The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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Discs, are they okay or not?
Dear VeloNews,
I've seen allusions to a lifting of the ban on disc brakes for `cross bikes in a couple of places, (most recently the article by Matt Pacocha), but is this for real? I've Googled and looked on the UCI website, but have found nothing. While I have lots of better things to worry about with my cross, there is a likelihood of racing in Quebec, where they hew to the letter of the UCI's laws. Can you confirm or point me in the direction of the real ruling or notification of the lifting of the ban?
Sheldon Miller
Craftsbury Common, VermontSheldon, you and Google are right and Matt jumped the gun a bit. Matt wrote a quick follow-up to Peter Van den Abeele, the UCI's Coordinateur Sportif of Cyclo-cross and mountain-bike issues, and got back a quick answer: "Disc brakes are not allowed in cyclo-cross races as by article 1.3.025 of Part 1 General Organization of Cycling as a sport of the UCI Rule Rules."Bummer, eh? - EditorBut don't ignore disks just because the UCI does
Editors,
I'm sure this is the umpteenth e-mail you've received on this subject, but rightfully so.Matt Pacocha's recent article on cyclo-cross brakes conspicuously leaves out any serious discussion of disc brakes, with only a passing reference to them by one of the quoted racers, Adam Craig. Notably, Craig makes the point that disc brakes are the best available technology for this application, but the article goes no further.Discs have the type of stopping power that Pacocha bemoaned was lacking in traditional setups. More important, disc brakes have dramatically better modulation for negotiating tight turns with the hands in the drops and one finger on the lever. Much of the article dealt with the mud clearance issue. With discs, this is a non-issue, as the caliper and rotor are far removed from the tire and mud. This has the added benefit of improved braking performance in the mud.The principal reason disc brakes are not seeing wider application in cross races is because of the UCI's ridiculous rule banning disc brakes in elite level races. For your readers that are chasing UCI points, your article covered available technology. However, for the vast majority of your readers that are showing up for amateur races across the country, the story is incomplete. I hope to see a follow up article on disc brake technologies, including Avid's cable-actuated system, but especially hydraulic systems on the horizon.Cheers,
Justin Baxter
Portland, OregonThat darn international conspiracy
Dear Sirs,
The attempt by the United Nations to worm its way into the sports programs of every country via a supposed anti-doping issue is most un-welcomed. The UN, since its inception in 1949, has accomplished little but to exacerbate conflicts, prolong discord and waste mega-amounts of money. The clear and obvious agenda of the UN to become a dominating world government entity is rampant. This incessant intrusion into virtually every aspect of our daily lives continues by jumping from one popular issue to another, with little positive results, except to demand more money from the rich member nations.The UCI and the IOC, along with WADA, are completely capable of policing and punishing cheaters within their own members. This supposed “treaty” will accomplish nothing except to increase, incrementally, the UN’s power to interfere with the free promotion and participation of individuals, clubs, teams and countries in the enjoyment of bicycle racing as well as all other sports.WE do not need the United Nations involvement in the daily activities of our lives, whether local, national or international. Say “NO!” to the UN and to those elitists that think they are especially endowed to rule.
Sincerely,
Bob Weidler
Hutchinson, KansasU.S. ... errrr...uhhh... UCI out of the UN!!!! - EditorRepeat until caught, then lie
Dear editors,
I see that the Belgian triathlete Rutger Beke has decided to sue WADA over the EPO test that he failed twice already. This figures to be just about right and fits in perfectly with today's athletic standards. This reminds me of the modern athlete's mantra first unveiled by former U.S. and Canadian Nordic Ski Coach, Marty Hall. Mr. Hall has had many years of up close and personal experience on the World Cup Nordic circuit and is a staunch anti-doping crusader. He saw first hand the transformation of the sport of Nordic skiing in the 80's and 90's when he quipped in a Canadian article, "if at first you don't succeed, cheat. Repeat until caught. Then lie."How true, and sad, it is. It makes me think about my own situation in sports. Sometimes I'm sad at the laziness of my youth, however, in hindsight, I thank destiny for my under-achieving ways because it kept me out of the highest levels of sport that I now view as a complete joke. I truly feel sorry for those individuals talented enough to have to face this problem day in and day out. Long live recreational athletics where health, fitness, and fun are the goals and victory is just a state of mind.
Mike Trecker
Aspen, ColoradoYou can do much without that boost
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to Doug Yoder's simple minded philosophy on doping and the sport of cycling. In his letter on 10/17/05 (See "Monday's mailbag") Mr. Yoder contends that, since the sport is soooo difficult, Tour riders should be expected to use illegal and dangerous drugs to make it possible for them to put on a show for us. Although I am tempted to insult Mr. Yoder's intelligence for the fallacies in his reasoning, instead I will point out that "regular" working stiffs all over the world achieve outrageous feats of cycling without the benefits of drugs. For example:Josh Tostado setting a new record in this years Montezuma's Revenge (156 miles and 32,000 feet of climbing in 24 hours of straight riding over 14,000 foot peaks!)Anthony Colby and Jari Kirkland winning the solo races at the resent 24 Hours of Moab - or any 24 Hour solo finisher for that matter.How about Mike Curiak who holds the record on the Continental Divide Trail Race (Canada - Mexico - border to border in 16 Days 57 minutes)?I am confident in saying that none of these riders use illegal drugs.The point is, it's all possible without drugs. Drugs only give one rider an advantage over another. Without drugs the sport would actually be more exciting and less predictable. Without drugs, the race would go on and there would still be a winner, guaranteed.
Brian Riepe
Gunnison, ColoradoRoberto was in Belmont?
Dear Velo,
Hey, I recognize the Wheelworks store in Belmont, Massachusetts, where the photo of Roberto Heras was taken. When was he there?That shop is awesome. My in-laws happen to live a few blocks away. My wife never has a problem convincing me to make the two hour trip down to see her parents, since I can go to "Mecca" while we're down there!
Thom Villars
Norwich, VermontYes, it is Wheelworks and Heras was there in September. He was intown doing a bit of wind tunnel work nearby and we hope to have a smallupdate on that from our tech guy Lennard Zinn. - Editor

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The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.