Section 2: Equipment
2.1 Road Bicycle Specifications
- Minimum weight: 6.8 kg (15.0 lb) complete with all accessories. Applies to all road disciplines. Enforced by pre-race and post-race weighing by commissaires.
- Frame geometry: Must conform to the UCI double-triangle design. The frame must be built around a main triangle (top tube, seat tube, down tube) and rear triangle. Maximum frame width of 8 cm at any point. Seat tube angle between 68 and 82 degrees.
- Saddle position: The tip of the saddle must be at least 5 cm behind the bottom bracket vertical. Saddle must be roughly horizontal (nose may be inclined between 0 and 9 degrees downward).
- Wheel specifications (road race): Maximum rim depth of 80 mm. Spoked wheels required for mass-start road races. Wheel diameter between 55 cm and 70 cm including tyre.
- Wheel specifications (time trial): Disc wheel permitted on the rear only. Tri-spoke or deep-section front wheel permitted. Full disc front wheel prohibited for safety (crosswind instability).
- Handlebar extensions: Aero bars (clip-on time trial extensions) are prohibited in mass-start road races. Permitted only in individual and team time trials. Extensions must not project beyond the front axle.
- UCI Type Approval: All frames and forks used in UCI-sanctioned events must hold current UCI Type Approval certification. Frames are tested for safety, dimensions, and compliance with the equipment regulations.
2.2 Track Bicycle Specifications
- Drivetrain: Fixed gear mandatory — no freewheel mechanism. No brakes permitted. Gear ratio is unrestricted for elite competition.
- Minimum weight: 6.8 kg (15.0 lb), same as road.
- Wheels: Disc rear wheel permitted in all track events. Front disc wheel permitted only in individual and team pursuit, team sprint, and 1 km/500 m time trial. Tri-spoke or five-spoke front wheels permitted in sprint and keirin.
- Handlebars: Drop bars mandatory for sprint, keirin, madison, omnium scratch/elimination/points races. Pursuit bars (with extensions) permitted in individual pursuit, team pursuit, and flying lap events.
2.3 BMX Bicycle Specifications
- BMX Racing: 20-inch wheels, single-speed drivetrain. No minimum weight restriction. Maximum crank length of 180 mm. Handlebar width unrestricted. Rear brake only (front brake optional but rarely used).
- BMX Freestyle: 20-inch wheels. Pegs permitted on front and rear axles. Gyro (detangler) braking system common to allow 360-degree handlebar rotation. Frame geometry optimised for aerial tricks rather than straight-line speed.
2.4 Mountain Bike Specifications
- Wheel size: 29-inch (700c) is standard for XCO. 27.5-inch permitted. Wheel diameter must be between 55 cm and 74 cm including tyre.
- Suspension: Front suspension fork standard. Full suspension (front and rear) permitted and increasingly common. No minimum or maximum travel restriction for XCO.
- Dropper seatpost: Permitted in all MTB disciplines.
- Minimum weight: No minimum weight restriction for mountain bikes, unlike road and track.
2.5 Helmets and Apparel
- Helmet: Mandatory in all UCI-sanctioned events across every discipline. Must carry a valid safety certification (EN 1078, CPSC, or equivalent).
- Road/Track helmets: Aero helmets with rear extension permitted. Visor helmets permitted in time trials. Traditional vented helmets required for mass-start road events in some race categories.
- BMX Racing: Full-face helmet mandatory. Must meet DH/BMX safety certification.
- Sock height regulation: Socks must not extend above the mid-point between the ankle and the knee. This rule was introduced to prevent aero-optimised leg coverings being disguised as socks.
- Skinsuit: Must not modify the natural silhouette of the rider. No protruding or surface-roughening elements. National or trade team colours required.