US Considers helmet cam ban

[Anonymous]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010...n-on-helmet-cams-and-junior-carbon-use_148051

Idiots. Because of course there have been a multitude of riders with cameras impaled in their heads.

 

[BroDeal]

The rationale for the helmet cam rule is pretty solid. They are afraid of being sued when some dumbass lands on his helmet cam and it punches through the styrofoam.

I wish Farrel showed more enthusiasm--could he have shown less?--for getting rid of carbon wheels in junior events. It hurts the growth of the sport when people think they need a $10K bike to race. Heck, I would be tempted to implement such a rule for cat 4 and 5. The price of Chinese deep section carbon rims is dropping through the floor, though, so this may not be an issue for long.

And singlespeeds should be outlawed or at the very least there should be a law allowing their trendy users to be beaten like mimes.

 

[Anonymous]

most helmet cams ive seen are side mounted or front mounted.. I would have thoguht in cyclocross racing there were far more dangerous

 

[washedup]

I think the UCI should adopt this carbon rim rule. It might also be interesting to consider a higher weight minimum for juniors.

 

[BroDeal]

most helmet cams ive seen are side mounted or front mounted.. I would have thoguht in cyclocross racing there were far more dangerous

It is obvious here that when it comes to safety we are ignoring the giant white elephant in the room in favor of rules that will have a minor effect. I am of coiurse referring to the insidiious danger of course marking tape, which is made twice if not thrice as dangerous in windy conditions. The madness must end.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

But what about all those juniors that already bought carbon wheels? I don't think the parents would be very happy when they find out they wasted $2000 on something that's not even legal. And while they're at it, they might as well put a ban on any carbon equipment

 

[BroDeal]

But what about all those juniors that already bought carbon wheels? I don't think the parents would be very happy when they find out they wasted $2000 on something that's not even legal.

Their parents can give them a lecture about how sometimes in life--not often but sometimes--they have to make it on their own hard work and effort instead of letting their parents purchase it for them.

 

[2beeDammed]

Wouldn't it save more lives to put a National motor cycle helmet law in place ?

 

[Dundee]

Australia has had Junior Wheel restriction in for many years, along with pursuit, ITT handle bar restrictions. Very similar rules to those proposed in the US. it works well. Kids will still turn up on 10K Carbon frames but it does have less of an impact on a well built Alloy bike. Juniors should be able to compete on a more level playing field.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Agree on the carbon wheels, tape and course. When I raced cross some 20+ years ago there was no tape marking the course. They used rope in some sections, and that was it. The barrier of fans, trees and other markers were enough. After someone gets seriously hurt from tape/course, and sues, then they might change it.

This ruling shouldn't stop mounting a camera on handlebars, and hopefully won't.

Definitely agree on carbon wheels for Cat 5's, probably 4's too. Definitely juniors. It could go further than that.

We live in a society of ninnies and spoiled brats.

 

[kev0153]

And singlespeeds should be outlawed or at the very least there should be a law allowing their trendy users to be beaten like mimes.

There is a difference between guys that race singlespeed cross bikes and the hipster douche bags on fixies with ironic facial hair.

 

[usedtobefast]

if you can't wear a nonapproved helmet, then the reasoning was nothing can be
attached to an approved helmet. it came from the risk management guys.(lawyers) no one has been hurt yet, but they figure it could happen.
you can still attach a helmet to your bike. it has not been adopted yet.

 

[flicker]

Agree on the carbon wheels, tape and course. When I raced cross some 20+ years ago there was no tape marking the course. They used rope in some sections, and that was it. The barrier of fans, trees and other markers were enough. After someone gets seriously hurt from tape/course, and sues, then they might change it.

This ruling shouldn't stop mounting a camera on handlebars, and hopefully won't.

Definitely agree on carbon wheels for Cat 5's, probably 4's too. Definitely juniors. It could go further than that.

We live in a society of ninnies and spoiled brats.

I rode this fondu thingie a few weeks ago and some turkeys carbon wheel disinegrated on a descent. That was after the promoters expressedly notified everyone that ultra-light equipment shouldn't be used. Classic.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Wouldn't it save more lives to put a National motor cycle helmet law in place ?

we recently repealed our state law requiring helmets to ride motorcycles while cycling still requires them... but I digress since nobody wants to hear my political rantings.

as for hipsters on their fixed gears we already have laws that ban the dangerous versions of these metrosexual fashion accessories the problem is a lack of enforcement.

