Following the publication of our recent lab test into whether wheel depth actually has a tangible impact on speed, the UCI spoke exclusively with Cyclingnews, offering yet more clarification on the controversial maximum wheel depth rule that drew criticism from wheel brand, Swiss Side following its rollout.
The rules, and subsequent clarification of the rules that the UCI output, only outlined speed as a factor for safety.
“These changes are part of an overall approach aimed at ensuring ever safer and fairer competition conditions, in a context marked by rapid technological advances and a significant increase in racing speeds that could have an impact on rider safety,” read a statement that also covered other rule changes, including handlebar width.
No further reasoning was given for limiting rim depth to a maximum of 65mm, though Swiss Side’s rebuttal to the ruling focussed heavily on wheel stability. With this discrepancy in mind it raised the question as to whether speed was the only factor considered, as our testing shows that increasing wheel depth does very little to affect velocity, to which the UCI responded:
“Wheel behaviour is governed by complex physical and aerodynamic phenomena that influence stability, steering and speed. Speed is indeed a contributing factor in the severity of injuries in the event of a crash; it therefore forms part — but not the entirety — of the criteria considered when introducing new regulations.
“The UCI does not address safety through a single isolated rule, but through a broader and coherent framework, of which equipment regulation is one component.”
“There is a substantial body of scientific evidence demonstrating that increasing rim depth systematically leads to higher lateral forces, greater steering moments and increased sensitivity to gusts under crosswind conditions, particularly at higher yaw angles.
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