Starting this season, cyclists will no longer be able to turn their levers as far inward as possible. The UCI has imposed restrictions on the angles that brake levers can have and also carries out checks. This led to mixed reactions at the Tour Down Under, the first WorldTour race of the year.
Changing the levers has an aerodynamic reason
There’s a reason for this change, as by folding your bike’s levers inward, you can reduce the frontal area and therefore adopt a more aerodynamic position. At the same time, you comply with the UCI rule that you must touch the brake levers when your wrists rest on the handlebars.
However, the UCI considers pedaling with the shifters bent inward to be dangerous and therefore previously announced that it would address extreme cases. The entity has now begun strict control over this.
Robert Gesink agrees with UCI
Robert Gesink understands the UCI’s measures. “I think it’s a good decision overall,” he told British website GCN. “We’ve only seen some pretty extreme adjustments. These things are obviously designed to brake and control your bike. If a particular adjustment leads to less safe situations, action should be taken.”
Inspection still needs to be improved, thinks the Visma-Lease a Bike veteran. “We have already seen the first measurements. I don’t know if this will be the final measurement method, but it still felt a little clunky, with a plastic device that still left a lot of room. But taking a look is definitely a good first step.”
Quinn Simmons: “cyclists do stupid things”
Although Gesink agrees with the UCI’s decision, Quinn Simmons has an opposite position. “I am very much in favor of everything that promotes safety”, emphasizes the American Champion.
“It’s ridiculous how dangerous our sport is. Sometimes it really goes beyond the limit, sport in general. It’s very dangerous and we have to change things. But I don’t think this is something that will really bring about change.”
“It is the dangerous arrivals and the dangerous routes that the organizers take that cause the crashes. And pilots who do stupid things,” Simmons said.
“It doesn’t change safety now that my levers are set three centimeters out. It just makes me uncomfortable. But at the end of the day it’s a new rule and we have to follow the rules of our sport. At least the super extreme cases are disappearing now. I just hope they don’t do stupid things if you’re wrong by a degree or more.”
