Collegiate Rule Changes
11-02-09, 09:53 PM
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Collegiate Rule Changes
Ok, so the proposed rule changes have come out, and I'm not sure how to feel.
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4527
Most of them are pretty boring and standard things that I don't really care about. But then we get down to Rule 7.
The way I'm reading this, you have to use a mass-start legal bike for EVERY collegiate event, including ITT and TTT events.
I think I understand the purpose (lower the costs, don't allow "speed buying" etc); but come on, you can't even use clip-on bars? I guess it's once less thing I have to take with me and work on getting fit on, but it still seems a bit ridiculous to me.
Not to mention my teammate with the P3C, disc rear, and TT helmet isn't going to be happy.
What is everyone's thoughts here?
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4527
Most of them are pretty boring and standard things that I don't really care about. But then we get down to Rule 7.
Rule Change Resolution 7: Aero Equipment
Rule 7J is added to the rule book, bumping the rules following down a letter (Rule 7J will become 7K, 7K will become 7L, etc).
7J. Equipment
7J1. Bicycles
(a) Bicycles used in competition in all Collegiate Road Events must conform
with the current UCI and USAC regulations for mass-start legal bicycles.
(b) No handlebar extensions, including "aero bars," or other forms of bars
offering forearm support shall be allowed.
7J2. Wheels
(a) Wheels used in competition in all Collegiate Road Events must conform
with UCI mass-start legal regulations. The UCI maintains a website with the
information of approved wheels.
7J3. Helmets
(a) Helmets worn at Collegiate Road Events must meet both UCI and USAC regulations
for mass-start legal, and be worn in accordance with USAC rules.
Rule 7J is added to the rule book, bumping the rules following down a letter (Rule 7J will become 7K, 7K will become 7L, etc).
7J. Equipment
7J1. Bicycles
(a) Bicycles used in competition in all Collegiate Road Events must conform
with the current UCI and USAC regulations for mass-start legal bicycles.
(b) No handlebar extensions, including "aero bars," or other forms of bars
offering forearm support shall be allowed.
7J2. Wheels
(a) Wheels used in competition in all Collegiate Road Events must conform
with UCI mass-start legal regulations. The UCI maintains a website with the
information of approved wheels.
7J3. Helmets
(a) Helmets worn at Collegiate Road Events must meet both UCI and USAC regulations
for mass-start legal, and be worn in accordance with USAC rules.
I think I understand the purpose (lower the costs, don't allow "speed buying" etc); but come on, you can't even use clip-on bars? I guess it's once less thing I have to take with me and work on getting fit on, but it still seems a bit ridiculous to me.
Not to mention my teammate with the P3C, disc rear, and TT helmet isn't going to be happy.
What is everyone's thoughts here?
11-02-09, 10:08 PM
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Now that I think of it, banning aero bars will probably actually cause crashes, as people try to ride on the "invisible aero bars".
11-02-09, 10:13 PM
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I think its just saying road races, not TT's. That's how I read it. It could also just be mis-worded and might be changed.
Call up springs and get a clarification and voice your opinion.
Call up springs and get a clarification and voice your opinion.
11-02-09, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ACCC Listserve
This was posted to the ECCC earlier tonight, and its rather drastic, so
you'll probably want to make sure everyone is well aware.
You can read it for yourself, but basically it says:
~Absolutely no handlebar extensions.
~No helmets that aren't mass-start approved
~No Wheels that aren't UCI approved (No discs, no tri spokes, and some
others)
~This is for all categories, including Mens A
*In summary: TT races will use UCI AND USAC Mass Start gear only.
Here is the USAC rules.
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4527
Here is some info that was compiled by ECCC that's current as of last year.
https://collegiatecycling.org/eccc/wi...009-eccc-aero-...
erview.pdf
But think of it this way.less bikes to have to haul around.
you'll probably want to make sure everyone is well aware.
You can read it for yourself, but basically it says:
~Absolutely no handlebar extensions.
~No helmets that aren't mass-start approved
~No Wheels that aren't UCI approved (No discs, no tri spokes, and some
others)
~This is for all categories, including Mens A
*In summary: TT races will use UCI AND USAC Mass Start gear only.
Here is the USAC rules.
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4527
Here is some info that was compiled by ECCC that's current as of last year.
https://collegiatecycling.org/eccc/wi...009-eccc-aero-...
erview.pdf
But think of it this way.less bikes to have to haul around.
It's definitely about ALL races. ECCC did something similar last season (for all but the Men/Women A riders).
And I've already posted to the google group, and we'll be sending team comments to our director as soon as people send them to me.
11-02-09, 10:33 PM
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Wow, I'm not sure how I like this rule. It's going to benefit me as a rider without a TT bike, disc wheel, or trispoke, but I know a few/lots of people and teams who have dropped some serious cash on that stuff and aren't going to get 1/2 the use out of it without collegiate TT's every weekend.