 

[Winterfold]

and singlespeeds should be outlawed or at the very least there should be a law allowing their trendy users to be beaten like mimes.

+1000000000

 

[Winterfold]

There is a difference between guys that race singlespeed cross bikes and the hipster douche bags on fixies with ironic facial hair.

Yes there is.

My particular singlespeed annoyance are guys who work in the City on a gazillion a year who go for the fake-enter look

Obviously real messengers who ride singlespeed for practical reasons are fine

 

[Maxiton]

I wish Farrel showed more enthusiasm--could he have shown less?--for getting rid of carbon wheels in junior events. It hurts the growth of the sport when people think they need a $10K bike to race. Heck, I would be tempted to implement such a rule for cat 4 and 5.

Yeah, his attitude was like, this is stupid but under the rules we have to consider it. I thought the image of a 10 year old on a $20000 bike was an effective one. Only a real tool would buy a kid a $20000 bike to race on., yet we know such tools exist. Too bad certain parents can't be outlawed.

And singlespeeds should be outlawed or at the very least there should be a law allowing their trendy users to be beaten like mimes.

You do a disservice to mimes, sir.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

Their parents can give them a lecture about how sometimes in life--not often but sometimes--they have to make it on their own hard work and effort instead of letting their parents purchase it for them.

Regardless of who bought the wheels, I would be extremely upset if I were told that I spent 2 grand for absolutely no reason.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

Yeah, his attitude was like, this is a stupid but under the rules we have to consider it. I thought the image of a 10 year old on a $20000 bike was an effective one. Only a real tool would do that to a kid, yet we know such tools exist. Too bad certain parents can't be outlawed.



You do a disservice to mimes, sir.

But you have to understand that "juniors" is a very broad category from 10-18 year-olds. There are many 18 year-old cat 2s that this rule really applies to. I agree that parents should not be buying their 10 year olds Pinerello Dogmas with zipp 808s, but many sponsored 17-18s have earned the right to have to have carbon wheels.

 

[Maxiton]

Regardless of who bought the wheels, I would be extremely upset if I were told that I spent 2 grand for absolutely no reason.

Well, in that case I'll tell you right now: anybody who buys a $2000 wheelset out of his own pocket is doing it for absolutely no reason, other than vanity and/or a savings of seconds that probably won't effect his result anyway.

 

[Maxiton]

But you have to understand that "juniors" is a very broad category from 10-18 year-olds. There are many 18 year-old cat 2s that this rule really applies to. I agree that parents should not be buying their 10 year olds Pinerello Dogmas with zipp 808s, but many sponsored 17-18s have earned the right to have to have carbon wheels.

I decided to check out your blog before responding. I can see how you might have a dog in this fight. I don't begrudge any sponsored rider anything his sponsor wants to pay for. Still, I do question the necessity for such expensive, high tech gear in the junior and amateur ranks. I'm glad we agree about the ten year olds.

But I can see I've gotten off topic: helmet cams. It makes sense to ban them from helmets. Especially since they can still be bike mounted.

 

[2beeDammed]

I would have thought that helmet mounted lights, the kind you use in 24 hour events would pose more of a problem as i imagine there would be a lot more out there compared to those with cameras ? I was thinking about the danger of the helmet mounted lights and how awkward it would be to land on the light a few weeks ago and actually crashed. Lucky for me my helmet hit side on and the light was mounted on top.Would have been a different story if I had the dual lights I see at races that mount on both sides of the helmet. There probably would be quite a market out there for someone to design an integrated helmet/light that met design standards.

 

[sublimit]

And singlespeeds should be outlawed or at the very least there should be a law allowing their trendy users to be beaten like mimes.

I agree. Single speed riders annoy me more than triathletes. Whats wrong with soft pedaling and changing gear occasionally when riding to work? They always seem frantically spinning and going about 15 mph..

I wouldnt have them beaten but maybe electric shock treatment to the brain or something.

 

[fatandfast]

That Tunebug helmet speaker device at the bike show will be banned before it even gets going

 

[markrosen]

I may seem old school, but after 39 years of racing I still do not a own carbon wheel set (ride a carbon frame though)...I just simply have a peace of mind knowing that my wheels will not fail on me.