Road Bike Racing - gearing...17 year old?

I'm 17, and I want to race, but...I remember reading somewhere about gearing regulations for juniors, somthing like 53x14 being the max. I have a 53/39 and a 12-27 cassette. i dont really want a 53x14. so will I get in trouble? what is the deal with that particular regulation?

If you don't want gear restrictions why not just to the normal category races? I've never done a junior race, but done a few cat 5 races with much fun and success.

If you don't want gear restrictions why not just to the normal category races? I've never done a junior race, but done a few cat 5 races with much fun and sucess.

G'day,

Dunno about the 'states', but in Oz we have a number of strict rules regarding junior gearing. You can 'lock off' the derailuer so that it doesn't move into particular gears, rather than have to keep changing cassettes. These are measured in inches that the wheel moves in one complete revolution of the cranks. i'm sure the forum will be able to tell you how to do this (i wouldn't have a clue). In OZ they check the juniors gearing after each race.if you are outside the limit for your age, you will be disqualified & probably fined as well. BFL's point about riding cat 5 instead of juniors is only valid in OZ if there is no junior category at that race......in other words, you won't be allowed to enter any Cat other than junior if you hold a junior licence & there is a junior cat for that day....

cheers,

Hitchy

If you don't want gear restrictions why not just to the normal category races? I've never done a junior race, but done a few cat 5 races with much fun and success.


how old are you? I thought I had to enter juniors...

I'm 17 as well and haven't had any problems entering non junior races. I've certainly never heard of a rule stating juniors must ride as juniors.

I'm 17 as well and haven't had any problems entering non junior races. I've certainly never heard of a rule stating juniors must ride as juniors.

G'day,

maybe the rules are different in the states.....however, in OZ, If you are the holder of a junior licence, you are only permitted to ride in an open category, if there is no junior race for your age group, on at that event. IE: If you are an under 17 rider & there is a race for under 17's on at the event, you will not be permitted to ride any other cat. Theres also restrictions about how LONG the race is allowed to be for juniors....so for example, a junior would only be able to ride in an open cat. if the race wasn't any longer than say 60km.

cheers,

Hitchy

G'day,

maybe the rules are different in the states.....however, in OZ, If you are the holder of a junior licence, you are only permitted to ride in an open category, if there is no junior race for your age group, on at that event. IE: If you are an under 17 rider & there is a race for under 17's on at the event, you will not be permitted to ride any other cat. Theres also restrictions about how LONG the race is allowed to be for juniors....so for example, a junior would only be able to ride in an open cat. if the race wasn't any longer than say 60km.

cheers,

Hitchy

Are you restricted to a junior license, or is there the option of getting a normal "category" license? I would hate being restricted unless I wished to be.

Are you restricted to a junior license, or is there the option of getting a normal "category" license? I would hate being restricted unless I wished to be.

G'day BFL,

I'm pretty sure you are restricted to a junior licence up until under 17's..then you can get an 'elite' licence which entitles you to play with the big boys. I think gear restrictions finish then as well,

cheers,

Hitchy

In the "States" a junior racing in a junior event is restricted 53/39 and a 14 as the smallest cog. If you are caught w/o the proper gears you will be DQ'ed. Juniors are also categorized i.e. CAT V, CAT IV, CAT III and so on. So you may enter a junior event and double up with a categorized race at the same event. The purpose of restricted gearing for juniors is to allow a young rider to develop proper pedaling technique without using brute force to mash the pedals. In a sense we want you to spin your way to success rather mash your way to an injury.


Buddy B

In the "States" a junior racing in a junior event is restricted 53/39 and a 14 as the smallest cog. If you are caught w/o the proper gears you will be DQ'ed. Juniors are also categorized i.e. CAT V, CAT IV, CAT III and so on. So you may enter a junior event and double up with a categorized race at the same event. The purpose of restricted gearing for juniors is to allow a young rider to develop proper pedaling technique without using brute force to mash the pedals. In a sense we want you to spin your way to success rather mash your way to an injury.


Buddy B

Actually the gear restrictions for juniors in the US are 52x14 according to the 2004 USCF rule book. I also think that @ 17 years you have to get a license as a junior but are allowed to race in higher categories if you so choose except the masters.

Dan.

hmm. what about a one-day liscence? can I be a junoir for one race and a cat 5 for another?

I'm 17, and I want to race, but...I remember reading somewhere about gearing regulations for juniors, somthing like 53x14 being the max. I have a 53/39 and a 12-27 cassette. i dont really want a 53x14. so will I get in trouble? what is the deal with that particular regulation?

Hey Phatman,

According to the USCF rule book, the maximum distance that ONE revolution of your pedals (in a Jr race, to be check both before and after the race) is 7.93 meters (or 26 ft). You can accomplish this in 1 of 2 ways. You can lock out your biggest gears (until you reach the max of 26ft) or you can get a cassette that puts you at or below the max distance. The rule is 2.2.024 if you want to read more. There is also a chart that can help you.

If you want to race Jr. Nationals, you will have to have the cassette, blocking of the cassette is not allowed in the National races.

If you want to avoid the whole Jr. Gearing thing, you can race in your category (Cat 5,4,3,2,1).

Hope this helps.

--cyclingute

I'm 17, and I want to race, but...I remember reading somewhere about gearing regulations for juniors, somthing like 53x14 being the max. I have a 53/39 and a 12-27 cassette. i dont really want a 53x14. so will I get in trouble? what is the deal with that particular regulation?

Sorry about the 2nd reply. I missed one of your questions. As for what is the 'deal with that particular regualtion,' it's designed to keep you, since you're growing still, from using too big of gears. The bigger gears force you to use more muscles, potentially causing knee problems. So UCI, USAC, etc want you to learn how to spin, ride at a higher cadence, so that you still use your muscles, but you're not using them in a way that damages your knees.

I hope this helps.

--cyclingute

You don't need a gear bigger than that in a junior race unless you are going downhill.
Learn to love spinning!

im 16 and a junior and a cat 3 (being cat 2 next year! :D :D )...for juniors yea u need certain gears...a 52x14...they roll u out after every race..and what they do is take ur bike and roll it backwards 26 feet...if ur bike rolls past 26 with one pedal stroke...technically ur dq'ed..and when i race cat 3's i just stay on my junior gears so when i go to big junior races..i wont be used to switching gears and mashing them..i can mash on junior gears just as well as a 12-23..best of luck!

P.S. if ur looking to do Jr. nationals u have to be a cat. 3 or lower(as in cat. 2 cat 1 etc.) for 16-18 year olds just because too many juniors entering causing mass fields of riders..so if ur rather just doing in state junior races or regional races...stick to that or just do cat 5 or 4 or whatever cat. u want...*end edit* later!