Youth Gear Restrictions: A Guide for Riders and Parents
This guide aims to provide information and practical guidance on youth gear restrictions
Why have gear restrictions?
There can be huge difference in size and strength between youths of similar ages. If a bigger rider is strong enough to race with a bigger gear (the equivilant of changing from 1st to 2nd in a car) they’ll be putting the smaller riders at a big disadvantage as they may struggle to turn over the bigger gear so they’re stuck in 1st. The restrictions force all of that age group to use the same gear so creates a more level playing field.
It also help to reduce the risk of overuse injuries and avoid strength imbalances in young riders as they’ll not be trying to use a bigger gear that is unsuitable for them. It will also help develop a good pedalling technique.
In practise when you come to buy a bike you can ask the owner what gears it has fitted, you can then calculate the length using a gear chart to see if they’re suitable or whether you have to change the chainring (more expensive) and/or sprocket (cheap!).
WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS?
The maximum gear restriction is the distance the bike travels in a straight line through one full revolution of the cranks. These measurements came into effect in 2025, they were slightly stricter before then.
| Category | Length (metres) | Suggested Combination |
| Youth A (under 16) | 7.18 | 50t chainring, 15t sprocket |
| Youth B (under 14) | 6.73 | 50t chainring, 16t sprocket |
| Youth C (under 12) | 6.34 | 50t chainring, 17t sprocket |
| Youth D (under 10) | No Restriction | |
| Youth E (under 8) | No Restriction |
Using the suggested combination should put you safely below the limit. You *can* try using different combinations to get as close to the limit as you can but when your bike is checked (and it will be when you race) and you are found to be over the limit you wll be disqualified.
British Cycling say “Please note that the sprocket and chain ring combination cannot be used in isolation to assess gear size. The absolute measure for gear restriction is the distance travelled in one complete revolution of the cranks.”
They’re saying that even if you use their suggested combination (above) you still need to double-check by doing a rollout and a rollout is how it’ll be measured at an event.
Performing a roll out
- Ensure your tyres are pumped up to the pressure you’ll race at.
- Make a mark to use as your start position.
- Position the bike at the starting point on the rollout, ensure that the crank is in bottom dead centre position and aligned with the mark.
- Roll the bike backwards in a straight line.
- Stop the bike once the crank has completed a full revolution and is back at bottom dead centre – mark the position.
- Measure the distance between the two marks – that’s the rollout distance.