The very best UCI Illegal Saddle
This page explains why the Kort is UCI illegal and what that actually means.
Welcome to the club
You’re probably reading this because you bought our Kort saddle and found a UCI Illegal sticker pack in the box.
If not, you are still invited to learn a bit more about our very compact and very fast saddle. If you want to read about the saddle itself and its design philosophy, visit the main page here.
You’re probably reading this because you bought our Kort saddle and found a UCI Illegal sticker pack in the box.
If not, you are still invited to learn a bit more about our very compact and very fast saddle. If you want to read about the saddle itself and its design philosophy, visit the main page here.
What "UCI legal" means
The concept of “UCI legal” refers to equipment rules defined by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body of professional cycling. These rules regulate things like: frame geometry, component shapes, minimum bike weight, dimensions of some parts, including saddles.
However, these rules affect only a very small fraction of cyclists, mainly riders competing in official UCI races. For most riders they are largely irrelevant. If you are not lining up at a professional race start line, “UCI legal” is mostly a regulatory label rather than a real limitation.
The concept of “UCI legal” refers to equipment rules defined by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body of professional cycling. These rules regulate things like: frame geometry, component shapes, minimum bike weight, dimensions of some parts, including saddles.
However, these rules affect only a very small fraction of cyclists, mainly riders competing in official UCI races. For most riders they are largely irrelevant. If you are not lining up at a professional race start line, “UCI legal” is mostly a regulatory label rather than a real limitation.
The "UCI Illegal" idea
Among bike builders, mechanics, and weight weenies there is a small but well known idea called "UCI Illegal".
It started with Slovenian bike builder Aleš Arnež, who began sending UCI Illegal stickers to riders building bikes without worrying about race regulations.
Among bike builders, mechanics, and weight weenies there is a small but well known idea called "UCI Illegal".
It started with Slovenian bike builder Aleš Arnež, who began sending UCI Illegal stickers to riders building bikes without worrying about race regulations.
Oleg from Twisted Wheels, a professional bike builder and self confessed weight weenie, has built many lightweight bikes that intentionally ignore UCI restrictions.
"My builds are driven by performance and real-world comfort rather than race regulations. I’m not lining up on UCI start lines, I’m building bikes for everyday riding, and I want the freedom to use the best components available today.
The 6.8 kg limit and many other UCI constraints made sense in another era, but in 2026 they can feel more like museum rules than performance standards. Let the pros worry about compliance, commissaires, and millimetres. The rest of us can enjoy what we came here for: lightweight bikes that are fast, fun, and do exactly what they’re built for."
The 6.8 kg limit and many other UCI constraints made sense in another era, but in 2026 they can feel more like museum rules than performance standards. Let the pros worry about compliance, commissaires, and millimetres. The rest of us can enjoy what we came here for: lightweight bikes that are fast, fun, and do exactly what they’re built for."
Oleg
Twisted Wheels Youtube channel
Why Kort is UCI Illegal
UCI rules also define minimum saddle dimensions. A saddle must be at least 240 mm long. The Kort saddle is 220 mm long, which means it does not meet that requirement.
UCI rules also define minimum saddle dimensions. A saddle must be at least 240 mm long. The Kort saddle is 220 mm long, which means it does not meet that requirement.
Some manufacturers extend the tail of the saddle just to reach the official 240 mm length.
We chose not to do that.
Kort was designed for real world performance and comfort, not for rule compliance. It stays compact, functional, and honest, because performance matters more than unused millimetres.