What makes the Little 500 bikes so special?

In the beginning of each Little 500 season, each team is issued two bikes from the IU Student Foundation to use throughout training and the competitions. Although the brand of the bike may change from year to year, this year’s Schwinn bikes follow the same single-gear design that has been used in every Little 500.

According to Little 500 Race Director Pam Loebig, the single-gear bike is used to level the playing field for all riders in terms of equipment.

“The goal is to provide riders with the exact same equipment and bikes so the race is ultimately decided by the riders on the bike, not the bikes themselves,” Loebig said. “By using a single-gear bike, riders can’t shift to different gears to get an advantage. The only way you can go faster is by pedaling faster.”

While some of the differences between the Little 500 bike and a normal mountain bike are noticeable, here’s a breakdown of some of the things you may have missed about the bikes.

Handlebars
Little 500 bikes must use drop-shaped handlebars. The drop bar style is standard in most cycling races and provides a better grip for riders when they choose to stand up on the bike.

Grip
While the handlebar grip is provided for each Little 500 bike, each team is allowed to put its own tape on the bikes. Many teams choose to change the color of their grip based on their team colors.
 
Rims
Unlike many modern bikes that use 20 to 24-hole spokes, the Little 500 bike has stuck to the traditional 36-hole spoke rim. While the decision to use the traditional rim is based on keeping the bikes consistent from year to year, the 36-spoke rim provides the bike with more durability, as it must be made of either steel or aluminum.

Tires
On race day, one spill could cost a team a chance at the title, which makes the traction from tires crucial. Each Little 500 bike is equipped with tires that are wider and heavier than those on the normal racing or mountain bike. The extra tire width helps give the bikes more traction.

frames
The frame of the Little 500 bikes is made of aluminum and cannot be altered by the riders. The sturdy aluminum makeup provides the bike with a durability that is needed throughout the season.

brakes
As opposed to mountain bikes and other bike styles, the Little 500 bike does not utilize hand breaks. Instead, a coaster break — much like the brakes on many childhood bikes — ­requires the cyclists to pedal backward in order to skid to a stop. The coaster break is useful during exchanges because it allows the rider to stand up and pass the bike off easily.

single gear
One of the biggest misconceptions of Little 500 bikes is that they have no gears. The truth is the bikes have only one gear. The single-gear bike is used to level the playing field for the competitors. While multi-gear bikes allow the rider to adjust the tension on the chain to go faster, Little 500 cyclists must rely on good old-fashioned leg strength to speed up.