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> I would be really interested to see some things like how far someone could hit a golf ball if there were no restrictions on the club or ball or how fast a per

by jkyle 11y ago

> I would be really interested to see some things like how far someone could hit a golf ball if there were no restrictions on the club or ball or how fast a person could swim if there were no restrictions on the swimsuits. Sometimes restrictions actually serve to amplify the technology used. For example, in cycling there are lower weight limits on the bike. If not for that, all the research would go into making bikes as light as possible since it directly translates into lower power for a given speed. By putting a restriction on how light a bike can be, research gains in materials to reduced weight allowed companies to put other augmentations on the bike. Like electronic shifters and the growing popularity of disc brakes on road bikes. Restrictions are just a formal declaration of what's "fair". I'd say they're necessary for any sport to be successful. For example, if there were literally zero restrictions on swim suits you'd see motorized swim suits or air jets, etc. And it wouldn't be what we think of as a "swimming" competition anymore.

jdietrich 11y ago
>For example, in cycling there are lower weight limits on the bike. If not for that, all the research would go into making bikes as light as possible since it directly translates into lower power for a given speed. Aero is much more important than weight. Pro bikes often come in slightly above the UCI weight limit, because an extra few hundred grams is a worthwhile tradeoff for a reduction in drag. In other forms of cyclesport, the weight limit is irrelevant. The weight limit was introduced primarily for safety reasons, and the UCI are considering abolishing it after the introduction of frame homologation testing. >the growing popularity of disc brakes on road bikes This has nothing to do with racing. Disc brakes are currently banned in road racing, with limited exceptions for ProTour teams performing testing. Road discs were driven by marketing, not competition. >Sometimes restrictions actually serve to amplify the technology used. The UCI's technical regulations have been a consistent barrier to progress, from the recumbent ban of 1934 to the aspect ratio rules of 2009. The UCI explicitly declared their opposition to technological progress in the Lugano charter. There is now considerable pressure for the UCI to abolish the charter, both from within and without the organisation. http://oldsite.uci.ch/imgarchive/Road/Equipment/The%20Lugano%20charter.pdf http://oldsite.uci.ch/imgarchive/Road/Equipment/The%20Lugano...
- jkyle 11y ago
  UCI is lifting the disc brake ban. [1] 1. http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/bikes-and-tech/uci-to-lift-ban-on-disc-brakes-in-august_366590 http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/bikes-and-tech/uci-to...

by jkyle 11y ago

jdietrich 11y ago

>For example, in cycling there are lower weight limits on the bike. If not for that, all the research would go into making bikes as light as possible since it directly translates into lower power for a given speed. Aero is much more important than weight. Pro bikes often come in slightly above the UCI weight limit, because an extra few hundred grams is a worthwhile tradeoff for a reduction in drag. In other forms of cyclesport, the weight limit is irrelevant. The weight limit was introduced primarily for safety reasons, and the UCI are considering abolishing it after the introduction of frame homologation testing. >the growing popularity of disc brakes on road bikes This has nothing to do with racing. Disc brakes are currently banned in road racing, with limited exceptions for ProTour teams performing testing. Road discs were driven by marketing, not competition. >Sometimes restrictions actually serve to amplify the technology used. The UCI's technical regulations have been a consistent barrier to progress, from the recumbent ban of 1934 to the aspect ratio rules of 2009. The UCI explicitly declared their opposition to technological progress in the Lugano charter. There is now considerable pressure for the UCI to abolish the charter, both from within and without the organisation. http://oldsite.uci.ch/imgarchive/Road/Equipment/The%20Lugano%20charter.pdf http://oldsite.uci.ch/imgarchive/Road/Equipment/The%20Lugano...

jkyle 11y ago
UCI is lifting the disc brake ban. [1] 1. http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/bikes-and-tech/uci-to-lift-ban-on-disc-brakes-in-august_366590 http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/bikes-and-tech/uci-to...