The International Cycling Union (UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale) has approved the first models of frames and forks, under UCI’s new approval process, following requests submitted by their manufacturers.
The approved models belong to the following bike industry operators: Richard Sachs Cycles, Scott Sports SA, Cicli Pinarello S.p.A., Willier Triestina S.p.A., Felt Bicycles, Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, BMC Trading AG and Corima SA.
When they arrive on the market, the relevant frames and forks will feature a label certifying they are UCI approved. Meanwhile, the regularly updated full list of approved models is now available in the Equipment section of the UCI website.
At the time of writing, UCI has received approval requests from 17 manufacturers – including several leaders in the bicycle market – for more than 40 models. UCI will communicate the names of the labelled models as they are approved.
UCI’s Technology Coordinator Julien Carron said, "We appreciate that manufacturers on a whole have welcomed this new approval procedure. In January a meeting was organised at the UCI headquarters to enable manufacturers to actively contribute to the structure of the procedure.
“The UCI now continuously receives requests for approval from manufacturers, which clearly shows that the approval procedure is well accepted."
According to Bill Duehring, President of Felt Bicycles, "Felt is very proud to be among the first bicycle makers to receive the new UCI race-approved label. As a performance-oriented company fully committed to the competition side of cycling, we totally support this new clear and streamlined process.
“It takes any subjectivity out of what is UCI-legal and what isn’t, something we are 100% in favour of. Given the modern day complexity, lead times and costs associated with building advanced design bicycles we are quite happy to see the UCI embrace manufacturers as they have."
Frame manufacturer Richard Sachs, specialist in the production of frames for road cycling and cyclo-cross, was also among the first to request approval for one of his products. Sachs noted, "After my initial approval request, everything happened quickly.
“The procedure was simple and low cost. As manager and sponsor of a cyclo-cross team that participates in around thirty races per season, I have to say that the approval procedure for a product is as simple as that of registering for a race."
The UCI approval procedure for frames and forks came into force on 1 January 2011. The procedure ultimately leads to the award of a label certifying that new models are in accordance with the requirements of the UCI Regulation.
Following consultation with the manufacturers, UCI set up three distinct approval procedures: a comprehensive procedure (concerning ‘Monocoque’ models used during road time trials and track competitions), an intermediate procedure for ‘Monocoque’ models used during massed start road races and cyclo-cross, as well as ‘Monocoque’ models with backdated approval (prior to 2011) and a simplified procedure (concerning ‘tubular’ models).
The cost of the comprehensive procedure is priced in Swiss Francs at CHF 5,000 (€$3900 / US$5450). The intermediate procedure costs CHF 3,000 (€$2340 / US$3270) and the simplified procedure comes in at CHF 500 (€$390 / US$545).
In all three cases, this covers the approval of a maximum of 8 different sizes. A modest participation (of between CHF 50 and CHF 500 per frame size depending on the type of procedure) will be requested of manufacturers wishing to approve a larger number of sizes.
According to UCI, it is important to note that the above mentioned costs are merely cost-covering prices. ‘The UCI will not in any way profit from the approval process. The amount charged for the various approval procedures may be adapted in the future, depending on the evolution of the project’s finances.’
UCI feels that the new approval procedure resolves several problems encountered up until now by the manufacturers themselves, by pro cycling teams, their riders and/or the race officials working at competitions. UCI notes that:
• Manufacturers are assured of the conformity of products before they go into production
• Controversies over the conformity or otherwise of equipment is a thing of the past
• The work of race officials who inspect equipment at the start of event is made easier
• Riders – from pros to amateurs – can acquire a model that conforms to the UCI regulation
• The UCI approved label adds value to frames and forks, benefitting the manufacturers
