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TECH NEWS

Disc brakes to be permitted in peloton in 2017

UCI announcement imminent; they’re also examining 6.8kg minimum bike weight rule

Disc brakes will be introduced in professional road racing in 2017, according to a source involved in discussions between the UCI, cycle sport’s world governing body, and the bike industry regarding race equipment. The UCI has also opened discussions with the bike industry concerning the possibility of amending the 6.8kg minimum bike weight rule and the ‘3:1’ rule that applies to the frame, fork, handlebar, stem and seatpost.

The UCI is currently reviewing many of the rules regarding race equipment in consultation with committees from the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), a body that includes many of the biggest players in the bike industry.

The WFSGI’s Bicycle Committee is essentially the voice of the bike industry as far as the UCI and International Olympic Committee (IOC) are concerned. The Bicycle Committee comprises three sub-committees: the Wheel Committee, the Saddle Committee, and the Technical Committee that includes a Disc Brake Working Group.

Our source told us unequivocally that after consultations with the WFSGI’s Technical Committee, the UCI will allow the use of disc brakes in the pro peloton the season after next. An official announcement will be made very soon, certainly within the next month.

We reported last year that Jeroen Snijders Blok of the WFSGI had said that he expected disc brakes to appear in the pro peloton in 2016, but it now looks like it’ll be the following year.

At a WFSGI public meeting at Taipei Cycle last week, Snijders Blok refused to give any indication of the timescale for the introduction of disc brakes but he did confirm that an announcement was imminent, the timing of that announcement to be agreed with the UCI.

Snijders Blok also indicated that the introduction would be wholesale rather than staggered with some disc brakes permitted in some road races but not in others.

“There will be a fixed date, said Snijders Blok. “As of this date disc brakes will be allowed in road racing. Period.

“With the UCI, we are aiming for a level playing field for all manufacturers so they have as much time as possible for the introduction of disc brakes.”

Yves Mori, the WFSGI’s Communication and Bicycle Manager, said, “We have had a lot of meetings with the UCI over the past year and many conference calls within the industry, and we have provided the technical requirements documentation to the UCI addressing all technical issues. They brought forward requests regarding the heat of a road disc brake, for example, which may be an issue. We have answered all of these questions from the UCI.

“Then they asked for an overview of the status of the Pro Tour teams, where they all stand and whether tests have already been done or not.

“We collected a lot of information and shared this with the UCI, and we also made a proposal on the introduction procedure. I think we can say that we are very close to an agreement on the introduction timing and the introduction mode and that will be communicated together with the UCI very soon.”

“The UCI have said that they will start the process of approving frames that use disc brakes as soon as it is announced. They have said that they have no fears that this will be an issue for the introduction into pro racing.

“Companies need some time to adjust their products for a rule change and this is always taken into consideration in discussions between the WFSGI and the UCI.”

That’s a further indication that 2016 is too soon for the introduction.

Yves Mori also announced that the UCI has indicated that other key equipment regulations are now up for discussion, including the best known: the 6.8kg minimum bike weight for UCI-approved races.

Referring to a recent meeting between the WFSGI and the UCI, Mori said, “The UCI threw into the room the topics of the possible removal of the 3:1 regulation [where the length of the cross section of frame tubes and various other bike elements must not exceed three times the width - Ed] plus the removal of the 6.8kg weight limit. They asked for the opinions of the industry.

“We promised to collect information from all of our members and to give a statement at a later stage. Just that you know topics that UCI are thinking about but the work has not been started yet.”

Snijders Blok added, “What we see here with the soon announcement of disc brakes, the 3:1 regulation, the 6.8kg weight limitation, with changes on saddles [the UCI has asked for a report from the WFSGI concerning the current saddle regulations - Ed], the UCI has became a completely different organisation when it comes to innovation and when it comes to co-operation with the bicycle industry.”

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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117 comments

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WolfieSmith | 8 years ago
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I'll wait 3 years to see what's become standard before deciding whether to change. I prefer the look of caliper brakes to be honest ( so much so I won't buy Super Record until Campag realise black brakes look crap) and after buying mini disc and then mini video I'm just glad Sony aren't making disc brakes...

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Pat Hayes | 8 years ago
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Switched to discs for X this year and would never go back to cantis on basis of performance . Don't look nice though so understand why people don't like them.

