Proposal 30: Adding standard category to time-trial records [ Revision 2 ]
Committee: Review and Update the GuidelinesSubmitted on 2025-03-29
Status: Voting from July 21, 2026 to July 30, 2026
Background
Standard class is a competitive discipline within unicycling, with the greatest participation rate at unicon, yet is not recognised in any of our time-trial records.
To ensure compliance with the new rulebook, records in the Standard category must also be kept for time trial records.
Proposal
Old Rule:
6.1 General
2. Only records on unlimited unicycles will be recognized; there will be no further subdivision into wheel classes.
New Rule:
6.1 General
2. All Time Trial Records will be recognized for standard unicycles as well as unlimited unicycles; there will be no further subdivision into wheel classes.
Body
There are two basic classes in unicycling- Standard and Unlimited.
The standard class allows performance to be compared across time/eras and competitions, whereas the unlimited category tracks progression of technology.
If you look at the evolution of the Unicycle hour record- there are incremental leaps as larger wheels became available, then the geared hub, followed by lighter 36" rims/tubes/tyres. In future we might have multiple gears, aerodynamic fairings, recumbent unicycles etc.
It is impossible to compare the athletic performance of someone who sets the record today, with a record from 25yrs ago, which defeats the purpose of record keeping.
In bicycling, they standardised their definition of a bicycle. While there are some technological improvements allowed within the rules, someone who sets the record today can compare their performance to Eddy Merckx in 1972:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_record
Currently, all our time-trial records are in the unlimited category. This makes it inequitable for riders who compete and specialise in the standard category. I propose that we have a standard 29" category for all future time-trial records greater than 10km (or time equivalant), and a standard 24" category for 10km or less.
References
Discussion
View DiscussionChange Log:
- Revision 2 changed by Jan Vocke (14 Jul 08:21)
Added concrete rule change.
- Revision 1 changed by Ken Looi (29 Mar 17:38)
Votes on this proposal:
4 out of 9 voting members have voted.