11-02-09, 11:09 PM
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I raced in the ECCC last year and I thought their take on this issue made more sense: no aero equipment except the As. Keeps it fun for most folks, and keeps is realistic for the kids at the top of the sport who are going to be doing the real thing very soon
Last edited by PhillyRoadie; 11-02-09 at 11:10 PM. Reason: I'm an english major but I can't spell
11-03-09, 12:15 AM
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You have got to be kidding me...
Well, that means I don't have to get on my TT bike until like April now, instead of January. Always a bright side...
Well, that means I don't have to get on my TT bike until like April now, instead of January. Always a bright side...
11-03-09, 01:23 AM
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Considering the fact that I just dropped $2k+ on a TT bike to be competitive this year I am going to be very unhappy if this holds up for TTT. My guess is that TTT/ITT in A's will be some sort of exception. If you look at the photos from Nationals almost everyone if not everyone is on aero bars and most of the good squads have dedicated TT rigs. I guess we'll see how it pans out in the next few weeks.
Is ECCC the only conference running E's?
Is ECCC the only conference running E's?
11-03-09, 01:46 AM
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My Crystal ball reveals that next year they will make everyone ride on platform pedals and flat bars with the bars above the saddle.
That way, anyone will be able to enjoy the sport.
That way, anyone will be able to enjoy the sport.
11-03-09, 02:10 AM
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I sent an email to one of the Board of Trustees to try to get clarification of the rule. Also reading through the rules I noticed that the BOT should have made an effort to notify conferences of the proposed rule changes between Sept 1 and 15 to seek feedback. Did any of you get notification of feedback wanted? I know that the WCCC was not contacted through our group and I would like to see if anyone was. If not I am planning on submitting another rule change for clarification and permission for aero bars at the very least in TTT and ITT based upon the lack of feedback being sought. Let me know if you're in support.
11-03-09, 07:53 AM
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I sent an email to one of the Board of Trustees to try to get clarification of the rule. Also reading through the rules I noticed that the BOT should have made an effort to notify conferences of the proposed rule changes between Sept 1 and 15 to seek feedback. Did any of you get notification of feedback wanted? I know that the WCCC was not contacted through our group and I would like to see if anyone was. If not I am planning on submitting another rule change for clarification and permission for aero bars at the very least in TTT and ITT based upon the lack of feedback being sought. Let me know if you're in support.
11-03-09, 07:55 AM
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Considering the fact that I just dropped $2k+ on a TT bike to be competitive this year I am going to be very unhappy if this holds up for TTT. My guess is that TTT/ITT in A's will be some sort of exception. If you look at the photos from Nationals almost everyone if not everyone is on aero bars and most of the good squads have dedicated TT rigs. I guess we'll see how it pans out in the next few weeks.
Is ECCC the only conference running E's?
Is ECCC the only conference running E's?
11-03-09, 08:20 AM
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Can't they make this D2 only rule or something?
11-03-09, 08:21 AM
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I hope you take the time to offer feedback. I know I will.
11-03-09, 08:37 AM
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Bikes need to be UCI mass-start legal!? That's insane. Guess I need to look into getting that anatomical exemption after all. 
11-03-09, 10:02 AM
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Jeffrey Hansen, USAC Collegiate Director, confirmed for me this morning that the rule applies to all events, TTT and ITT included. I would encourage all of you to voice your opinions to him via email and also to the NCCA Board of Trustees who approved the ruling. If you need those email addresses PM me.
11-03-09, 10:13 AM
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Yeah.
Did he mention anything about their apparent ignoring of this particular rule that applies to them?
Did he mention anything about their apparent ignoring of this particular rule that applies to them?
The Board of Trustees will endeavor to publish to each Conference
between September 1 and September 15 all proposals submitted prior to
July 1.
between September 1 and September 15 all proposals submitted prior to
July 1.
11-03-09, 10:44 AM
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11-03-09, 10:57 AM
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I know I'm going to get bashed for this but I actually agree with it at the collegiate level. Our local school(UNR) is on the outskirts of the WCCC(I think) and while we have some great riders it is just too expensive for them to travel to a lot of the races which can be 8 hours away. If you stack a couple kids in a car and then try to bring TT and Road bike there just isn't enough room.
11-03-09, 11:08 AM
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I know I'm going to get bashed for this but I actually agree with it at the collegiate level. Our local school(UNR) is on the outskirts of the WCCC(I think) and while we have some great riders it is just too expensive for them to travel to a lot of the races which can be 8 hours away. If you stack a couple kids in a car and then try to bring TT and Road bike there just isn't enough room.
My problem is with outlawing clip-on bars as well, on an otherwise mass-start legal bike. The expense and space argument just doesn't hold for clip-ons.