disc brakes no longer welcome in pro peleton

[leftcoaster]

Sunday during the Paris-Roubaix race, a rider's leg was sliced open by a disc brake. Only 32 of the over 200 riders were using disc brakes. Here are two articles, one discussing the incident from the rider's perspective, and the second with the UCI announcement...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ventoso ... e-peloton/

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-sus ... so-injury/

"We don't need more risks than we already have in professional cycling", and Ryder Hesjedal stating, "I have felt this way since the very beginning! Should have never happened!" about the introduction of disc brakes into the road peloton

[EricS]

Why not just round off the edges?

I suppose I should actually read the articles before spouting off.

[Robgrant]

Are we sure Ventoso isn't a soccer player? “It doesn't hurt....I get off my bike, throw myself against the right-hand side of the road over the grass, cover my face with my hands in shock and disbelief, start to feel sick..."

[owen]

Are we sure Ventoso isn't a soccer player? “It doesn't hurt....I get off my bike, throw myself against the right-hand side of the road over the grass, cover my face with my hands in shock and disbelief, start to feel sick..."

Sounds like he went into shock... some people get rather squeamish when faced with a gnarly looking injury. I'm pretty sure most of the Belgians would've kept riding.

It also sounds like there is some controversy about whether or not it was a actually a disc that sliced him up.

[Brian S]

"Ventoso left the race in an ambulance with a bandage on his left calf."

" Let me take you to 130km into the race: into a cobbled section, a pile-up splits the field, with riders falling everywhere. I’ve got to break but I can’t avoid crashing against the rider in front of me, who was also trying not to hit the ones ahead. I didn’t actually fall down: it was only my leg touching the back of his bike. I keep riding. "

Still wondering. How did he injure his left leg, coming up on a rider in front of him, when the rear disc is mounted on the left side of the wheel? Did he try to go double sitting on the other guy's seat? Or did he turn around and back into the rider at speed in the peloton (OK he could have fallen backward onto the disc, but reports were that he did not crash). Now maybe if he contacted the front wheel disc? The conspiracy (theory) continues.......

[leftcoaster]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ventoso ... s-roubaix/

The article reports that the disc brake was from the bike of a Direct Energie rider although does not name who. Direct Energie was one of a number teams trialling the disc brake system at the Classics

“It was so deep that you could see the tibia,” García Acosta told El Periodico

[Brian S]

just making the point that the description of the injury, and apparent point of contact with a rear disc and hence mechanism of injury, do not make sense. Think about walking towards a bike from the back and bringing your left shin into contact with the left side of the rear wheel. Not easy

In the grand scheme, not a big deal. I like my disc brakes!

[leftcoaster]

I understand your logic, but in an accident bikes end up in all positions. While Ventoso's may have always faced forward, the bike he made contact with may have spun around. What I found most interesting was the extent of the injury even though Ventoso remained on his bike the entire time. I'm not philosophically against disc brakes for the purported increase in stopping power in wet conditions, I just think that sharp, heated, spinnng blades aren't safe in the pro peleton where there seems to numerous accidents on a daily basis.

[sailor]

Agree that there must be some form of conspiracy here. Given the evidence, there must have been a second bike involved in the accident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4InTyu2Mr6A

[Brian S]

just too perfect for words
'sadly we may never know the real truth....."

[Lister Farrar]

just making the point that the description of the injury, and apparent point of contact with a rear disc and hence mechanism of injury, do not make sense. Think about walking towards a bike from the back and bringing your left shin into contact with the left side of the rear wheel. Not easy

In the grand scheme, not a big deal. I like my disc brakes!

+1

More questions here. http://road.cc/content/tech-news/186146 ... es-peloton

The other so called disc injury in roubaix was with no disc bikes anywhere near.

And as for the source of the complaint, I recall top pro riders protesting helmets in 1980's, protesting doping controls, protesting doping chaperones, etc. They do tend to live in bit of a bubble. Told how great they are since their first wins, with cheerleader/journalists hanging on every word. This is why I look carefully for thoughtful pros before quoting them. They're not all thoughtful.

Also interesting test here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JplymlruPZ8
See 2:50 for a comparison of a disc vs spokes as a risk.

[Brian S]

And there may be lots of (lightly used, 'never raced or crashed') disc wheels coming up for sale.....in France

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/04/ ... kes_403092

[Lister Farrar]

Cycling BC bans discs starting in 6 weeks.

isn't this 28 days late?


Cycling BC [mailto:membership=cyclingbc.net@mail225.atl171.mcdlv.net] On Behalf Of Cycling BC
Sent: April-28-16 7:01 PM
To: Mike
Subject: Cycling BC statement on disc brakes in competition

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Cycling BC Statement on Disc Brakes in Competition

With the UCI ‘s recent suspension of their trial of disc brakes in road races, the question has been raised of what this means for individuals racing at the local and provincial level. Cycling BC looks to UCI and Cycling Canada regulations as a guide for provincially sanctioned races. These regulations guide us as best practices for running cycling events at the highest level.

Cycling Canada and the UCI have prohibited the use of disc brakes at road events at national and UCI events. Cycling BC will be enforcing this ban on disc brakes in competitive road events sanctioned at the provincial level, beginning June 13th, 2016.

This decision takes into account the current environment, where for many, the entry point into the sport is on a bicycle with disc brakes. This will allow some time for new riders to the sport to adjust to these requirements, so that they are not turned away in the next 6 weeks if a disc-brake-equipped bike is their only option.

