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Best way to wear race number on bike

kurshingkurshing
in Racing Forum 🏎

 What is the best way to attach my race number for the bike section of the race?  I have traditionally taken a lot of time getting my bike number on in an aerodynamic fashion, but always just wear a race belt and turn the number to the back like you are supposed to for the bike.  Is there a better way to do it?  

I have to imagine that number flapping in the wind isn't the greatest aerodynamic idea.

Comments

  • matthewbwardmatthewbward
    I'm interested in this too. When I used to bike race, flattening the number was an art. We used 8 pins, wadded it up, and got it as flat as possible using a buddy to pin it on. In tris, I do what you do. Ideally, you'd stuff it under your jersey but the rule says it has to be visible. There was an article in Bicycling a few years ago with some MIT cyclists who made the comment that the penalty from a bad race number placement is greater than the benefit from an aero front wheel.
  • CarlCarl

    I wear a race belt and just turn it so it's on the back. Very simple, get out of swim, get transition bag, go to changing tent, put on belt, shoes, helmet and go. I have everything else I need in a ziplock bag-like sunglasses, etc.  I take the Baggie with me and get things out as I bike.  

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    Race belt. Cheap and versatile.
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    Posted By Carl Noftsger on 12 May 2012 02:22 PM

    I wear a race belt and just turn it so it's on the back. Very simple, get out of swim, get transition bag, go to changing tent, put on belt, shoes, helmet and go. I have everything else I need in a ziplock bag-like sunglasses, etc.  I take the Baggie with me and get things out as I bike.  



    Race belt turned around backwards.

  • kurshingkurshing
    I do the race belt too...I just thought someone might have a creative solution to keep it from flapping in the wind...or does it matter even?
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    If you fold the number up and over the top of the race belt, put a really good crease on it, and wear it so the number is against your jersey and the race belt is between the fold, it won't flap around.

    Steve Cramer had a good post a few years ago showing how to do it. Think it had pics too. I'l see if I can find it - may have Nemo find it for me image
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    From Al in the wiki:

    Race number (bib): Unless the bib is printed on paper, you can attache it to a race belt and wear it under your wet suit. Punch or cut holes the proper distance apart to match the belt’s eyelets; reinforce them with tape or punch-hole reinforcements. Make the holes in the bib large enough so the belt snaps are engaging each other, not trying to push thru the bib material. Fold the bib once around the belt so it flaps less in the wind, and is less likely to tear off. Put an extra belt and/or bib in the T1 or T2 bag in case disaster strikes.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Credit where it's due - that wiki post is a compilation of EN members' suggestions for how to manage transitions, and that particular segment is courtesy of Matt Ancona (for those who don't know, Mancona won 25-29 AG @ IM Wisconsin in 2009.)

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    I do what Tom does then add some electircal tape to top of number attatching it to top of race belt and keeping air from going between number and belt. Make sure belt is tight and it conforms to your body.

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    I always tape up my race number bib. I put a double layer of clear packing tape over the bib hole so the bib doesn't tear. I then put one layer on each of the four sides of the bib with the tape folded over to to stick to both the front and back.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy: The inside-out racebelt that Penny described, and a strip of 2-sided tape horizontal along the bottom of the number, where i then peel off the tape backing and stick the number to wherever it will be sitting on my clothes.
  • NortonNorton
    I hate the flapping number. I just tuck the thing (on a race belt) under my shorts; I've never been penalized for this.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    One other thing... as long as the race number is made of that fibrous "material" rather than paper, you can wear it on your race belt, folded over (a la Mancona) under your wetsuit to save a few seconds. Yes, not many, but what the heck...one fewer thing to worry about.

    At the IMs I've done, they have given you two numbers. I wear one under the wetsuit on a race belt and leave one in my T1 (yes, T1) bag JUST IN CASE something bad something happens to my number while swimming. Never needed the spare so far.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    like Williiam said, as long as it's not the pure paper material, I wear mine under the wettie, pre-crumpled and then flattened, on a race belt, facing backwards. That what there's one less thing to do in T1, such as put it on and turn it around. And one less thing to do in T2 as putting it on.

    Most races REQUIRE the race number be on by the bike leg, so one less thing to do is better. Less transition times, which a lot of people do not focus on for shaving seconds off.
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