Re: TdF Questions

[M Series]

The rule this year regarding helmets is that they are mandatory but when the
races finishes on a climb greater than 5km in length they may be removed
for the climb. I noticed that many riders had their helmets unclipped on the
earlier climbs which, kids, is not recommended, in the event of a crash they
wouldlose the helmet then bang their head, they may as well not use them !

Disc wheels are unstable in cross winds, there may be a reg stating that
from discs are banned, until recently, 2000 I think, the regs for bikes was
more lax and we saw smaller front wheels, less frame tubes, sloping top
tubes and good old fashioned lo-pro bikes.


"Sam Salt" > wrote in message
...
> Whilst watching the Tour I have a couple of questions I wonder if anyone
can
> answer ?
>
> 1. Why do the riders only sometimes wear helmets,apart of course from the
> time trial helmets? When they do,is it mandatory as they all seem to wear
> them.
>
> 2.In the time trials I presume that the disc rear wheel is to cut down on
> aerodynamic drag caused by using spokes,but why only the rear wheel.Surely
> the front spokes cause drag as well ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sam Salt
>
>
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[Sam Salt]

Thanks for that.


Sam Salt

M Series wrote:
> The rule this year regarding helmets is that they are mandatory but
> when the races finishes on a climb greater than 5km in length they
> may be removed for the climb. I noticed that many riders had their
> helmets unclipped on the earlier climbs which, kids, is not
> recommended, in the event of a crash they wouldlose the helmet then
> bang their head, they may as well not use them !
>
> Disc wheels are unstable in cross winds, there may be a reg stating
> that from discs are banned, until recently, 2000 I think, the regs
> for bikes was more lax and we saw smaller front wheels, less frame
> tubes, sloping top tubes and good old fashioned lo-pro bikes.
>
>
> "Sam Salt" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Whilst watching the Tour I have a couple of questions I wonder if
>> anyone can answer ?
>>
>> 1. Why do the riders only sometimes wear helmets,apart of course
>> from the time trial helmets? When they do,is it mandatory as they
>> all seem to wear them.
>>
>> 2.In the time trials I presume that the disc rear wheel is to cut
>> down on aerodynamic drag caused by using spokes,but why only the
>> rear wheel.Surely the front spokes cause drag as well ?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Sam Salt
>>
>>
>> ---
>> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>> Version: 6.0.502 / Virus Database: 300 - Release Date: 18/07/2003


---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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[JohnB]

Sam Salt wrote:

> Whilst watching the Tour I have a couple of questions I wonder if anyone can
> answer ?
>
> 1. Why do the riders only sometimes wear helmets,apart of course from the
> time trial helmets? When they do,is it mandatory as they all seem to wear
> them.

From the regs:

Article 5 - Port du casque
(art. 1.3.031)
Lors du Tour de France , le casque rigide est
obligatoire. Sauf disposition légale contraire,
les coureurs participant au Tour de France
peuvent, à leurs risques, enlever leur casque
lors de l'ascension finale, lorsque l'arrivée se
situe au sommet ; aux conditions suivantes :
1) L'ascension est de 5 km au moins
2) le casque ne peut-être enlevé avant le
début de l'ascension.

Article 5 - Helmet
During the Tour de France, the rigid security
helmet is compulsory. The riders participating
in the Tour de France can at their own
risks withdraw their helmet during the last
climb of the summit-finish-stages, at the following
conditions:
1) The climb is at least 5km-long;
2) The helmet cannot be withdrawn before
the climb.

> 2.In the time trials I presume that the disc rear wheel is to cut down on
> aerodynamic drag caused by using spokes,but why only the rear wheel.Surely
> the front spokes cause drag as well ?

This is probably due to handling characteristics.
A front disc wheel caught by any air movement is not very easy to control.
However UCI regs might cover it.

John B

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

"JohnB" > wrote in message
...
> Sam Salt wrote:

> However UCI regs might cover it.

We should be thankful the UCI deigns to sanction safety bicycles. I am sure
they would really like to go back to Ordinaries. They are Luddites.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.com

[Arthur Clune]

M Series > wrote:
: The rule this year regarding helmets is that they are mandatory but when the
: races finishes on a climb greater than 5km in length they may be removed
: for the climb. I noticed that many riders had their helmets unclipped on the
: earlier climbs which, kids, is not recommended, in the event of a crash they
: wouldlose the helmet then bang their head, they may as well not use them !

True enough, but since that's on the climb it's more important for the
riders to be cool, hence the loose straps. They then do the straps
up for the descent.

Arthur