Ahead of the 2024 season, the UCI has announced plans to crack down on riders’ brake lever positions. Aiming inwards to gain aerodynamics will be much more regulated.
“Placing the levers with an extreme inclination limits the braking capacity of cyclists and constitutes a modification of the product beyond its intended use,” explains the UCI in a statement.
“This type of placement will be restricted in 2024. In 2025, a new regulation will come into force that will require compliance with the installation guidelines established by brake lever manufacturers.”
“Turning the levers inwards is ridiculous, dangerous and stupid,” an anonymous source told Cycling Weekly. “It’s a safety issue, basically. If you turn the levers 90 degrees, like some of these juniors do, you can’t get to the brakes, you can’t change gears.
“Yes, you may have a very nice aerodynamic-looking position when you’re on the hoods, but the rest of the time, you can’t climb safely, you can’t hit the brakes properly.”
“I think this is a perception problem that will extend to the juniors most likely to be influenced,” they said. “I think it’s good that the UCI is cracking down on something that people can do, that is less safe, before a problem arises.”
Source: UCI