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I have been asked by a friend to restrict his kids bikes for junior cat races. I have the numbers but I just want to confirm something:
Is it good enough to use the stop screws in the mechs or do you have actually remove rings? I have read that to check the gearing they put it in the maximum selectable gear.
Any ideas?
Road Race?
I just used to screw it down on the rear mech to the allowed gear
Yes using the stops is good enough.
They do check at races by measuring out the distance on the floor and then roll the bike backwards in the selected gear (crank at 6 o clock) between the lines to see if the crank turns one full rev. if you get my drift.
So size/height of tyres also play a little part so best check before an event.
I admit I'm not a roadie but I don't understand why they limit gearing. Is it just rules for the sake of rules? Surely if they can push that high gear then they can use it or is logic just too sensible?!
7.93m is the restriction.
For most domestic races, they check the maximum selectable gear and do a rollout test. I know that on the continent they sometimes insist that the correct high gear must be used and won't accept a locked out mech. Shimano sell Junior specific cassettes, usually special order through most bike shops, they're 14-up or 15-up. Vast majority of UK races though will be fine with a locked out mech - National Junior RR Champs might insist on proper gearing though.
In theory at least, Junior gears should be checked by the Commissaire at the start and end of each race although sometimes it's only the podium places who are checked afterwards.
I admit I'm not a roadie but I don't understand why they limit gearing. Is it just rules for the sake of rules? Surely if they can push that high gear then they can use it or is logic just too sensible?!
It's a UCI rule, don't ask! In theory, it's supposed to stop young, still-maturing bodies/limbs from being put under too much strain and it also goes some way to levelling the playing field a little.
Road races yes.
So at this point in their early racing careers adjusted mechs are fine. I asume that only the most anal commissaire would refuse entry at this stage?
To stop 15 years olds pushing 53 x 12 and destroying their developing joints.
IME makes no diff with restricted gears as their heart beats as fast as a humming birds wing and good juniors still batter seniors with a cadence of 130.
pff gears, singlespeed the whole lot problem fixed 😉
I admit I'm not a roadie but I don't understand why they limit gearing. Is it just rules for the sake of rules? Surely if they can push that high gear then they can use it or is logic just too sensible?!
Yes it's basically so Juniors don't ruin their knees pushing massive gears! You can tell who is new to cycling nowadays as they'll be pushing massive gears on the flat while the more experienced riders will be twiddling a gear beside them.
MarkyG82 - Member
Road races yes.So at this point in their early racing careers adjusted mechs are fine. I asume that only the most anal commissaire would refuse entry at this stage?
Taken the kids to race at lots of events and never been a problem. Even at National events I've never known it be an issue