Youth Road Racing

Youth Age Groupings

Correct for 2017 road season:

Youth E Under 8 born in 2009 or later
Until 31 December of year in which 8th birthday falls

Youth D Under 10 born in 2007 or 2008
From 1 January of year in which 9th birthday falls to 31 December of year in which 10th birthday falls

Youth C Under 12 born in 2005 or 2006
From 1 January of year in which 11th birthday falls to 31 December of year in which 12th birthday falls

Youth B Under 14 born in 2003 or 2004
From 1 January of year in which 13th birthday falls to 31 December of year in which 14th birthday falls (or upgraded from Youth C).

Youth A Under 16 born in 2001 or 2002
From 1 January of year in which 15th birthday falls to 31 December of year in which 16th birthday falls (or upgraded from Youth B).

Junior born in 1999 or 2000
From 1 January of year in which 17th birthday falls to 31 December of year in which 18th birthday falls.

Youth Gear Restrictions

A number of different largest chain ring/smallest sprocket combinations will achieve the maximum allowable gear in your age category – some get slightly nearer to the limit than others.

The favoured Youth A combination tends to be 52×16 but the cheapest is probably 39×12 as most bikes are fitted with this combination as standard. You can of course ‘lock off’ your gears so you can’t get into the smallest sprockets (maybe the 11) or maybe the big chain ring but this will restrict the number of gears at your disposal eg. it might turn a 20 speed bike into an 8 speed if you lock off one chain ring and the two smallest sprockets, it may also get you too far under the limit which will put you at a disadvantage e.g. 53×17 would put at about 6.56 metres but 53×16 would roll out at about 7.00m and this is slightly too big for a Youth A rider.

Of course things like tyre size will affect the roll out and some testing is more exacting that others, the best is done in a channel so the roll out is measured in a straight line rather than a wonky one.

Before a race the Commissaire will perform a roll out test with your bike in its highest gear, only if it passes this test will you be allowed to race. Don’t change your gears after testing as they will test a few riders again after the finish.

  BRITISH CYCLING GEAR LIMITS
  CATEGORY GEAR LIMIT EXAMPLE FOR 700c WHEELS and a 23mm tyre.
Age category for the year. Roll out metres Approx Gear Inches Chain ring/Sprocket combinations that work.
Youth E  Under  8 at 1st Jan 5.10 metres 64 inch 39×16 / 41×17 / 43×18 / 48×19
Youth D  Under 10 at 1st Jan 5.40 metres 68 inch 41×16 / 43×17 / 46×18 / 49×19
Youth C  Under 12 at 1st Jan 6.05 metres 76 inch 39×14 / 42×15 / 45×16 / 48×17
Youth B  Under 14 at 1st Jan 6.45 metres 80 inch 39×13 / 42×14 / 45×15 / 48 x 16 / 51×17
Youth A  Under 16 at 1st Jan 6.93 metres 88 inch 39×12 / 42×13 / 47×15 / 52×16
Junior    Under 18 at 1st Jan 7.93 metres 100 inch 52×14

Youth Wheel Restrictions

British Cycling updated their Equipment regulations in 2015 to reduce the cost, perceived or real, of competing. For Youth B and younger riders, rim depth will be regulated for circuit events to a maximum of 35mm with a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 40 spokes.

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