Proposal 51: 3B.5.7 Repair, Change, or Replace a (Broken) Unicycle [ Revision 1 ]
Committee: 3. Road RacingSubmitted on 2025-06-24
Status: Review from July 08, 2025 to July 16, 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
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
The old rule above, but add;
For time-trial records, outside assistance for repairs and adjustment of equipment is allowed, but the rider must use the same unicycle for the duration of the record attempt. Parts of the unicycle may be replaced only if damaged during the record attempt. Damage is defined as equipment failure which may impact on the rider's performance or safety. An exception is made for crank changes, which can be made without damage sustained.
In event of the unicycle being damaged beyond repair, a replacement unicycle may be used, but the wheelset must be exchanged like-for-like. That is, a 29" unicycle must replaced with a 29" unicycle, and a geared 36" replaced with a geared 36" unicycle with the same gearbox ratio.
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.