Lot of top X riders carry on with cantis as have to replace all your wheels and interchange ability is a real issue with discs . Suspect this will be an issue that limits take up for road racing as can't just wack any wheel in

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hampstead_bandit | 8 years ago
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@CXR94Di2

yeah its balls. I've been using disc brakes on mountain bikes since 1995, and no complaints here. Disc brakes were as much of a game-changer for MTB as the introduction of the suspension fork, and later the full-suspension frame.

I have ridden mountain bikes with disc brakes all over the World including multiple vacations in Whistler Bike Park, Canada which is one of the most punishing tests of brake equipment.

@Millskid

if you are having issues with the disc brakes on your MTB, find a decent mechanic to sort it out.

Apart from cleaning the brakes, and changing pads once worn, they require little maintenance.

Most problems are due to poor setup, or a defect in a specific brake.

Disc brakes on road bikes?

I've been riding a 2015 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 with Shimano hydraulic discs since last year. No interest in ever riding a caliper brake road bike ever again, they are that good, especially in our wet climate.

Descending on discs gives much more control meaning you can go quicker, more safely. I come from a mountain bike back ground specifically downhill and freeride (at a professional level) and am not shy going down hills:

//ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb12032832/p4pb12032832.jpg)

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Craig P | 8 years ago
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" My main concern, one that I'll need to see proven beyond doubt before I buy, is how they'll tackle brake fade on the lighter and lighter rotors the road industry will demand. Heavy rotors aren't really an issue on the other examples mentioned - but if a long descent can generate enough heat on a rim to burst tyres as was the case in Oman recently, I don't feel too optimistic about discs right now. " -

Trust me - not a problem with 140mm Shimano IceTech rotors. I built a Specialized Roubaix last fall, with HED Ardennes + wheels, Di2, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Took it on it's first ride - the Unknown Coast in Northern California, with extremely steep descents of thousands of feet. Would have scared the crap out of me on rim brakes. Actually did scare the crap out of me, but the brakes worked absolutely fine. If you ride in the mountains like we do in Northern California, hydraulic disc brakes make perfect sense.

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Craig P | 8 years ago
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And my rotors never rub - not sprinting out of the saddle, not ever. Just FYI.

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hampstead_bandit | 8 years ago
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Only noise I get from my disc brakes is a tiny tinkle from the Shimano Ice-Tech cooling fins on the brake pads, but no rotor rub - if the rotors were rubbing something has gone very wrong with either the brake or the wheel axle!

//ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb11838366/p4pb11838366.jpg)

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thegibdog | 8 years ago
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My comment was merely relating to what I noticed when watching the Superprestige & World Cup races this winter. I was expecting to see more disc brakes on show but usually there was only one or two of the frontrunners (i.e. the ones that were getting air time) running discs. I suppose it's only a matter of time until the vast majority switch to discs, but my point was that it's not been a rapid changeover. And brakes are used more regularly and more heavily in CX than they are in road races.

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CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
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I have a mtb with through axles. Absolutely no alignment issues. I have road bike with quick release again no issues dropping the wheel back into the mounts. Disc brakes have a a small pull back on the pads just like motorcycle car brakes.

My mtb has seen 3 winters and one set of pads, no other servicing has been required. They are no issues with disc brakes.

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BigDummy | 8 years ago
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Quote:

I have Avid Juicy Hydraulic Disc Breaks, trust me they rub.

Juicys will, yes.

No offence, but you're commenting on disc brake technology from the position of someone whose only experience of it is using a set of brakes so criminally shit that SRAM has completely re-designed them and dropped the Avid name from the range to try to exorcise the shitness demons.

Use something other than Juicys, like the rest of us have been for about 5 years.  16

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PonteD | 8 years ago
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So for all those people saying they don't get brake rub, I take it you've never had to retrue a brake disk. This happens to me from time to time, it's easily fixed with an adjustable spanner but a nuisance nonetheless. I tend to get it from the bike racks at work as they interfere with disks when parked.

I personally like disks, but don't like the fact the manufacturers will likely stick a couple of hundred £ premium on disk equipped frames.

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mrmo | 8 years ago
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http://i2.wp.com/www.flowzone.ch/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DSC_0054.jpg...

thought i would dig this photo out again.

