Proposal 51: 3B.5.7 Repair, Change, or Replace a (Broken) Unicycle [ Revision 5 ]
Committee: 3. Road RacingSubmitted on 2025-06-24
Status: Passed on August 10, 2025
Background
This rule only refers to road racing, it does not include time-trial world records (Hour, 24hr, 100km and 100mile). Currently there is no rule covering equipment changes and assistance for time-trial records.
I propose we add a rule for time trial records so that we are consistent with Guinness rules, given the overlap we have with many riders going for both.
Proposal
Old Rule:
3B.5.7 Repair, Change, or Replace a (Broken) Unicycle
In Road Races, riders may make modifcations to their unicycles, but must be self-sufficient in this. The rider must carry all necessary parts and tools needed for the modification(s), and do all the work without any assistance. For example, a rider may change cranks but must carry the new cranks and all tools from the start of the race.
Assistance is allowed in the event of a breakdown or damage to the unicycle. Outside tools and hands-on help may assist the rider to continue, including replacing the unicycle if necessary. The Referee must confirm that the situation was unplanned and was indeed accidental. If the Referee determines otherwise and the rider used outside assistance for changes to the unicycle, the rider will be disqualifed.
The rider may continue the course on foot (walking, not running) with the broken unicycle. If the rider exits from the course, they must reenter the course at or before the point where they exited from the course. When the rider is off course, he may run or use any other form of transportation.
Any modifications made to the unicycle must still adhere to the requirements of the category that the rider is entered in. For example, if a rider broke a crank in the 24 Class 10k race, they are only allowed to install a new crank of 125 mm or longer.
New Rule:
3B.5.7 Repair, Change, or Replace a (Broken) Unicycle
1. Riders are allowed to modify or adjust their unicycle during the race. Assistance from others is permitted at any time, including tools and hands-on help.
2. Replacement of the unicycle or wheel is permitted only in the event of mechanical problems. The problem must be unintentional. A unicycle replacement must be reported to the Referee as soon as possible after the end of the race, providing proof that it wasn't planned. The Referee must confirm that the situation was unplanned and was indeed accidental.
3. Any modified (point 1) or replacement unicycle (point 2) must belong to the same category as the original, and should ideally have the same characteristics (wheel size, crank length, hub).
4. Riders may continue the course on foot (walking only) with a broken unicycle. If they leave the course, they must re-enter at or before the point where they exited. While off-course, they may run or use any form of transportation.
Body
The new rule makes it mostly consistent with Guinness, which specify that the same unicycle must be used throughout the attempt. It also allows outside assistance, which is not allowed in road racing. This is necessary for longer time-trial records, as is difficult for riders doing 100mile or 24hr records to be fully self-assisted.
References
Discussion
View DiscussionChange Log:
- Revision 5 changed by Simon JAN (29 Jul 08:54)
Revised point 2: Deleted "or damage" to simplify; emphasized the unintentional nature of the mechanical problem and the need to notify the referee.
Added a point to clarify that there should be no change in category, whether it be a modification or a replacement.
- Revision 4 changed by Simon JAN (26 Jul 03:57)
2. Replacement of the unicycle or wheel is permitted only in the event of mechanical problems or damage.
- Revision 3 changed by Simon JAN (21 Jul 03:42)
The replacement unicycle must belong to the same category as the original and should ideally have same characteristics (wheel size, crank length, hub)
- Revision 2 changed by Simon JAN (21 Jul 03:40)
simplification proposal based on discussion
- Revision 1 changed by Ken Looi (24 Jun 07:35)
Votes on this proposal:
12 out of 14 voting members have voted.
Agree: 11, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 1.