Originally Posted by
tetonrider
Yeah--I use 32-33c tires (make sure they *measure* 33c--it's the measurement that counts, not what is printed on the sidewall; this is rarely an issue for tubulars due to the construction) but rarely do USAC races, much less ones that actually enforce the rule.
IMO there is full-on cheating (rare) and then there is the stuff that is just not cool. The latter is like defining pornography: it can be hard to put in words but you know it when you see it.
Removing a rear brake for a non-USAC hill climb? Sure!
Riding 35c tires in a grassroots CX race because that's what you use on your gravel bike? Cool.
Riding a hardtail MTB in that grassroots CX race because that is all you own and you want to participate. Good.
Snow the day before, you're the series leader in the A race (non-USAC), and you show up with 4-5" wide tires that float vs everyone else on ~33c tires? Not so much.
There actually is a meaningful difference in racing 34s or 35s vs 32/33s, let alone 38-40s or larger, esp with rougher courses.
I understand all that, as does Daniel. Few things compare to requiring one group of riders to ride different gears than the other in the same race. Adults didn't block their gears to match the juniors restrictions. That set a switch in my mind that fairness and USAC are unrelated.
Personally - I like my kid having a USAC legal bike from Strava to real racing. UCI legal is way more complex and varies by who is the judge. that is why there are 2 hour waits the night before a TT with judges checking bikes. A UCI judge on the count down decided that electrical tape holding the Garmin on was not allowed - ~30sec cost we figure. OK - them's the rules, although I think he was wrong, but hard to protest at 4-3-2... It is pretty clear to me at some level - do the rules and forget what is cool or not. I don't think any rider exploiting the rules is un-cool. I think the rule makers and enforcers are uncool not doing their jobs.