What bikes and wheels are allowed?
Rule- South Africa
- Cycling South Africa
- Road cycling
- Racing licence
- UCI regulations
- All ages
- 2026
- Riders
Under section 5 of the Cycling SA Road Cycling Handbook 2026:
- Bikes: unless the competition format specifically allows otherwise, events are limited to road and time trial bikes and equipment that meet the UCI Part 1 technical rules.
- Time trial bikes and equipment are not allowed in road races, and not allowed in time trials for U15 and younger.
- Mountain bikes, BMX and paracycling cycles are allowed in road races.
- Wheels must be on the UCI's List of Approved Wheels.
- Rim depth: from 1 January 2026, the maximum rim depth in mass-start road races under UCI rules is 65 mm, to reduce crosswind effects and overall speeds. Youth riders' wheels may be no deeper than 50 mm.
- Handlebar ends must be plugged, not just covered with tape, and other projections protected as far as possible.
- Gears: gear checks have been removed for all age groups.
Updated 22 Oct 2026