Seemingly out of nowhere, last week the UCI announced that as of January 1 2026, there will be a new set of equipment regulations. The most eye-grabbing change that is coming into effect regards handlebars in road racing, specifically the minimum width permitted.
Under existing rules, a handlebar has to be is 350 mm (outside-to-outside), measured at the widest portion of the drops. There is also a separate rule that allows shifters to be angled inwards at an angle no greater than 10º from the plane of the drops.
These rules have led to riders using progressively narrower and narrower handlebar configurations in an attempt to reduce their frontal area, reducing their aerodynamic drag and making them more efficient through the air. Additionally, new bar designs with aggressively flared drops make the 10° lever angle less effective. The new rules attempt to address those concerns.
Abby Mickey
The UCI's communications on the new rules have so far been limited to a brief mention in a press release, which cited increasing peloton speeds and "the safety implications of developments in equipment" as the reasons behind these changes. However, the decision has come under intense criticism, as the new rules do not take into account differences in physical anatomy, and could disadvantage smaller riders disproportionately. Critics are calling for a rule similar to that in time trials that allows for differences in setup to accommodate taller riders.
What is changing and how does it affect rider position?
There are two crucial measurements that the rules are set to affect. First, the rule changes the minimum width that the bars can have at their widest point, typically at the end of the drops. Based on the new regulations, the widest part of the bars has to be at least 400 mm (outside-to-outside), which is 50 mm wider than the existing rule.
Many brands measure handlebars centre-to-centre so, as a general rule, a 380 mm bar (centre-to-centre) would comply. Although smaller riders are most affected by this change to minimum permissible width, this isn’t too restrictive, especially considering that many modern cockpits feature a flared drop section. This means that a 400 mm bar at the drops could measure around 360 mm (centre to centre) at the bend (aka hooks), the point where the shifters mount.
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