If you don't have the June 2006 issue of MBA, you don't know what you're missing. It includes an exclusive shootout between two identical Gary Fisher Paragons. One has the standard 29 wheels and the other is a one-off, custom built "Paragon" with 26-inch wheels. Our goal was to test, all things being equal, the exact performance and ride difference between the two wheel choices. The results will surprise you.
While doing research for the article, we frequently came across the claim that 29 wheels are not legal for UCI-sanctioned events. So we posed the question to Gary Fisher Bicycles and Bontrager Brand Manager Ryan Atkinson. He sent back the proof that 29 wheels are legal to race anywhere you want.
Note: Gary Fisher went to the UCI and personally petitioned for this rule change.
29 INCHES WHEELS
Aigle, August 12th 2003
Dear Madams, Dear Sirs,
At its last meeting on 3 and 4 July of this year, the UCI Management Committee decided, at the proposal of the MTB Commission, to amend the rules, which had until now specified that the maximum wheel diameter for MTBs was 26 inches.
In the past athletes could choose whether to use 24 or 26 inches. >From 1 January 2004 they will also have the choice of using wheels with a maximum diameter of 29 inches.
Before this decision was taken the MTB Commission had sought advice from many quarters. After much research and consideration they had decided that none of the arguments put forward against the move would really be harmful to the development of the discipline.
A number of very positive arguments were raised:
1. Ever since its creation, and since it became part of UCI and the big family of cycling, MTB has always been a great "laboratory" for the development of cycling equipment. MTB is not governed by strict "Equipment" rules. This philosophy has allowed significant technological advances to be made for all disciplines. UCI has always wished to give free rein to the development of the MTB provided that this does not jeopardize the safety of the athletes or of the discipline itself.
2. This openness of the rules in some cases allows MTB practitioners to enjoy increased safety.
3. A number of practitioners (particularly in mass or cross-country events) have already been using MTBs with 29-inch wheels for some years. It would have been unfair, and against the interests of our sport, to exclude them from events in the international MTB calendar. Furthermore, taking into account the very strong development of the Marathon format Cross-country (which we wish to encourage), it is apparent that it would be extremely difficult for the commissaries to police the start lines of events with several thousand entrants.
4. The most important thing to bear in mind is that there is no obligation in this rule amendment; the choice of wheel diameter is still left up to each athlete. A change to the wheel diameters will not alter the nature of MTB events; on the other hand it is important that the choice of cross-country routes remains true to the spirit of the discipline.
This rule amendment, which comes into force on 1 January 2004 and which does not oblige anyone to anything, is simply a sign of openness and progress. There is no reason why this logical and positive development should not be beneficial to MTB.
Regis Alexandre
UCI Mountain Bike Coordinator
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