The basics - only vintage steel road racing bicycles built in or before 1999, with down tube shifters, and pedals with toe clips and straps, are allowed to be ridden on the CLASSIC and HERO routes Eroica South Africa event.
Traditionally Eroica events only allow pre-1987 bicycles, but they have made a special concession because of the scarcity of older bicycles in South Africa. As for clothing and gear, please consider the approximate age of your bicycle, and dress accordingly in vintage kit - wool jerseys, period correct shoes, aluminium water bottles etc. if appropriate. For more information, please read below or get in touch with us.
1 - If you ride a pre-1987 racing bicycle…
All road racing bicycles built in 1987 or earlier, both with gears and without gears, as those built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, are considered. These bicycles most likely have a steel frame, but other types of rare frames are permitted, such as the aluminium frames built by Alan and Vitus with screwed or glued joints, and the Exxon Graftek frames of the late 1970s with carbon tubes glued to aluminium lugs.
Regarding the components the bicycles should comply with the following general guidelines:
a) more recent bikes with gears and derailleurs - such as Simplex, Huret, Campagnolo, Zeus, Shimano, Suntour, etc. - must have shift levers on the down tube of the frame; exceptions include pre-1980 non-indexed bar-end gear shifters and rod/hand manual operated front derailleurs;
b) pedals should be with toe clips and straps or, for older bikes, original vintage pedals - quick release clip-less pedals are not allowed;
c) the brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars (referred to as non-aero brake levers), and not under the bar tape (cables can pass inside the frame);
d) older geared bicycles should have original shifters such as Cambio Corsa, Cambio Paris Roubaix, Cambio Vittoria Margherita, etc.;
e) wheels must have at least 32 spokes laced to a low profile rim (20mm depth or less, except for the wooden rims), and the rims must be of either steel, aluminium or wood;
f) both tubular tyres and clinchers with inner tubes are allowed;
g) we invite participants to fit saddles from the same period of their bicycles, or a vintage model of modern production such as Brooks leather saddles, Cinelli replicas, San Marco, etc.;
h) the changing of gear ratios are allowed due to the difficulty of the ride;
i) there are no particular rules on the type of brakes used as long as they are from a similar period to the bicycle, and that they work efficiently for safety reasons.
2 - If you ride a pre-1999 racing bicycle (a special South African category)…
All road racing bicycles built in 1999 or earlier, both with gears and without gears, are considered.
Regarding the components the bicycles should comply with the following general guidelines:
a) bicycles must have shift levers on the down tube of the frame; or bar-end gear shifters;
b) pedals should be with toe clips and straps - quick release clip-less pedals are not allowed;
c) the brake cables can pass under the handlebar tape (referred to as ‘aero brake levers’), along the handlebars;
d) older geared bicycles should have original shifters such as Cambio Corsa, Cambio Paris Roubaix, Cambio Vittoria Margherita, etc.;
e) wheels must have at least 32 spokes laced to a low profile rim;
f) both tubular tyres and clinchers with inner tubes are allowed;
g) we invite participants to fit saddles from the same period of their bicycles, or a vintage model of modern production such as Brooks leather saddles, Cinelli replicas, San Marco, etc.;
h) the changing of gear ratios are allowed due to the difficulty of the ride;
i) there are no particular rules on the type of brakes used as long as they are from a similar period to the bicycle, and that they work efficiently for safety reasons.
3 - Older road racing bicycles of the early 1900s with single gear or flip-flop rear hubs, or fixed gear bicycles, don’t need to comply with all of the above criteria as long as they have their original components.
4 -More recently produced steel road racing bicycles built in a vintage style may be used, but only if they are assembled using vintage components or replicated parts similar to the original as described above. In particular if the bikes are inspired by the design of road racing bicycles of the 1970s and 1980s, they must comply with the 3 fundamental rules (a,b,c) regarding shift levers, toe clips and straps, and brake cables.
5 - Participants with disabilities may request special considerations in terms of their bicycles at the time of registration for the event or earlier. Please get in touch.
6 - Other types of vintage bicycles will be admitted on the shortest route only, such as postman’s bikes, general working bicycles, leisure bicycles, etc. as long as they were built in 1987 or earlier.
7 - No mountain bikes, cyclo cross bikes or time trial bikes are allowed to ride in the Eroica event.
8 - Any registered cyclist who arrives at the start line, or is found on the course with a bicycle that does not conform to the rules and regulations of the event will be disqualified immediately.
9 - Clothing and gear…
Participants are strongly encouraged to wear vintage or vintage-style cycling kit, such as wool jerseys and shorts, and to avoid wearing modern technical gear in a visible way. Consider leather shoes, appropriate gloves, cycling caps and eyewear of the day. When it comes to choosing your gear - pumps, patch kits, water bottles etc. - please consider the age of your bicycle, and select period correct accessories. We invite everyone to wear a helmet - vintage or modern - in the interest of safety.
FOR NOVA
1. Only gravel bikes with drop handlebars will be allowed on the route. No suspension forks will be allowed.
2. NO MOUNTAIN BIKES or MODERN CARBON / ALUMINIUM ROAD BIKES ALLOWED.
3. All participants must ride with their Strava on to record their entire ride.
