"Life Time has decided to outlaw drop-bar mountain bikes at both the Big Sugar and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB races for 2026, with that states, "All competitors must use flat or riser-style handlebars. This rule will be enforced during pre-race inspections and on course." And if you ask me, that makes sense, seeing as the Life Time Leadville 100 MTB race is a mountain bike race."
"In 2025, we saw plenty of drop-bar MTBs line up for the start of the Leadville 100. Zach Calton, Dylan Johnson, Melisa Rollins, and the men's winner, Keegan Swenson, were all riding mountain bikes with curly bars clamped into the stems - but it was still very much the minority. In fact, Kate Courtney won the women's category on traditional flat bars, although she found some extra aero by using the fork crown as support for a super-tucked position."
"With this new rule, will we see riders getting clever to work around it, or will the athletes looking for the podium spots accept the changes and settle for the simple togs or bar ends that are still permitted? The current restrictions on clip-on extensions and aerobars still allow for togs, but they must be 2 inches or less in length."
Life Time has banned drop-bar mountain bikes at Big Sugar and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB for 2026, mandating flat or riser handlebars for all competitors. The rule will be enforced during pre-race inspections and on-course. 2025 saw several riders start on drop-bar MTBs, including men's winner Keegan Swenson, while Kate Courtney won the women's race on traditional flat bars. The Leadville course includes almost 35 miles of paved road and largely smooth rolling remaining terrain, which enabled hybrid XC/gravel setups to gain aerodynamic advantage. Clip-on extensions and aerobars remain restricted; togs are permitted but limited to two inches.
Read at BikeMag
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