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July 07, 2006
Wired on illegal bike tech
Wired News: Banned Tour Technology
Wired takes a look at the state-of-the art with racing bike technology, noting the variety of bikes that are “banned from the race.”
Most notable are recumbents, of course, which were banned by the UCI after they rewrote speed records, but there are also a number of frames that require ballast when they're built up to meet the UCI's minimum weight requirement of 6.8 kilograms.
They also give a shout-out to Softride, whose beam bike is banned for providing an aerodynamic advantage.
Tomorrow's time trial will bring out all the latest in trick aero frames (like BMC's 12,000-euro carbon nanotube frame for Floyd Landis, at right) and rims, faired helmets, shoe covers and anything else riders can get away with to beat the wind for 52 kilometers.
Posted by Frank Steele on July 7, 2006 in Tour Tech | Permalink
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Comments
Since we're talking riders not getting away with stuff... Today's episode of NPR's Science Friday had a bit on the Tour's latest doping scandal. One of the on-air guests was an (unsmart-sounding) WADA-scientist (maybe a former scientis - or someone else entirely - I can't recall). I assume the segment will be available for download soon as a podcast, if it isn't already. This here is just a little something I like to call a heads up.
Posted by: Jarrett at Jul 7, 2006 10:25:14 PM
The TdF is not about the bike, it's the athletes.
Posted by: GChu at Jul 8, 2006 6:04:14 AM
The beam bike should be banned for being stupid. There is no aero advantage when your seat height changes every pedal stroke.
Posted by: DL Byron at Jul 8, 2006 10:51:23 AM
