Youth gear restrictions

Cycling Weakly

Following Richard's recent explanation & demonstration of youth gear restrictions, here are a few real examples of bikes that have had their gearing set up in the last few weeks to comply. If you're about to set up a bike for youth racing, bear in mind that the precise roll-out depends on:-

- the tyre being used (e.g. just because a tyre is marked as "23mm" doesn't mean it's the same width or height as another tyre marked as the same size).
- the rim width (as this affects the profile of the tyre)
- the tyre pressure (this affects the circumference)
- making sure the freehub has just clicked to engage properly before rolling the bike
- how well you measure it!

Islabikes Luath 26" set up for Under 10 (Youth D) circuit racing

- maximum gear restriction is 5.40m

- standard Islabikes own-brand 26" rim fitted with Kenda Kontender 1" tyre at 100 psi

- swap the standard cassette for a Shimano HG50 8-speed 13 - 26 teeth cassette - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1864

- keep the single chainring already fitted as standard

- leave all sprockets available for use (no need to screw down the rear derailleur's limit screws to block off any sprockets)

- using top gear the bike rolls out to 5.37m

Cycling Weakly

Islabikes Luath 700c Small set up for Under 12 (Youth C) circuit racing

- maximum gear restriction is 6.05m

- standard Islabikes own-brand 700c rim fitted with Continental Gator Skin 23mm tyre at 100 psi

- bike has standard fitted 11-32 teeth cassette

- screw down the front derailleur's high limit screw so that only the inner 34 teeth chainring can be used

- screw down the rear derailleur so that the smallest sprocket (11 teeth) cannot be used

- the highest remaining gear is 34x12

- I can’t remember the precise roll out distance, but it’s just within the maximum allowed

Cycling Weakly

Bike with 700c wheels and a compact chainset set up for Under 14 (Youth circuit racing

- maximum gear restriction is 6.45m

- 700c rim fitted with Continental Gator Skin 23mm tyre at 100 psi

- bike starts off fitted with a FSA Gossamer compact 50/34 teeth chainset with 100 BCD (this refers to the chainring fitment compatibility with the crank arm)

- bike starts off with a Shimano 10 speed 11-28 teeth cassette

- replace the 50 teeth chainring with a 46 teeth Stronglight Dural 110 BCD chainring - http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b2s149p293

- replace cassette with a BBB BCS-10S 14-25 teeth 10 speed Shimano-compatible cassette - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-bcs-10s-10-speed-cassette/

- fit the front derailleur lower down the seat tube so that it is the correct distance from the new (smaller) 46 teeth chainring which has a smaller diameter than the original 50 teeth ring. Check it changes correctly between the two chainrings

- screw down the rear derailleur’s limit screw so that the smallest 14 teeth sprocket cannot be used

- the remaining top gear of 46x15 rolls out just inside the maximum gear restriction, and nearly all gears can still be used.

Jon.c

for a u16-a youth A the road requirements are a 52x16, i have a 16up cassette for sale as i am a junior now-under 18. the cassette is a BBB 10 speed which fits on a shimano free hub, it is compatible and made for shimano as i rode with shimano. Only a year old if any one wants to buy it, £30, its £44 new . .