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The original Olympics were competed in the nude. I'm not saying we need to go that far, but the Olympic committee has a standard pool for all the swimmers, and
by flerchin 2y ago
The original Olympics were competed in the nude. I'm not saying we need to go that far, but the Olympic committee has a standard pool for all the swimmers, and they could provide standard bikes for all the cyclists.
- ubermonkey 2y agoThere are too many variables in bike fit, user preference, etc., for this to be viable.
- Gravityloss 2y agoYeah the different frame geometries make it hard. Another alternative would be if the transmission was provided by the officials and would be fitted to the bike and sealed before start but that could also spell problems. In javelin and pole vaulting the athletes bring their own equipment. Has anyone ever cheated there? Interesting possibilities...
- moralestapia 2y agoHuh? But that's a solved problem. Bikes for all those needs exist.
- LeifCarrotson 2y ago"User preference" does not need to be a part of the sport. I'm sure some athletes would prefer a more ergonomic discus or shorter hurdles in track and field, maybe the gymnasts would like a slightly different geometry or spring characteristic for the bars or vault, but they don't get that choice. I understand that people need differently sized bikes because they have different heights and slightly different ratios of leg/torso/arm lengths, but I can easily imagine having three or four standardized frames with adjustable seatposts, seat rails, and stem length, with a selection of various length stems and cranks. Just put the same wheels, the same mech, the same bars, and everything on every bike and see which rider is fastest. Call it an "Olympic bike".
- ubermonkey 2y agoI don't think you understand cycling. Gear preference in cycling isn't the same as wanting to change the rules of track and field or gymnastics. The Olympics are a one-off that happens infrequently, but still draws from the same set of world-class riders as the rest of the racing season (a season that happens ever year, and contains far more important events). There's zero chance what you suggest will ever take root.
- InitialLastName 2y agoNot just that, but a lot of the money in cycling comes from bicycle (+bike component) manufacturers in the form of sponsorship and endorsements. Outside of a NASCAR-like pseudo-standardization, going to a standardized bike from one manufacturer for the highest-visibility events would throw that money out the window (and cause conflicts where the biggest riders are riding bikes from a different manufacturer than the one that funds the rest of their activities).
- LeifCarrotson 2y agoI understand that's the way it is, and I understand the power/money systems are set up in a way that no one realistically has the ability to make the change happen, but that's not intrinsic to the sport, it's just something that's grown up organically around it.
- freejazz 2y agoTell us what is intrinsic to the sport, as you apparently seem to know.
- ubermonkey 2y agoAgain, it does not appear you understand cycling.
- Scoundreller 2y ago> There's zero chance what you suggest will ever take root. I’ve always wanted to represent my country in the olympics, and maybe one day I will on a standard Olympics bicycle!
- xadhominemx 2y agoNot really. Cycling teams all use the same bicycle. You could adapt to 99% of desired customizations with a menu of saddles, handlebars, and tires.
- cfn 2y agoOlympic sailing classes such as the Laser have been doing that for years, they could do that for cycling as long as they provided an array of sizes.
- Aperocky 2y ago> standard pool for all the swimmers That's the same as standard course for all cyclist, which happens today. The equivalence in swimming for organizer provided bikes is providing standard swim suits to all swimmers, that has not happened.
- havblue 2y agoStandardized bikes would certainly drive away sponsors and I don't think we could see that happening.