Question about racking your bike in T1
Always wanted to ask this question but kept forgetting...
I've never raced a large WTC-type event, only "local" races, so I don't know how they have the bike racks set up in T1. But at the races I have done, there are just metal tube "sawhorses". A lot of people rack their bikes by putting the nose of the saddle over the metal bar (see photo below). So, presumably, they lift their bike off the metal bar, and then just pull it out from under the bar. But for those of us over 6', our bike seats don't fit under that bar without leaning the bike to the side. The problem is that their are always other bikes racked right next to mine, so I can't lean the bike over too far or I would knock over someone else's bike (the cardinal sin of T1!). So how do you taller guys deal with this problem?
John
Comments
Me on the right:
I usually see many of each method being used..
(EDIT: I'm on a roadie - the above suggestion about the aero bars would be the equivalent on a tri bike)
(SECOND EDIT: I forgot about the room factor that Al mentions below. I was thinking more about local races - and solving the problem of racking via the seat), instead of an IM where there are 3k bikes.)
John's right, it can be an issue. At some races (Canada, Kona, others??) there are "cement forms" on the ground, in which you place your rear wheel - lift an go for everyone, best system I've seen. Other LARGE US races (CDA, Moo, TX, etc) have the metal sawhorses, but not nearly enough room to rack by the handlebars, so everyone has to rack by the saddle. Even my little 650 c bike set for my 5'10" frame requires tilting to the side to get out. Bikes are racked by race number. The way it's managed, even number bikes (300, 302, 304, 3tc) are racked pointing one way (say, East), and odd numbers the other (e.g.,West). So there ends up being enough room to avoid knocking bikes off the rack when you pull and tilt to get it out.
Alternatively, I've seen some dudes rack not by the nose of the saddle, but by the rear, or maybe the bottle cages behind the saddle. Then it's just lift and go, but it seems less stable.
Now for the opinion form the true expert. 6-6.
As below, I like the brake lever/base bar hanging option. Volunteers often argue with this or force it under the rack when one is not around. I believe the rules say the majority of the bike just has to be on the side of the rack from which you get your number.
I'm>6 ft tall like you. I rack the bike from the rear of the saddle. Combined with a behind the saddle bottle cage I don't find this too unstable. Mounting from the saddle nose for those of us with a higher stack is definitely more problematic.