92988650

 

[carolina]

This rule is ridiculous and the women teams should unite and complain to the UCI to force a change. They are making women ride with an improper bikefit.

If they want to make a rule, just say that the bars can't be narrower then rider's shoulder width. Problem solved.

 

[RedheadDane]

If they want to make a rule, just say that the bars can't be narrower then rider's shoulder width. Problem solved.

Or - if broad shouldered riders like Kruijswijk and Welsford are going to find that unfair - simple word it something like this:
"Handlebars cannot be narrower than 40 CM, or the rider's shoulder width - whichever is narrowest."
So a rider with 45 CM shoulder width can still go down to 40 CM handlebars, while a rider with 30 CM shoulder width can stay with that size handlebars.
(Unless, of course, it's a safety concern, and UCI is worried that too narrow handlebars will limit riders' control. In which case; surely too wide handlebars will also limit riders' control...)

Another guy weighed in:

The UCI is banning handlebars narrower than 40cm - here's why I think it's a bad idea

The new UCI rulings might be well intentioned, but once again women’s cycling seems to have been overlooked

www.cyclingweekly.com