UCI Begins Gear Ratio Tests in Pro Races to Enhance Safety

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will conduct a trial starting in August 2025 to restrict maximum gear ratios in professional cycling races, aiming to reduce dangerous high speeds and enhance rider safety. The test limits the gear ratio to a 54-tooth chainring paired with an 11-tooth sprocket, effectively banning the commonly used 54x10 setup and impacting especially SRAM-sponsored teams that rely on 10-tooth cogs. This trial, initially set to take place during the Tour of Guangxi in China, is part of a data-gathering effort by the UCI's SafeR commission to evaluate the safety benefits of gear restrictions. Alongside gear ratio limitations, the UCI has mandated a minimum handlebar width of 400mm starting January 1, 2026, a rule that has sparked significant criticism, particularly from female riders and advocacy groups like The Cyclists' Alliance, who argue it disproportionately affects smaller stature cyclists. Despite backlash, the UCI has reaffirmed its commitment to these regulations as part of broader safety initiatives. Feedback and race data collected during the trial will inform potential permanent rule changes and further safety measures in professional road and cyclo-cross events.