"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Race numbers

Where could I find something like this to hold race #'s? I googled, but I am not sure what they are called.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/probikes/index.php?id=/photos/2008/tech/probikes/scott_nydam_BMC_sl0108/Scott_Nydam_BMC_Pro_Machine_SLC01_stays

The race will provide you what you need. Inmy experience, USCF races just have the rider pin a number on.

I've done some centuries, and cyclo sportifs that were timed, and they wanted numbers on the bikes, mostly for selling pics. So in that case they want the number on the bike where they want it, and they'll provide the hardware.

So unless you're looking to buy as a race promoter, its not something you're going to need.

Yeah, they're picky about where the numbers are placed. They review the finishes on camera (a lot of the time) and the guy running the video system doesn't want to have to hunt all over your body/bike for your number. You may get DQ'd for not having your number where they tell you to put it.

The only time I've ever had to put a number on my frame, the promoter had zip ties for attaching the number to the top tube/head tube junction.

Most pro teams' mechanics make their number holder brackets from scratch, tailored to the frame/components they're using. A thin strip of 1/4" or 1/8" sheet metal, a couple holes, and you're done.

Yeah, I'd make the one in the photo out of an aluminum can, then blow it with some rattle-can paint.

Yeah, I'd make the one in the photo out of an aluminum can, then blow it with some rattle-can paint.

Perhaps crimping over the edges, and sanding or filing anything sharp down?

That might be a custom one-off. I've never seen those for sale anywhere. You could probably make one yourself by bending a small metal band. File the edges though.

Perhaps crimping over the edges, and sanding or filing anything sharp down?

The whole thing would be double thickness, with folded sides and the seam up the middle.

Corners filed a bit :)

The whole thing would be double thickness, with folded sides and the seam up the middle.

Corners filed a bit :)

Ok, I was just mentally cringing on the though of exposed beer can edges.

You really think a beer can would be stiff enough? I mean, I go pretty fast...

You really think a beer can would be stiff enough? I mean, I go pretty fast...

Make sure it sideways, and add some dimples to manage the airflow.

I've used coke cans to fabricate parts for recovery systems on water rockets that go over 100 mph. How fast are you? :)

Zipties work pretty damn well. Lot less cool though.

There seems to be no end to the bike engineering that can be done with beer cans.

That thing on the pro's bike looks like a rack mounting piece. I'm sure you can find similar pieces of metal in bike shops, hardware stores, etc.

Most big races that require racers to use frame numbers will have acceptable locations - under top tube in front, side of top/down tube, and seat post (last for really small frames).

cdr

The only frame numbers I've encountered were stickers. Then they leave goo on the paint. :(

Zipties work pretty damn well. Lot less cool though.

There seems to be no end to the bike engineering that can be done with beer cans.

Indeed.

The numbers are called race plates. Some of the local races in Utah (http://utahcritseries.com/) have their own point/tracking system for the entire season if you're a plate holder. The plates do cost money to buy, but discount your entry fees at the weekly crits.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/digitoast/bike/2008plate.jpg

There seems to be no end to the bike engineering that can be done with beer cans.

C'dale even makes frames out of them.

The numbers are called race plates. Some of the local races in Utah (http://utahcritseries.com/) have their own point/tracking system for the entire season if you're a plate holder. The plates do cost money to buy, but discount your entry fees at the weekly crits.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/digitoast/bike/2008plate.jpg

Were you out at RMR on Saturday, digitoast?

There seems to be no end to the bike engineering that can be done with beer cans.

Beer comes in bottles, thank you very much.

FYI, the number holder from Nydam's bike in the OP is actually carbon fiber, not metal.

see this photo (http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/probikes/index.php?id=/photos/2008/tech/probikes/scott_nydam_BMC_sl0108/Scott_Nydam_BMC_Pro_Machine_SLC01_number)

FYI, the number holder from Nydam's bike in the OP is actually carbon fiber, not metal.

Interesting. I can't figure out what that thing used to be. Maybe it's a custom job, but it was trimmed up pretty roughly. I'll bet my AL one would be lighter ;)

Sorry, should have been clearer. Seems like there is more of a move to do this and the zip tie method, while simple and affective, scratches the crap of of seatposts. While this is OCP of me, I really don't care because CF seatposts are not cheap and I like to take care of my bike. Also, our club is going to promote a couple of crits this year and if there is an inexpensive way to get something like this, I thought it would be a nice touch.

Beer comes in bottles, thank you very much.

I'm a college student who takes his homebrewed beers to competitions. You have to learn to appreciate the whole spectrum. Except Beer 30.

Sorry, should have been clearer. Seems like there is more of a move to do this and the zip tie method, while simple and affective, scratches the crap of of seatposts. While this is OCP of me, I really don't care because CF seatposts are not cheap and I like to take care of my bike. Also, our club is going to promote a couple of crits this year and if there is an inexpensive way to get something like this, I thought it would be a nice touch.

