MLB says Yankees’ new “torpedo bats” are legal and likely coming

A similar feel is pro cycling and the UCI. Cycling is much cheaper to innovate and test, so the UCI is constantly and aggressively banning new things. Unfortunately consumer bikes generally follow the UCI trends so we miss out on improvements, but the sport retains its “purity”. Very important though - the fastest approach in a Tour de France stage would be a carbon fiber recumbent for the flat sections, then switching to a super light (not aero) bike for large climbs, then switching to a heavier and super aero bike for descents.

Other easy tech that was banned is seats with a lip on the back, so you could push your butt up against it to drive more power. And the “puppy paws” handlebar position - more aero but banned outside of time trials.

I find the road cycling arms race really fascinating too, especially for tech focused on measurement rather than performance. See the 2021 ban on diabetic-style glucose monitors during races [1], the recent restriction of carbon monoxide-based hemoglobin testing [2,3], and the possible upcoming ban on breath sensors during races [4].

[1] https://www.bikeradar.com/news/uci-bans-supersapiens [2] https://www.uci.org/pressrelease/the-uci-bans-repeated-inhal... [3] https://www.bicycling.com/news/a61677020/carbon-monoxide-reb... [4] https://archive.ph/XMrVg

On the other hand, because there's a minimum weight for bikes, and frames and wheels are too light now, we get cool tech like motorized derailers and disc brakes