[acoggan]

The UCI has no rules governing handlebar width, but does require that your handlebars enable you to safely control your bike under all conditions. The question is, are aerobars that lack any outboard position (ala Hooker) legal under this rule? Curtis Gunn was able to get his hour record approved even though he used such bars

http://www.cyclingnews.com/trackphotos.php?id=photos/2004/nov04/LATT/9950-The-Start

so at least the commissares present at that attempt thought that they were...I'm wondering, though, whether that is a common standard, or just luck?

[PeterB]

I believe there is a change happening which will deem all aerobar extensions must be horizontal with the ground. Will it be the death of upturned ends and s-bends or only stop the praying mantis position ? Who knows how this new ruling will be interpreted. I think some of the AWD's would have significant concerns.

[WarrenG]

What are "AWD's"?

[PeterB]

Athletes With a Disability

[alex]

acoggan •wrote• The UCI has no rules governing handlebar width

The UCI rule that applies is the overall width of the bike can be no more than 50cm, since bars are generally the widest part, this can be said to be the bar width restriction. That is plenty wide for most.

I would hate to think that a rule to make extensions horizontal would ever come in.

[acoggan]

alex •wrote•

acoggan •wrote• The UCI has no rules governing handlebar width

The UCI rule that applies is the overall width of the bike can be no more than 50cm, since bars are generally the widest part, this can be said to be the bar width restriction.

Sorry, perhaps I should have specified "minimal width" (I thought it was clear that I'm interested in how narrow one can go, not how wide).

[alex]

There is no dimensional restriction on narrowness. So it comes down to interpretation of the controllability law, which I can't say one way or another. I think you are right, luck and who is commissaire on the day will play a part.