Speed bars are those bars made by Cane Creek, and maybe others, that have been race legal. They are essentially aero bars in an "L" shape that typically bolt on right near the stem. They are good for breakaway efforts.
Anyway, I've heard they are banned this year? Anyone know the answer? I had heard that the USCF (or whatever it is called now - USA cycling?) was going to adopt UCI rules in 2007, which would have banned them in 2007 but not this year. Thanks.

My understanding is any type of aero bar setup is illegal in a non-time trial road race event. The rules over at usacycling.org should say something similar, albeit, more eloquently.

There was one female in the B category race last weekend I was in, and she had aero bars, and the promoter pulled her. Probably because she was hot and he wanted to talk to her. Very hot my friend. I didn't know her personally, but everyone in the race said she was blazing fast and that they were glad she was not racing!

My understanding is any type of aero bar setup is illegal in a non-time trial road race event. The rules over at usacycling.org should say something similar, albeit, more eloquently.

There was one female in the B category race last weekend I was in, and she had aero bars, and the promoter pulled her. Probably because she was hot and he wanted to talk to her. Very hot my friend. I didn't know her personally, but everyone in the race said she was blazing fast and that they were glad she was not racing!

the speed bars were definitely legal in the last few years - lots of people used them all over New England. I couldn't find anything in the rules - just looked but it's not easy to find stuff in those rules. I'll probably get the lowdown at my first training crit tomorrow.

Speed bars are those bars made by Cane Creek, and maybe others, that have been race legal. They are essentially aero bars in an "L" shape that typically bolt on right near the stem. They are good for breakaway efforts.
Anyway, I've heard they are banned this year? Anyone know the answer? I had heard that the USCF (or whatever it is called now - USA cycling?) was going to adopt UCI rules in 2007, which would have banned them in 2007 but not this year. Thanks.
Are you a pro/cat 1 racing in high level events? Cause if you are not, you don't have to worry about the UCI rules.

Some officials don't read the rulebook. I took mine off one minute before a crit because an ignorant official insisted they were illegal last year and I didn't have time to pull the rulebook out of my car to show him his ignorance.
1J1 (d), 1J1 (e).
However 1J2(a) is so broad any idiot official can make up their own rule.

Speed bars are those bars made by Cane Creek, and maybe others, that have been race legal. They are essentially aero bars in an "L" shape that typically bolt on right near the stem. They are good for breakaway efforts.
Anyway, I've heard they are banned this year? Anyone know the answer? I had heard that the USCF (or whatever it is called now - USA cycling?) was going to adopt UCI rules in 2007, which would have banned them in 2007 but not this year. Thanks.
As far as I can tell the USCF has abandoned the "comply with UCI" in 2007.

These things? They look like they would run into the frame.

TF

1.J.1(d) does not allow for support of anything other than the hands.

My understanding is any type of aero bar setup is illegal in a non-time trial road race event. The rules over at usacycling.org should say something similar, albeit, more eloquently.

There was one female in the B category race last weekend I was in, and she had aero bars, and the promoter pulled her. Probably because she was hot and he wanted to talk to her. Very hot my friend. I didn't know her personally, but everyone in the race said she was blazing fast and that they were glad she was not racing!

Full blown aero bars? Must have been new to racing (since it is no secret that aero bars aren't legal)... so how would anyone know she is fast? Strange story.

As far as I can tell the USCF has abandoned the "comply with UCI" in 2007.

These things? They look like they would run into the frame.

TF

I think part of the reason they are legal, or were, is that they are designed to be grabbed by putting you hands underneath your bar tops. But, if you mount them straight out, with the top perpendicular to the ground, you can also rest your wrists on the tops of the bars and grab them in that fashion. Also, they are made so they do not extend beyond the length of the regular bars. Anyway, I'll check the rule cited above. They do work - many training buddies tell me that when I drop into them when I'm pulling on the front, my speed typically goes up about 1 mph.

To answer the question on the other post, I'm not a Pro/1 so UCI is not a consideration now. If you're right about the non-UCI compliance for 2007, in theory they'll be good for a while.

I think part of the reason they are legal, or were, is that they are designed to be grabbed by putting you hands underneath your bar tops. But, if you mount them straight out, with the top perpendicular to the ground, you can also rest your wrists on the tops of the bars and grab them in that fashion. Also, they are made so they do not extend beyond the length of the regular bars. Anyway, I'll check the rule cited above. They do work - many training buddies tell me that when I drop into them when I'm pulling on the front, my speed typically goes up about 1 mph.

To answer the question on the other post, I'm not a Pro/1 so UCI is not a consideration now. If you're right about the non-UCI compliance for 2007, in theory they'll be good for a while.
If they are mounted so that they go forward in any way, I would say that they would be ruled illegal. - TF

If they are mounted so that they go forward in any way, I would say that they would be ruled illegal. - TF


(d) The handlebar ends shall be solidly plugged and attachments thereto shall be fashioned in such a way as to minimize danger without impairing steering. Handlebars used for steering with ends, features, or attachments that extend forward or upward or that provide support for other than the the rider's hands are permitted only in time trial and pursuit events (not in Team Sprint); however, attachments that point upward on the brakehoods of road bicycles are allowed if the distance between them is greater than 25 cm (9.8 inches). [disqualification]

http://www.usacycling.org/forms/USCF_Rulebook.pdf

I can't believe that you guys in the USA would still even think of using these in a mass start event.

I can't believe that you guys in the USA would still even think of using these in a mass start event.

They are pretty useless, and provide little if nothing as to aerodynamic advantages as oppopsed to riding in the drops. That and when you're in them, it's crazy unstable. That's just been my experiences with them.