Cycling BC will be following Cycling Canada's recommendations regarding disc brakes in non-competitive events, which state: "We don’t recommend using disc brakes in any instance where riders will be in a large group or bunch, however for club activities and non-competitive events, disc brakes are not banned unless otherwise directed."

Those riders competing at a higher level, who may be attending UCI or Cycling Canada-level races, or racing out of the province, must adhere to the regulations laid out for those events, which do not allow for the use of disc brakes at this time.

Cycling BC and our members acknowledge that participation in cycling activities involves many inherent risks, dangers and hazards. Cycling BC will continue to monitor developments on this issue.

130 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1P3
604-737-3034

If you have any questions, or if this regulation creates a barrier to your participation in the sport, please contact Richard Wooles at richard@cyclingbc.net.

Copyright © 2016 Cycling BC, All rights reserved.

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[Lister Farrar]

Unless we object. My letter this am received a note back asking me to encourage others to write to CBC with their opinions.

From: Lister Farrar [mailto:listerfarrar@telus.net]
Sent: April-29-16 9:03 AM
To: richard@cyclingbc.net
Cc: Brett Boniface <president@cyclingbc.net>
Subject: Disc announcement

This absolutely creates a barrier. This is a bad decision.

More than 20% of our youth program riders use disc brake cross bikes for road. They are far safer in cross and wet road conditions, especially for smaller hands, and asking riders to buy another bike when they are growing when there is no evidence of an increased risk, is completely unreasonable.

We have had no issues on road, nor concerns from parents. Including several parents who are doctors, paramedics, search and rescue, lawyers, and police, as well as cyclists themselves.

I was disappointed to see this decision was announced with no reference to any legal reason the UCI can demand this. Nor any studies quoted. Nor any evidence Ventoso's injury was even caused by a disc. Even his statement says he's didn't see the disc cut his leg. His statement also claims another rider in the ambulance had been cut by a disc, yet photos show there were no riders from the teams with discs anywhere near that rider in his crash.

While the UCI may be reacting to the pro riders organization, perhaps for political reasons, there is no reason for us to follow their lead. This is the same riders group that objected to helmets when they were introduced, objected to doping controls and chaperones, police searches of vehicles and race hotels for illegal substances, and did nothing while riders died in their sleep from Epo and when riders were crashing from poor braking on carbon rims. This is not an group that has a good record of thoughtful policy recommendations.

Nor is there any rule requiring nations or provinces to comply with UCI or CCC. Two examples: many other nations have youth national championships in cyclocross, yet we do not "because UCI doesn't have them at worlds"(CCC). Another is how CBC has different gear restrictions for u17 than CCC rules.

Please reverse this ruling until there is credible evidence of a risk beyond what has already been accepted for many years from aero spokes, chain rings and carbon wheel braking. There is none now. And this is a significant barrier to youth riders, arguably the highest priority of provincial organizations.

Lister Farrar
Tripleshot youth cycling coach

Sent from my iPhone

[John D]

Perhaps a letter from our resident COC-VP might carry some weight.

J.

[Lister Farrar]

Just got off the phone with Richard Wooles at Cycling bc. He agrees discs are better. But this rule change is apparently (still have to check with cycling Canada), because cycling Canada has decided that they and all their provinces must ban discs. So not even an initiative of the UCI insisting Canada comply, as far as I can tell. And they are telling commissaires to enforce the rules, and not officiate in any road event that allows discs. Yet apparently Cycling Canada says discs are ok in gran Fondos.

To give you an idea of the hysteria, cycling bc is also getting people pulling out of racing UNLESS all discs are banned. So very important to get your voice heard that proof of a risk, and not some drama queen spanish pro with iffy analytical skills, is required before we submit to the chicken littles.

(Is that jack boots I hear approaching in the distance?)

[Lister Farrar]

In the "is THAT what they're thinking?" category. Really? A response from the editor of Canadian cyclist.

A hint you're close to the mark Eric.

From: Lister Farrar <listerfarrar@telus.net>
Date: April 29, 2016 at 3:06:59 PM PDT
To: Robert Jones <rjones@canadiancyclist.com>
Subject: Re: Cycling BC bans disks

Funny how kids with one cross bike used for road aren't in your equation. And no reference to the complete lack of lack of evidence there's a problem. Huh. What's that about?

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 29, 2016, at 2:50 PM, Robert Jones <rjones@canadiancyclist.com> wrote:

The CCA has ALWAYS banned them, so CBC is behind the ball on this one. I understand that a lot of bikes are sold with disc brakes, but that is manufacturers jumping the gun and not recognizing that people will not be able to use them in sanctioned events. The same thing happened with a number of TT bikes previously, which were legal for triathlons, but never met UCI regs for road racing.

There is an interesting discussion about how the issue could be dealt with fairly easily if manufacturers blunted the edges of their discs - TRP does it but Shimano and SRAM don't. The reason? It would add an extra process in manufacturing and affect the profit margins. I have little sympathy for manufacturers on this one...

Rob

[Lister Farrar]

How's your Norwegian? Doesn't matter, the visuals say it all.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4YJeKb_hzAE

[Lister Farrar]

And the award for clairvoyance, engineering, and sensible thinking goes to Eric Simonson. We have word the UCI read his post right here about rounded edges on rotors and will be implementing it in June.

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/05/leaked-n ... l-in-june/

In lieu of some of us having to buy a new bike, I propose Eric never have to pay for coffee again.

[Lister Farrar]

For those who like stories of mistakes, hopefully to prevent in the future, this was a good report, including a mea culpa by a journalist for not really looking at discs thoroughly.

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/04/opinion- ... ake-trial/