The road and technical commissions of Cycling South Africa have decided to permit road cyclists to use disc brakes, it was announced in an official statement today.
The organisation said it had received various requests to allow cyclists to use disc brakes since their inclusion in the WorldTour events.
The road and technical commissions of Cycling South Africa have decided to permit road cyclists to use disc brakes while participating in events. Photo: Supplied
Cycling SA (CSA) said a conservative approach to the issue had been taken by the International Cycling Union (UCI) mostly due to safety concerns and their use in large pelotons.
CSA had followed the guidelines set by the UCI and had not permitted their use in road races.
However, it said that the UCI had tested disc brake bikes for the past 18 months “and the concerns from the outset have been addressed”.
It had been determined that each national federation “can permit or forbid the use of disc brakes”.
The UCI published the following communique:
“As part of the trial phase for disc brakes during road races, the UCI Management Committee has decided to extend this trial to all events registered on the UCI international calendar, except the junior events.
“For road events registered on the national calendar, the decision to permit or forbid disc brakes is at the discretion of National Federations; this includes the National Road Championships.”
Cycling SA said it felt that “disc brakes in road races will soon become a norm as the industry keeps pushing technological improvements to bicycles”.
It said the ruling came into immediate effect.