Discs make a lot of sense in bad weather, in mud, etc, they are not a panacea, if the road surface is covered in shit, you are going to have traction issues.

Discs do ping and do make more noise than calipers, particularly if you get some contamination and end up with a pair of banshees, you can get away with a bit of oil on rims and cleaning, discs and a bit of oil, tends to result in a pair of trashed pads.

For those commenting on weight saving, light mtb rims weighed c400grams before discs and still weigh c400grams. Think of it like this, Mavic GEL280's how many rims can you buy now that are lighter? do you really think you can make a aluminium structure any lighter if you remove the braking surfaces. (Carbon is a different question)

You will have people whinging and there will be the constant, bleed your brakes comments.

Are they a game changer, in my opinion no, on an mtb the increased clearance was for me the major selling point.

My next road bike will have discs, why? Because the market has decided that discs are the way forward, so no point fighting the facts. Same reason that there is no point buying a 26" wheel mtb anymore. Why buy technology on its way out and where spares will be an issue in the near future.

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joemmo | 8 years ago
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I'd just like to keep repeating disque braix, dysc braykz, dizk breacs, dissk braiks until someone explodes.

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Paul J | 8 years ago
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disc breaks is something you get at greek weddings not on bicycles!

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Simmo72 | 8 years ago
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My concerns are
Impact of having a mix of caliper and disc brakes in a group, especially technical cornering - it does not sounds like a good pairing whether in pro or local amateur races.

Danger of injury from discs in a crash, again specifically within the peleton.

brakes out performing the wheel/tyre

More pressure on us mortals to upgrade and the hassle of doing so - frames, wheels, all obsolete.

I'm in no hurry to switch my road bike

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Simmo72 | 8 years ago
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BRAKES, the word is BRAKES. It really isn't difficult.

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crikey | 8 years ago
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As noted a number of posts above, if you want disc brakes, you can have them. If you don't want them, you don't have to have them.

Cyclists are like the bastard sons of train spotters and golfers.

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ThumbTack | 8 years ago
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Hydraulic disc brakes for road bikes have been around for 40-50 some odd years. Now figure out why has it taken so long for them to be adopted for racing? Some of you already know the answer. The rest never will.  3

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kevinmorice | 8 years ago
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I can already lock up both wheels on my slick tyres easily enough if I jam on the brakes at high speed. Where is the advantage of carrying extra weight for more braking power? All you do is move the limit to the tyre rather. I would have to go to heavier tread tyres, with more rolling road friction, and between the weight and the friction, surely I must be giving up more than I can save by braking later into a few corners? Are the heat dispersing characteristics really worth it?

Mountain biking, discs make sense.
Cyclocross, discs make sense.
Commuting, discs can make sense depending on weather and tyres.
Road racing in summer, I am not really seeing the point.

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BrokenBootneck | 8 years ago
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If you go and cycle some of the very severe hills in Exmoor or over the Strines or any place that contains lots of short sharp hills, disc breaks are better on a road bike. In traffic disc brakes are better, on longer gentle descents disc brakes work better. In wet or dry discs are better, sometimes they squeal in the wet, so what? they still work better!

I have new Campag Veloce on one bike and avid BB5s on another, I know which I would rather have on all my bikes if I had too pick!

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crazy-legs | 8 years ago
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Quote:

Yeah, because a pair of track rims save a good kilo compared to road rims don't they.

Your sarcasm is wasted - track wheels are built for stiffness and aerodynamics, weight is very much a lesser issue in the controlled environment of a velodrome.

Removing the brake track from road (or CX,/MTB etc) wheels is a massive boost to performance, you can build the wheel stiffer, more aerodynamic, stronger, lighter, wider...
All without the constraints and fragility of a parallel machined rim.

It's not solely about weight.

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antigee | 8 years ago
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I can already lock up both wheels on my slick tyres easily enough if I jam on the brakes at high speed.

far too true and it is possible with disks too but is a harder to do - feel and consistency is so much better - I went to disks on my cx stylee aka drop bar hybrid when I noticed that on some hills I got to higher speeds on my disk braked MTB simply because I knew that i could scrub the speed safely when I wanted to

as said above this is a proposed change in rules for the pro-peleton - it won't be compulsory

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antonio | 8 years ago
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Another commercial move to get more dosh out of cyclists, should be some real bargains on future near redundant road models with traditional brakes. Just go with whatever you are comfortable with.