Another option would be to make a flat fin out of a chunk of milk jug and run your seat binder bolt through it. It will want to pivot up and down, but you can drill the bolt hole such that it's resting against your seat tube when bolted. Then you can just zip-tie or bolt the number to the fin.

Hey, maybe you could just put the seat binder bolt through the fin?

Actually, you might be able to make a holder similar to the OP photo using the handle of a milk jug. Just split the top of it, and it can sandwich the number plate.

Good luck painting milk jug plastic though :lol: Maybe find another liquid from the auto parts store or home depot, that's made of black plastic, and pour that stuff into a milk jug so you can use the black...

I'm a college student who takes his homebrewed beers to competitions. You have to learn to appreciate the whole spectrum. Except Beer 30.

You have much to learn, grasshopper.

Were you out at RMR on Saturday, digitoast?

I was :). Soloist Team / Utah Kit. Got dropped maybe 18min or so into the race though... sucks riding with a bum ankle. Lost three months of training due to a sprain and I messed it up again while running last Thursday. But overall, happy with the way things are progressing. I was the fool in the Cyclesmith kit that got dropped second lap into the race two weeks ago.:D

Stick it in your seatpost clamp between the plastic parts with the bolt going through. Add zip tie to top through another hole if required. Pretty commonly done around here where we are issued frame numbers as well as jersey numbers.

Another option would be to make a flat fin out of a chunk of milk jug and run your seat binder bolt through it. It will want to pivot up and down, but you can drill the bolt hole such that it's resting against your seat tube when bolted. Then you can just zip-tie or bolt the number to the fin.

Hey, maybe you could just put the seat binder bolt through the fin?

Actually, you might be able to make a holder similar to the OP photo using the handle of a milk jug. Just split the top of it, and it can sandwich the number plate.

Good luck painting milk jug plastic though :lol: Maybe find another liquid from the auto parts store or home depot, that's made of black plastic, and pour that stuff into a milk jug so you can use the black...

Sounds like something NASA would do ;)

Any luck on the beer can idea? Think I might be trying this myself tonight. Not that I am racing or anything, just like the idea of having my rider number back there, than on my frame at the triangle, plus I like to be different! Hehe!

So I tried the soda can idea. Didn't work. My father-in-law, being a contractor, had some metal pieces laying around. I'll try to get some pics tonight and post them of the number holders I made, and used for the MS City to Shore in Jersey this weekend. It worked pretty well, was pretty easy to make (as long as you have the tools), and easy to instal. It is definately not for the weight weenies, but it gets the job done. People thought I was trying to use my rider number as a fender with the rain, but then realized what it was. Got some complements on it.

Beer comes in bottles, thank you very much.

no.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c399/WillworkforWag/keg.jpg

When you register with my state bike racing association (WA), you get issued with 2 pin-on numbers and a plastic frame number for the whole season. I found that with a neoprene washer on either side of the number, the plastic clip that came with my rear blinky light worked perfectly to hold the frame number. Just pop out the light and 15 seconds with a screwdriver had the frame number mounted pro-style.

So here are some pics of my creation.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/1989%20Raleigh%20Technium%20PRE/NumberHolde003.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/1989%20Raleigh%20Technium%20PRE/NumberHolde004.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/KjColumbo/1989%20Raleigh%20Technium%20PRE/NumberHolde002.jpg

Not to dig this thread back up, but I made a new version. Although this one worked well, the holes didn't always line up with the number. The new version has a slot down the middle that you can bolt it where ever you need to. The first pic is a short version I have mounted on my 5000. The second picture is a taller version I made for a local college team and local bike shop as a prototype.
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I just used a P-clamp. Stiff enough, but still pliable. Hole is conveniently about the size of brake bolt. Took off the rubber, bent with some pliers.

Used a thumbscrew, wingnut, and 2 large surface washers so it's easy on/off without tools.

ghetto-fab for < $5

http://www.touringcyclist.com/img/g/16556a.jpg
http://www.traderscity.com/board/userpix21/20361-thumb-screw-1.jpg
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50140355/Wing_Nuts.jpg

When you register with my state bike racing association (WA), you get issued with 2 pin-on numbers and a plastic frame number for the whole season. I found that with a neoprene washer on either side of the number, the plastic clip that came with my rear blinky light worked perfectly to hold the frame number. Just pop out the light and 15 seconds with a screwdriver had the frame number mounted pro-style.

this one

that said, our shop is fabricating us custom bracket thingies that hold the numbers more securely... the numbers held on by a single point tend to break off while the bikes are in transit on bike carriers etc.

There's a WSBA (Washington USAC affiliate) racer who makes number brackets and sells them:

http://northwestvelo.com/articles/14/nathan-s-race-plate-brackets-for-sale