whalest0ned

Hey, new here. I just wanted to get clarification on the rules of the velodrome. My friend has an Affinity Lo Pro that he thinks he can race with but it is true that frames with aggressive top tubes like that are illegal on the track?

carleton

It's fine.

Source: I'm a USA Cycling Official

700wheel

The UCI rules on this are here: https://www.uci.ch/mm/Document/News/R...-E_English.pdf
Se page 63 for allowable top tube slope.
(I could not see a geometry chart on the Affinity web site)

carleton

For those not familiar, here is a Lo Pro.

As long as the components are configured safely and legally, then there won't be a problem with your friend using the bike on any track.

This means:
- No lights
- No brakes or brake levers
- Proper pedals
- Proper handlebars. Drop bars or bullhorns. Drop bars are legal in all events. Bullhorns are only legal in certain time trials.
- Handlebar plugs

Legal configurations:



Not legal configuration:

carleton

By the way, your friend may be mixed up about the rules.

This bike is illegal:



But it is illegal not because of the top tube but because it has wheels of two different sizes. The rules state that the wheels should be of equal size. They can be big or small, but have to be the same.

slindell

There is a max slope in the rules but you need to be pretty silly to break it (like the small front wheel) - UCI limit is that the top tube has to fit in a 16cm horizontal box. In practice for most local races in the US most frames are ok if the wheels are the same size and it has 2 triangles.

whalest0ned

Thanks guys!!! Ill be sure to let him know!!!

bitingduck

And no quick releases in mass start races.

Wallonthefloor

So your telling me this is illegal on the track? BS

carleton

That's actually illegal for a different reason. Being that the front wheel is so much lower than the rear and you are sloping downwards, you are constantly rolling downhill. In effect, it's like a perpetual motion machine that accelerates. You can see how this can be really dangerous after just 1 lap. There was a guy in Colombia that died riding one of these. I heard he was going over 100MPH when he lost control and flew out of the velodrome which is now why we have this rule.

Wallonthefloor

It was a joke. That is a kids bike wheel.

misterwaterfall

Joke
______

your head

carleton

Woooooooshhhhh...

taras0000

Clearly. But that's not why we have this rule. Your story is about why we have RAILS at the top of the track. The race must go on!

gtrob

In training sometimes we will go the other way, and throw a bigger wheel on the front, then its like you are climbing all day. Its like doing laps on a 4% grade, in 1 session I climb over 1000m! Then I just put a sock in my mouth to simulate the high altitude, its a lot cheaper than traveling somewhere.

taras0000

That better not be a dirty sock. I'm all for clean sport. Can't be getting your gains from foot pheromones.

Oldan Slo

Must have been at Cali. That track is DANGEROUS because it is open along the sides. They've recently installed protective netting around the perimeter to keep riders in the arena.

carleton

This is how urban legends start...

Velocirapture

taras0000

I really want to see how far/wide this can be propogated.

Racer Ex 

might need shorter crank arms.