The 45-SouthWest, Krakow-Tarifa will be our first adventure with the sub category “Vintage Bikes”. Bicycles with electronic shifting become more and more popular and the leading riders in this years races used it. The argument for using electronic shifting: it makes shifting easier and less power needed in the hands. So should electronic shifting already be counted as electronic support in the drivetrain? We get often told, it’s supporting the hands with shifting.
In the contrast, this year 2 riders finished the Iberica-Traversa with quite old bikes, with rim brakes and mechanical shifting.
The idea was in the head since a while, let’s introduce the category “Vintage Bikes”. So for the 45-SouthWest 2025 we make it real.
What are the requirements to get listed in the category “Vintage Bikes”:
- All transmissions from the rider to any component of the bike must be mechanical without any electronic support.
- Mechanical brake system. No hydraulic brakes. No electronic brakes.
- Mechanical shifting system by wire. No electronic shifting.
- The only electronic system allowed: a dynamo to produce electricity for the light, the navigation device, a phone or a camera.
- The bike must be fully functional and comply with road traffic regulations.
Riders of a vintage bike will still also be classified on the main ranking.
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