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Merida Scultura Disc launch 2016 2 - 52.jpgBritish Cycling to allow use of disc brakes in all road and circuit races
British Cycling has said that it will permit the use of disc brakes at all levels of competition on the road and at closed circuits from 1 January 2018.
The governing body says that the move is in line with its goal to get more people cycling both for sport and leisure, and reflects the way the bicycle industry is moving with bikes increasingly coming with disc brakes, which are generally considered safer on descents or in the wet than rim brakes, as standard.
> Everything you need to know about disc brakes
It means that for the first time, cyclists will be able to use disc brakes not only in sportives but also in competitive events such as races on the road or on closed circuits.
British Cycling’s director of cycling, Jonny Clay, said: “We believe we have made the decision with the best interests of domestic cycle sport in this country at heart.
“We know that buying a bike is a significant financial investment for people to make and with the cycling industry producing more and more bikes with disc brakes we felt it was only right that we amended our regulations to ensure that people can take part in any form of cycling, whether recreational or competitive, with one bike.
“We hope that this decision will encourage more and more people to get involved in competitive cycling.”
> Video: Road discs – What will they cut?
World cycling’s governing body, the UCI resumed its trial of the use of disc brakes in the peloton last year, and it will continue into 2018, when Professional Continental outfit Aqua Blue will be the first team to race exclusively on them.
Following claims of riders being injured in crashes by spinning disc rotors – though by no means all are convinced that cuts sustained are due to them – the professional cyclists’ organisation, the CPA, has asked for safety measures to be put in place, including guards.
> Disc brakes in the pro peloton: Riders demand better safety for disc brake rollout
At amateur level, in April 2016 after the UCI suspended its trial the organisers of the Etape du Tour said that disc brakes would not be allowed at that year’s edition of the event in line with French Cycling Federation rules.
Subsequently, however, the UCI clarified that disc brakes are allowed in mass participation events.
> UCI says disc brakes ARE allowed on bikes ridden in mass participation events
Great Britain joins USA Cycling, Cycling Canada and Cycling Australia in changing the rules to allow the use of disc brakes.
John Herety, team manager of the JLT-Condor cycling team, said: “The number of people riding disc brake road bikes is increasing all the time.
“British Cycling’s decision to allow the use of disc brakes in domestic road and closed circuit races in 2018 will help to remove a barrier that is currently preventing some people from getting into competitive racing and this decision will hopefully have a really positive impact on the future growth and sustainability of the sport.”
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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10 comments
having just purchased the final part for my 2018 race bike, I am a little miffed by this announcement.
I am also interested that the decision was made without consulting national council... but thats probably a conversation for another time.
There is no reason to make discs legal for road racing, but at the same time there is no reason not to make them legal for road racing either.
The positives for me are;
- better braking options available
- More inclusive sport - as much as you'd think 'racers' have a veritable stable of bikes in the shed, the truth is, many first try the sport at an early stage in their cycling and do only have one, maybe two bikes. A common route for riders coming in to the sport is from sportives, where they find their competitive nature is not being satisfied. You cna bet your bottom dollar that a lot of these people will have embraced disc technology faily early, so will indeed see the lack of disc inclusion as a barrier.
- less shit braking / mechanics. This is up for debate, but here is my theory. My rim brakes are very good. even with carbon rims andwet weather, they work pretty well. They work well because they are well maintained. A lot of peoples bikes are not well maintained. Far from it. Therefore I believe there are a lot of shit brakes in thepeloton, not because there are a lot of shit mechanics. disc brakes are very much fit and forget and apart from contaminated discs, their performance is all but guaranteed. I am talking about hydraulic discs her eby the way.
- no more race wheel bolloxs! I can go carbon rim, tubless disc and run the same wheels all the time. super happy about that.
Negatives
- I have to spend more money on bikes....
- I have to put up with loads of chatter about sliced limbs
Fine but how is current ban on discs acting as a barrier to those wanting to race? Are there people out there who don't feel confident riding without their disc brakes?! If so I suggest they shouldn't be racing anyway.
Clearly missing the point. I think it's more to do with people buying bikes with disc brakes and not being able to race them that is the issue
I brought a new Skoda last year but the FIA won't let me race it in F1.
BC said they didn't want to force away people from racing because they might only have the one bike and that one bike might only have discs thus forcing them away, sorry but that is total BS. Since when did ANY competition rider only ever have one bike in the last, oh I don't know 25 years, a handful, maybe and that never stopped them riding.
Sure BITD you'd take your sprint wheels with you attached to the front axle but that has not being the case for many decades.
it's pandering to the manufacturers and coming up with a very spurious reason, stretching the imagination to the point it's clearly bollocks to justify the change in the rule. It's not about inclusivity at all which kind of flies in the face of their excluding people from their events if you don't wish to or feel the need to wear a helmet which in itself has now spread like a disease to bike clubs where many won't allow you to ride in the club if not wearing a plastic hat.
As I said, dog wagging the tail yet again and BC are a disgrace to the sport.
No I got it but but question that this is really the case. As per Behind the Bike Sheds who has de-bunked the rationale in his comment.
Tail wagging the dog, BC are a piss weak disgrace to the sport.
OMG its gonna be a bloodbath!!!!
Great news this - i can now race my Canyon Ultimate disc.
Much ado about nothing in the first place.