Equipment
Racing bicycles used for criteriums are typically no different than those used in other mass-start road events. However, some criterium racers will choose bicycles with:
- a wheelbase shortened as much as possible, for increased turning ability, with the shortest chainstays possible, and a slightly shortened top tube (often causing some toe overlap with the front wheel on certain frame sizes).
- forks with increased rake to reduce trail. Bikes with reduced trail handle more responsively, albeit at the cost of stability.
- slightly shorter cranks (167.5-170 mm), often slightly higher bottom bracket (+10 mm) to facilitate pedaling through turns without hitting or scraping the pedals on the ground.
- Aerodynamic wheels. Crits are high speed events with pro races often averaging up to 50 km/h (31 mph), making aerodynamics a large factor, even in the pack.
Read more about this topic: Criterium
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