Worried about whether you will be able to ride your custom-built cyclocross bikes in UCI races this season? The UCI and The Framebuilders’ Collective feel your pain, and have signed an agreement to give small builders a discount on the application fees for approving their frames under the new UCI frame approval requirements in effect for 2011.
Richard Sachs, a TFC founding member, has gone through this process already and via the TFC, is lending his experience with the process to make the approval process easier and 20% cheaper for his fellow builders.
Frame builders do not need to be a member of the Collective to participate. Not racing UCI races but want a sticker as well? There’s always this option.
Full press release below.
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UCI signed agreement with The Framebuilders’ Collective (TFC) to reduce costs for small builders
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has signed an agreement with The Framebuilders’ Collective (TFC) which will facilitate and reduce the costs to small manufacturers of the approval procedure for frames and forks.
With the help of the TFC agreement with the UCI, the Crisp cyclocross steeds may be one of the next frames to be approved by the UCI.
A small builder is defined as a manufacturer who produces frames and forks to measure. TFC is a group of professional craftspeople dedicated to the frame building trade. Based in the United States, it currently has 14 members. Under the agreement, TFC offers to undertake the administrative tasks of the simplified procedure for small builders of tubular models.
Small builders will be able to submit plans of their models to TFC, which will then contact the UCI on their behalf and send them the documents via a system of secure file exchange. As a result of the TFC’s involvement in this procedure, the UCI will grant a 20% discount on the cost to small builders.
Carl Strong, Chairman of TFC’s Board of Directors explains: “Independent framebuilders wear a lot of hats as both craftsman and businessman. The Framebuilders’ Collective understands the limited time that framebuilders have to devote to all of the duties their trade requires of them. The UCI and TFC have developed an arrangement that will help streamline and simplify the UCI process for not only the Framebuilders’ Collective members but any other bespoke framebuilders that wish to participate through the Framebuilders’ Collective portal. We are very excited about our new partnership with the UCI.”
Don Ferris, member of The Framebuilders’ Collective Board of Directors and Administrator of the UCI Homologation Program within the American organisation echoes. “The Framebuilders’ Collective is pleased to have partnered with the UCI to simplify the process and reduce the cost for bespoke & custom builders wishing to comply with the UCI Homologation Program.”
Richard Sachs frames are UCI approved, putting his cyclocross team at ease. But you will have to wait many years for yours.
The approval procedure for frames and forks came into effect on 1st January 2011 and results in the granting of a label certifying that new models comply with the requirements of the UCI Regulations. The cost of the simplified procedure amounts to 500 Swiss Francs.
This approval is obligatory for all new models of frames and forks used in competition by licensed riders. Additional information is available in the “Approval Protocol for frames and forks” section on the “Equipment” page of the UCI website.
Please also visit www.framebuilderscollective.org for more information.
