from: http://www.uci.ch/english/about/wheels.htm
article 1.3.018: Wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum, including the tyre. For the cyclo-cross bicycle the width of the tyre shall not exceed 35 mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud. For massed start road races only wheel designs granted prior approval by the UCI may be used. In order to be granted approval wheels must have passed a rupture test as prescribed by the UCI in a laboratory approved by the UCI. The test results must show that the rupture characteristics obtained are compatible with those resulting from an impact sustained during normal use of the wheel. The following criteria must be fulfilled: On impact, no element of the wheel may become detached and be expelled outwards. The rupture must not present any shattered or broken off elements, or any sharp or serrated surfaces that could harm the user, other riders and/or spectators. The rupture characteristics must not cause the hub to become separated from the rim in such a way that the wheel becomes detached from the forks. Without prejudice to the tests imposed by the laws, regulations or customs, standard (traditional)wheels are exempted from the rupture test referred to above. A traditional wheel is deemed to be a wheel with at least 16 metal spokes; the spokes may be round, flat or oval, provided that no dimension of their cross sections exceeds 2.4 mm; the section of the rim must not exceed 2.5 cm on each side. Notwithstanding this article, the choice and use of wheels remains subject to articles 1.3.001 a 1.3.003. (Article applicable as from 1 January 2002). ***************** As I understand, this is a "safety" rule: therefore it is not cut and dry how the rule affects non-sanctionned races. Chances are pretty good, that all race organizers are going to have to enfore this rule in order to get their race insurance - novice, unsanctionned or not. Ross Knight who runs the NRC crits sort of confirmed this to me, although he too seemed unsure of how the rule will EXACTLY affect him - sorry Ross and everybody else if I am misquoting. The bike/wheel companies are under obligation to submit their wheels for testing, the UCI is not testing every wheel ever made. In the case of Rolf's, I belive Trek bought them and re-named them Bontrager. This decision comes after viewing the Trek 2002 catalog and comparing the new Bontrager wheels to my Rolf's. Bontragers are approved wheels. So, Rolf's probably won't be tested because they are "old" wheels and therefore they will not be on the list of approved wheels. The new Bontragers did appear to have a shallower rim (not as aero) than the Rolfs. I think the main reason Rolf's are not approved carte-blanche is not so much the number of spokes, but the depth of the rim (i.e. its greater than 2.5 cm - although I have not measured myself) Its possible, that at a race, one could argue that the Rolf's and Bontrager's are arguably similar and therefore, if Bontragers are safe, than Rolf's should be too. But, this is probably going to be a major hassle, and certainly not one that I want to get into. Kevin Nelson ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
