The UCI has been on a bit of a technological mission lately. Four years after revising its longstanding frame design rules, a batch of new and divergent road bikes has been rolling out of the factories to take advantage of those changes: new shapes, new depths, new aero gains. But simultaneously, the sport's governing body has pushed forward with a suite of measures that are, ostensibly, going to make cycling safer.
The only problem is that these changes don’t affect all riders equally, and might even make matters worse. As Escape Collective exclusively reported late last year, the UCI had been mulling limits to handlebar width, rim depth and gear sizes, prompting some concern among WorldTour coaches and riders.
After a meeting of the UCI Management Committee in Arzon, France, this week, some clarity arrived. Buried down the bottom of a 3,100 word press release largely dealing with the 2026 calendars and future of OneCycling came the announcement of a swathe of equipment changes, which in typical UCI fashion, will make for an abrupt and confusing scramble ahead.
What's new?
There's more after the jump, but you'll have to be a member to read it. Escape Collective is 100% membership-funded, with no advertising and no affiliate links in our product reviews. Our work is only possible through your support.
Need another reason to join? Our Member Purchase program offers discounts of 20% or more from participating brands like Velocio, Ritchey, Hunt Wheels and more (we get no revenue from your purchases; this is purely a member benefit).
Did we do a good job with this story?
