CLIPS TO BE BANNED FOR UNDER 12s (Rumour)

[Hearnie]

It is hard for some kids who come from another style of cycling. My 9yr old daughter came from MTB so riding clipped is natural for her. She lacks confidence and power riding flats. At this age telling her to go unclipped would probably turn her back to MTB.

[jaythyn]

My boys practice and train on flats race on clips, did you see how many kids in challenge class at Denmark where on flats??  ummmm

[GT Interceptor]

My 7yr old boy nags me for clips all the time but until I feel his bike skills are up to scratch he isn't getting them.

Much easier looping out on flats than clips.

[GT Interceptor]

nearly as good as the sprockets not getting plated!!!

That rags me too!

[cassandra]

great idea, it will make kids develop their skills first.  The amount of kids doing clip lifts over jumps is not only ugly but dangerous!! I hope they bring it in

couldn't have said it better myself!! - I was at a training day few years back for the little ones, and there was only 1 boy with clips - he couldn't control himself or clip out when he needed to. numerous occasions he went over like a sack of crap and nearly took us all out with him. DEF a kid that shouldn't have had clips!!

[just rollin]

Shanaze Reade didn't start riding clips till she was something like 17 and look at the results from the Europeans at worlds they absolutely dominated I do not see any real problem with it I personally think it will develop kids skills much fast than the way it is now and dont get me started on the kids that keep falling off there bikes on the gate or when they try to stop cause they can not clip out in time.

cheers Robbie

[cassandra]

and dont get me started on the kids that keep falling off there bikes on the gate or when they try to stop cause they can not clip out in time.

cheers Robbie

...because of this they end up knocking over or hurting other riders. Not fair!!

[dugga]

Anything that provides entertainment and amusement for the spectators should be encouraged.....

[Stiff Little Fingers]

While being nailed into you"re pedals at such a young age wonders how the developing body is developing correctly .... Mmmmmm just a thought.
An even Playing Field would be to age limit wheel size!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bmxbandit]

If you want to age limit wheel size you would also need to run weight divisions within ages.  The kids who stay on 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 have an advantage over those on 1.5+ size wheels anyway in terms of the way they roll and the weight.

[Mr Ex Speaker]

How about roll out for ages then, cant go higher or lower.
Cheers

[Substance]

like most I would assume,
I stongly believe that not so much an age limit but a skills limit should be enforced,
not just little Jonny saw another kid his age or younger use them so he wants them,

or look it as a years of racing not just an age other wise a 12 year old first week in can get clips with no skills and still fail to develope the skills required,

so if the rider has obtained the skills to ride with them let them,

as for "How about roll out for ages then, cant go higher or lower" who would set this standard?
I know it would disadvantage plenty as I have a boy who likes to spin like a lunatic all the time & the other who wants the harder gear and pedal as little as possible
same weight 2 years different in age

at the end of the day, really the perent must be the parent and make the descission based on fact of skills achieved not cave in, to stop the pesting

[Psykopath]

How about roll out for ages then, cant go higher or lower.
Cheers

Cycling Australia mandate (upper) rollout limits for juniors:
Junior Under 19 = 7.93 metres
Junior Under 17 = 6.50 metres
Junior Under 15 = 6.00 metres
Junior Under 13 = 5.50 metres
Junior Under 11 = 5.50 metres

http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=9497

[first3087]

We race velodrome and they use a roll out. Definately taught my kid how to spin and has improved her bmx out of sight. She can pedal the whole track hard and still push it down the last straight, best training tool!!!

[Matty#65]

When I first Started Racing i was always told learn everything there is to know about BMX (Jumping, Manualling, Balancing, Snapping and even back in the day slingshoting) and then go on to clips to improve on everything you have learnt. I have seen plenty of 8 year olds jumping straight on to clips and they can even bunny hop on the SPOT! let alone being able to bunny hop on to a gutter or do a 4 metre double.

But i will admit i would never go back on to flats, I hate riding around the track unclipped and (i know this sounds weird) i have even run clips on my street bike and going dirt jumping haha

I think its up to the rider themselves, If they look confident on the bike and they can do all the skills that are needed in our great sport of ours let them try them, if they like them and they help them go faster keep them, If they hate them and would rather use flats and ride in flats.
I think banning them wouldnt be such a good idea.