JUNIOR GEARING RESTRICTIONS

FOR ALL EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE BERMUDA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION:

JUNIOR 15-16, THE MAXIMUM ROLL-OUT IS 7.93 METRES (26’ 0”)

JUNIOR 13-14, AND YOUNGER, THE MAXIMUM ROLL-OUT IS 7.33 METRES (24’ 1”)

1.      Although it is strongly recommended that riders equip their bikes with appropriate sprockets and chain rings in order to comply with the Gearing Restrictions, as this makes for a significantly more efficient set-up, a permissible alternative is to “block-off” illegal sprockets and/or chain rings.

2.      To encourage the use of appropriate gears in the younger age categories, notwithstanding the Gearing Regulations, individual parents or coaches may wish to implement even greater restrictions, by, for example, “blocking-off” the large chain ring.

3.      Failure to comply with the Junior Gearing Roll-out Test will result in automatic disqualification. Race officials will be expected to “spot check” for compliance from time to time, either before or after races. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that his bike complies with the Junior Gearing Roll-out Test.

4.       “Roll-out” is the distance a bike travels each time the pedals make a complete turn.

DOING THE ROLL-OUT TEST:

It is a very simple process to determine if you bike meets the BBA's Junior Gearing Roll-out Test. Absolutely no specialized knowledge is required. This is how it's done:

1.      Put two marks on the ground that are 7.33 metres (24' 1") apart if you are a Junior 13-14 or younger or 7.93 metres (26" 0") apart if you are a Junior 15-16.

2.      Make sure your bike is in its top gear. That is the chain must be on the largest front chainring and the smallest rear sprocket.

3.      Put your bike over one of the marks on the ground, with the rear wheel closest to the other mark.

4.      Put the cranks in an absolutely vertical position and line up the lower pedal axle with the mark.

5.      Roll the bike backwards in a straight line towards the other mark. The cranks will turn as you roll the bike. If the crank you lined up with the first mark makes one complete revolution and ends up back at its lowest position before you reach the other mark, then YOU PASSED! If not, you or your bike mechanic will have to make some adjustments.

The following combinations of largest front chainring and smallest rear cog SHOULD enable your bike to pass the BBA's Junior Gearing Roll-out Test (although tire dimensions and even pressures can sometimes make enough of a difference to invalidate some of these combinations and the BBA rule specifically requires the bike to pass the Junior Gearing Roll-out Test described above, so always do the Roll-out Test after setting up the bike, just to make sure):

Junior Boys 15 and 16

If using 700C wheels:

If using 650C wheels

Junior 13 and 14, 11 and 12, 10 and under

If using 700C wheels:

If using 650C wheels