The governing body suggests that most riders have adapted well, but some are clearly worse off.
It’s been four months now since the UCI introduced a controversial new rule that governs the width of riders’ handlebars. First announced in June 2025 and implemented on January 1 this year, the new rules state that handlebars for road (and CX) mass-start events must measure at least 400 mm outside to outside, that brake hoods must be at least 280 mm apart (inside to inside), and that bars may flare by no more than 65 mm per side.
The ultimate goal, according to the UCI, is to improve rider safety. By stifling an emerging trend towards angled-in handlebar levers, the hope is that riders won’t be able to get as aero as they’ve been trying to, therefore reducing speeds in the peloton and, hopefully, increasing safety. Improved rider control has also been cited as a potential benefit of wider handlebars.
But ever since the law change was first announced, there’s been considerable pushback from the cycling community; from riders, teams, manufacturers, and more.
Many, including Escape’s own Ronan Mc Laughlin, questioned whether there was any evidence to show that changing handlebar widths would have any impact on safety. Others highlighted that the new regulation unfairly imparts a blanket rule over all riders, regardless of gender or size. The smallest women in the peloton would have to comply with the same width requirements as the tallest men.
And so, four months after the new rule came in, what impact has it had in the women’s peloton? For smaller riders in particular, there have been some undesirable consequences.
One WorldTour professional who spoke to Escape on the condition of anonymity – let’s call her Rider A – said that the new regulations forced her to increase the distance between her brake levers by more than 2 cm. She previously had her hoods angled slightly inwards to help with reach. Updating her setup to fit the new requirements has led to several issues.
“Nothing else has changed on my bike, yet this has caused me so many problems with my back and numbness in my hands since the rule enforcement, which has been super frustrating,” she said.
Rider A is not alone.
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