Cycling Conduct: Bar End Plugs
This week’s rule is 5.11i, better known as the “bar-end rule.”
One of the things that USAT officials look for in transition is handlebars that are open, or missing a plug on the ends. The plugs that stop-up the open ends of the bars are called bar-end plugs and are installed to prevent serious injury in the case of a fall.
Open-ended handlebars can puncture the abdomen in a crash, with deadly results. Accordingly, we require all bar ends to be solidly plugged. Be sure that your bar ends are plugged before you enter transition.
Here’s the rule:
5.11i. Handlebars and stem must be fashioned to prevent any danger. All handlebar ends must be solidly plugged to lessen the possibility of injury.
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