i really disagree with the UCI stance that these regulations are in place to allow cycling to stay on level ground with the ‘common man’; that people watching professional cycling should be able to easily get into the sport without needing an exotic machine. i really got into cycing around ’92, when i started college. even before then, i loved looking at the bikes professionals used, and always lusted after one. the mid 90′s were great for bicycle design…i remember seeing Chris Boardman on his Lotus Sport, and Miguel Indurain on that carbon fiber Pinarello TT bike…do you remember that one? it looked like a freakin’ space ship, with him wearing that helmet with the built in eye lenses adding to the effect. i wanted a bike like that! i wanted something that pushed technology to the brink. and after saving lots and lots of money, i ended up buying the bike i still ride today: Look KG196. it was the perfect bike for me. and i bought it not only because it was a great looking bike, but also because i admired the team that rode them, ONCE. it made me ecstatic that i had such an advanced piece of machinery…that i could power myself! just like the pros! it got me wanting to ride more and more.

adhering to design constraints, i feel, is really hurting the technology and designs that bicycles could have.