Youth gear restrictions

WHAT GEARS ARE MY SON OR DAUGHTER ALLOWED TO USE IN RACES & WHY?

All youth (Under 16) riders are required to adhere to British Cycling gear restrictions when racing. This is to ensure riders are not pushing too hard a gear and potentially damaging developing bodies, and to offer a level playing field in races. 

Note: the current regulations state that gear restrictions only apply to circuit/road racing and track racing. Time trials, cyclocross and mountain bike racing do not currently have gear restrictions.

Junior riders (Under 18) are NO LONGER restricted and can race on any combination they choose.

GEAR CHECK AT RACES

In general all bikes should be checked prior to signing on & registration, to see if your bike has the correct gear restrictions for your age group.

The first three riders plus any picked at random in addition to those using gear locking could be rechecked as soon as the event finishes. If a bike does not meet the regulations the rider will be disqualified.

The absolute measure for gear restriction is the distance traveled in one complete revolution of the cranks. Sprocket and chain ring combination alone cannot be used to assess gear size.

BRITISH CYCLING GEAR LIMITS TABLE

Age category for the year       Roll out in metres  Approx Gear Inches  Chain ring/Sprocket combinations

Youth E  Under  8 at 1st Jan   5.10 metres            64 inch    39×16 / 41×17 / 43×18 / 48×19

Youth D  Under 10 at 1st Jan  5.40 metres            68 inch    41×16 / 43×17 / 46×18 / 49×19

Youth C  Under 12 at 1st Jan  6.05 metres            76 inch    39×14 / 42×15 / 45×16 / 48×17

Youth B  Under 14 at 1st Jan  6.45 metres            80 inch    39×13 / 42×14 / 45×15 / 51×17

Youth A  Under 16 at 1st Jan  6.93 metres            88 inch    39×12 / 42×13 / 47×15 / 52×16

(CATEGORY GEAR LIMIT EXAMPLE FOR 700c WHEELS and a 23mm tyre)

N.B. For track and roller racing events where an exceptionally talented Youth A, B or C rider has received dispensation from British Cycling HQ to compete against riders of an older category, then that rider shall be restricted in gearing to that of the older category.

How to check at home:

The above is a rough guide to gear restrictions for each age group but always check yourself at home by completing a gear "role out" to be on the safe side:

Thanks to velodrome shop for this handy gear table: