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TECH NEWS
shimano-9170-3.jpgDisc brakes in the pro peloton: Riders demand better safety for disc brake rollout
Today the CPA (Cyclistes Professionels Associés), a union for professional cyclists, says that the current move to introduce disc brakes doesn’t adequately guarantee the safety conditions of the riders.
The CPA says in a press release issued today that it submitted three safety requests to the UCI Equipment Commission, but it’s not happy with the outcome. The three safety requests are rounded disc rotors, safety guards and that all riders should use disc brakes to allow the same braking performance.
"At this point, there is a reason to believe that it is not yet time to start these tests," says Gianni Bugno. "As we have said several times, we are not against the technological innovation, but we are worried above all by the safety of the riders on the road.”
- 2017's hottest disc-equipped road bikes
Of those three safety requests, rounded rotors are already being introduced, but so far we’ve not seen any viable safety guards been put forward by Shimano or SRAM, the two component manufacturers that currently offer disc brakes.
And it’s clear the UCI isn’t forcing the entire peloton to switch wholesale to disc brakes, as we’ve seen individual riders Tom Boonen and Marcel Kittel using discs last month. Today Cannondale-Drapac confirmed the whole team will use discs.
Most other teams have been very quiet on the subject of introducing disc brakes. We’re a long way from the entire peloton using discs, not to mention the fact that Campagnolo hasn’t even released its disc brakes yet.
- Have disc brakes really led to injuries in peloton?
In a letter sent to the UCI Equipment Commission, CPA President Gianni Bugno also “expresses his concern about the fact that some riders are already using disc brakes in racing while the Equipment Commission is still working to improve the safety and performance of this equipment.”
“He called for a better clearness in the regulations concerning the use of the disc brakes, with the aim of reassuring the riders on the proper management of this project,” added the CPA. "We believe that the riders will finally agree and that at the end they will be happy to use these new technologies in the race, but only once the preventive safety measures that have been requested will be carried out," added Gianni Bugno.
"We also asked that all the riders will be able to use a bicycle with disc brakes as soon as possible for the training. It would be ridiculous to test such equipment for the first time in the race. This first step seems to me logical and indisputable in the process if we want to put this new system in place in our sport.”
The UCI restarted its disc brake trial this season but it has not provided any ruling on what disc brake standards should be adopted and whether an entire team or individual rider can use discs. Clearly, the UCI has left the decision up to the team, it’s not exactly forcing discs through on the teams, but does the organisation need to show better leadership in this tricky and controversial debate.
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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41 comments
Okay I'm having a real problem with this. I'm neither here nor there with Disc Brakes on road bikes in general, but all this fuss? Really?
I'm still sceptical about the 'injury' apparently caused by a disc in a race last year, especially when there are far greater threats to riders in a crash - you know, brake levers, handlebars, other riders body parts, that really sharp, death star- sorry, sprocket - out back. I don't understand what difference rounded discs, let alone safety guards, will make.
And how would those work anyway? It's almost certainly going to be impractical or an inordinate time cost for a mechanic to try and change a wheel during a race, and what are they going to be made of - carbon fibre? Because nothing ever goes wrong when carbon breaks into a million tiny sharp pieces on impact... Aluminium? Say Hello to heat soak. Steel? Yes please, by all means add more weight to my bike as well as inviting small objects to get caught in there.
It's all a bit too cry baby for me. man up and get on with it.
The real reason is that disk brakes, when combined with a 300W motor, create a pretty effective bacon slicer.....
Hmmmm. In order to race closely what they really need is some sort of safe breaking surface. Maybe the rim? They could then use soft rubber blocks as brakes... Makes it quicker to change a wheel too. Just a thought...
Can't see the value in a surface that breaks... surely that is bad for rider safety? Just a thought.
I guess they are taking their cues from mountain biking and cyclocross which have seen such a tragic loss of lives over the past years due to disc brakes.
RIP all those lost to disc brakes.
On a more serious note, maybe if you're aware the guy in front has more stopping power....don't ride up his arse? If we find out that riders are making gains in breaking distances then surely caliper equipped teams have just messed up and need to equip asap. Nobody is wanting to boycott the latest frames or tyres or chain that may give a you gains. Smacks a bit of not wanting to take your own safety in consideration and it'll be someone else's fault if there's an accident.
When you are a race situation - a peloton by defintiion will put you into very close proximity of other riders and bikes. You won't have a choice. Over a hundred riders holding a wheel, slip-streaming, sprinting, fighting for position.
And it isn't about the gains in braking distance giving an unfair advantage - its about the safety of discs when a pile-up happens.
But the main problem with this is nobody has come up with the definitive disc brake injury yet. Haven't the disc injuries of 2016 been debunked? Pretty sure one of the claims ended up being from rider involved in a group that didn't even have discs.
Exactly that. Fuss over nothing.
And differences in rim vs disc stopping power in the peloton are irrelevant. That argument implies that everyone on rim brakes brakes uniformly, which is nonsense.
Rims, discs: I'm not arsed either way. Pro tour rim brakes are adequate for the pro tour. But the arguments for avoiding disc brakes in professional tours are woo-woo.
Have you ever actually ridden in a bunch in a race?
That aside, whilst I'm really not convinced discs are necessary on a pro road bike, I do think the CPA and Bugno are wrong to go after this on safety grounds. The Ventoso injury at PR was obviously nonsense.
I was at Bieles to watch the World CX champs and the switch to discs is almost 100%. I recall most of the euro CX riders being very sniffy about discs just a couple of years back.
Wouldn't want to be a neutral service provider though....
Well said, Sir!
Mountain biking - doesn't feature tightly grouped peletons.
Cyclocross - doesn't feature high speeds.
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