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gareth2510 replied to BigDummy | 8 years ago
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BigDummy wrote:
Quote:

I have Avid Juicy Hydraulic Disc Breaks, trust me they rub.

Juicys will, yes.

No offence, but you're commenting on disc brake technology from the position of someone whose only experience of it is using a set of brakes so criminally shit that SRAM has completely re-designed them and dropped the Avid name from the range to try to exorcise the shitness demons.

Use something other than Juicys, like the rest of us have been for about 5 years.  16

haha, well said.  24

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HulaBoy replied to hampstead_bandit | 8 years ago
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WANT!

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truffy replied to mrmo | 8 years ago
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mrmo wrote:

Why buy technology on its way out and where spares will be an issue in the near future.

Rim brake spares are going to be an issue in the near future? Seriously?

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CXR94Di2 replied to Simmo72 | 8 years ago
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Simmo72 wrote:

My concerns are
Impact of having a mix of caliper and disc brakes in a group, especially technical cornering - it does not sounds like a good pairing whether in pro or local amateur races.

[BThat happens already. Riders brake at different intensity. Riding in a pack you have to vigilant. /B]

Danger of injury from discs in a crash, again specifically within the peleton.

Coming into contact of of disc would be very slim as it's central part of the wheel and behind the fork or rear frame

brakes out performing the wheel/tyre

Rim brakes can out perform tyres already. Disc brakes allow better modulation for much less effort.

More pressure on us mortals to upgrade and the hassle of doing so - frames, wheels, all obsolete.

Only if you are a sheep. Or are in the market for new bike  1

I'm in no hurry to switch my road bike

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unfiltereddregs replied to Craig P | 8 years ago
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 2 I

Craig P wrote:

And my rotors never rub - not sprinting out of the saddle, not ever. Just FYI.

I've been riding bb7s for the last 7000 miles. I weigh 200# and descend like a beast. I beat the shut out of my ride, Salsa Ti Warbird.

Although my brakes are cable actuated I have them so dialed in it's as if I can feel the road in my hands when braking.

Confidence inspiring, akin to squeezing a we'll tuned trigger if I have to adjust my line through an apex...

Utterly reliable through all conditions.

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JonD replied to kevinmorice | 8 years ago
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kevinmorice wrote:

I can already lock up both wheels on my slick tyres easily enough if I jam on the brakes at high speed.
(snip)
Road racing in summer, I am not really seeing the point.

Locking brakes, oh goody, that's an on/off switch

a) modulation
b) even in summer it chucks it down

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Nick T replied to crazy-legs | 8 years ago
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crazy-legs wrote:

Your sarcasm is wasted - track wheels are built for stiffness and aerodynamics, weight is very much a lesser issue in the controlled environment of a velodrome.

Removing the brake track from road (or CX,/MTB etc) wheels is a massive boost to performance, you can build the wheel stiffer, more aerodynamic, stronger, lighter, wider...
All without the constraints and fragility of a parallel machined rim.

It's not solely about weight.

I must have missed the memo about stiffness and aerodynamics not being relevant on the road.

Many high end wheels don't have parallel rims any more, and whether they've been machined or not isn't really relevant - machining just takes the finish off the alloy surface of some rims and even that's mostly cosmetic. you effectively "machine" yourself them by squeezing your brakes on.

Shallow, lightweight wheels will still need to be box shaped to hold the tyre in place. Deep, aero rims will still be as wide as the tyre to control air flow. I don't know what super duper rim shapes you're imagining will be possible with mega, stronger yet use less material brake track-less rims, but I bet they defy the laws of physics.

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mrmo replied to gareth2510 | 8 years ago
0 likes
gareth2510 wrote:
BigDummy wrote:
Quote:

I have Avid Juicy Hydraulic Disc Breaks, trust me they rub.

Juicys will, yes.

No offence, but you're commenting on disc brake technology from the position of someone whose only experience of it is using a set of brakes so criminally shit that SRAM has completely re-designed them and dropped the Avid name from the range to try to exorcise the shitness demons.

Use something other than Juicys, like the rest of us have been for about 5 years.  16

haha, well said.  24

And this is one of the reasons i will never buy SRAM.... strangely Rockshox forks are ok though?????

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