Can someone help hook me up with the rulebook that says exactly what kind of factors would qualify/disqualify a bike/frame from being allowed to enter a crit & road race. Where can I read that a Softride frame is not legal. What I've understood is that a bike must be 2 meters or less in length, 75cm or less in width, and have two wheels with no tacked on aerodynamic pieces. I'm sure there's more to it. So, I'm looking for the most detailed descriptions that exist.

UCI or USCF (ACA)?

UCI equipment rules start on page 54.

IMO, page 60, Section 1.3.02 c) Configuration, para.1, beginning with line 4 clearly disallows your Softride. However, as asgelle's question implied, quite a few races are not run under UCI rules. Also, race officials often interpret UCI and/or North American rules in surprising ways.

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34033&

Yeah, no ones going to DQ you if you show up for your local cat 5 race on a Softride. They might give you trouble about aero bars and the other racers might give you a hard time for riding a Softride.

I don't know about that. The softride would at a minimum raise a lot of questions for most race officials. Tri bars are definitely not allowed--they pose a danger to others in the event of a crash. A good race official won't even pass a bike during a race inspection that is missing a bar plug on the end of a regular bar, as that too can cause a puncture wound in the event of a fall.

I don't know about that. The softride would at a minimum raise a lot of questions for most race officials. Tri bars are definitely not allowed--they pose a danger to others in the event of a crash. A good race official won't even pass a bike during a race inspection that is missing a bar plug on the end of a regular bar, as that too can cause a puncture wound in the event of a fall.

A good (USCF) official knows:
1J1(d) The handlebar ends shall be solidly plugged and ... Handlebars used for steering with ends, features, or attachments that extend forward or upward or that provide support for other than the the (sic) rider's hands are permitted only in time trial and pursuit events ...

I don't see how knowing and applying this rule extends to banning Sofrides since 1J1(d) has nothing to do with frame design. The applicable rules are 1J1(a) and (b), and as was stated in the first post, the Softride is less than 2 meters long and 75 cm wide and is propelled solely by the rider's legs. So as long as no fairings are added (which has nothing to do with the Softride per se), it's as legal a bike as any out there.

Can someone help hook me up with the rulebook that says exactly what kind of factors would qualify/disqualify a bike/frame from being allowed to enter a crit & road race. Where can I read that a Softride frame is not legal. What I've understood is that a bike must be 2 meters or less in length, 75cm or less in width, and have two wheels with no tacked on aerodynamic pieces. I'm sure there's more to it. So, I'm looking for the most detailed descriptions that exist.

I haven't checked the cited authority, but the Wikipedia article that seems most relevant says that the UCI requires that a bicycle "frame must be built around a main triangle, constructed of tubular elements (that may have non-circular cross-sections) such that the form of each encloses a straight line." "[M]ain triangle" seems to be a problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_bicycle

I haven't checked the cited authority, but the Wikipedia article that seems most relevant says that the UCI requires that a bicycle "frame must be built around a main triangle, constructed of tubular elements (that may have non-circular cross-sections) such that the form of each encloses a straight line." "[M]ain triangle" seems to be a problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_bicycle

Well, as said above, it's only a problem if the race is run under UCI rules. For example, USACycling (old USCF) rules don't require a main triangle. However, there is a trend to move USACycling rules closer to UCI rules, as you can see from this current USACycling rule book excerpt below:

1J1.(e) Bicycles must meet current UCI technical regulations at events that select 17-18, U23 and elite riders for international competition or national teams. As of January 1, 2008, all bicycles used in Federation National Championship (for age 17 and older riders) and NRC races must comply with the current UCI regulations.

Looks like for now and for races other than the ones mentioned in 1J1.(e) above, the Softride is good to go if the race is run under USACycling rules.

the handlebar comment was in connection with aero bars (just pointing out that even the lack of an end plug on regular bars is a danger to illustrate the relative danger--an aero bar in a crash, especially ones that don't connect are really dangerous in mass start riding, to say nothing of an aero position and being away from the brake levers).

what about recumbents. They come in several different flavors, how does the UCI rulebook separate out non-'bents from 'bents?

what about recumbents. They come in several different flavors, how does the UCI rulebook separate out non-'bents from 'bents?

There's simply no way a recumbent of any kind can meet the bicycle configuration requirements spelled out in the UCI equipment rules (link in post 3 above.)

The USACyling rule 1J1.(f) clearly prohibits co-mingling: Bicycles commonly known as recumbent may not be raced in USCF races unless there is a separate race for this category of bicycle, and then may be used only in that category.

The recumbent exclusion rests on the principle of "man over machine." The UCI believes (and I agree) that bicycle sporting events which ignore or even reverse this principle draw very small crowds, generate no money and sometimes look faintly ridiculous—something the UCI obviously wants to prevent. See attached photo of a human-powered vehicle gathering.

what about recumbents. They come in several different flavors, how does the UCI rulebook separate out non-'bents from 'bents?

Plus you would have to race with a full beard, white tube socks and denim jean shorts with a pipe, and nobody wants that.

:D

Plus you would have to race with a full beard, white tube socks and denim jean shorts with a pipe, and nobody wants that.

:D


Don't forget the bright orange flag 10 ft about the bike flapping in the wind.