Race numbers - pins or not?

I know a guy who uses the spray-on stuff. Works well. A bit of a pain to clean off the gluey residue though.

I use pins. I probably shouldn't, but I'm too lazy, and just use what's given to me.

Plastic pockets? Please elaborate. Do you also run your catheter up there?

I fold the number up as small as possible with the digits still visible and then use 6 pins.

Am I missing something?

Why are pins "absurd"??

ed073 said:

Am I missing something?

Why are pins "absurd"??

One, I find it extremely difficult to deal with them w/o stabbing myself. (Changing guitar strings, same thing.) I understand that this is more a statement about me than about the pins.

Two, I can't put the number on while wearing my shirt, and with the shirt off I find it extremely difficult to pin the number in such a way that it fits flat when the shirt is back on.

Three, even when put on well in most cases a pinned-on number still balloons or flutters.

jersey off, lay it flat on the ground or in back of car. Pin number securely to it at all 4 corners....leave a little "slack" that will be taken up when you are in your racing positon on the bike so it will be flush while riding.

Make sure you don't pin your pockets closed.

(NB-always pin #13 upside down if you get it)

done.

Easiest way to pin on the number is to lay your jersey over your vehicle's steering wheel. This isn't a very hard technique to master, you'll get used to it. I race every week and can put my number on easily based on where the corners mate up to the specific sponsor logo positions.

I've found its easiest to put the jersey over a pillow (also handy for post race naps on the drive home) and then pin it. Folding could get you DQed and really does make it harder for the officials to read your #... but I'm still guilty.

xcmntgeek said:

Folding could get you DQed and really does make it harder for the officials to read your #... but I'm still guilty.

As an official I really appreciate it. No matter that we have to struggle to do the scoring when numbers are hard to read off the jersey background, you look so cool with your tiny number. Remember how cool you looked the next time you're waiting around for results.

asgelle said:

As an official I really appreciate it. No matter that we have to struggle to do the scoring when numbers are hard to read off the jersey background, you look so cool with your tiny number. Remember how cool you looked the next time you're waiting around for results.

Ok, ok, I'm sorry, guilty sometimes. I've promoted and scored and I know what a pain in the a$$ it can be! But folding a little on the bottom so it'll fit better on the jersey doesn't cause any problems.

there is something a bit old fashioned about pinning on numbers and it makes a real mess of your jersey.

i'd vote for disposable self adhesive ones every time. no need to worry about handing them back either.

some have shot that suggestion down on grounds of cost, but to be honest entry fees, levies to governing bodies etc are so high as to make any potential added cost pretty insignificant.

capwater said:

Easiest way to pin on the number is to lay your jersey over your vehicle's steering wheel. This isn't a very hard technique to master, you'll get used to it. I race every week and can put my number on easily based on where the corners mate up to the specific sponsor logo positions.

What if you ride to a race?

ed073 said:

What if you ride to a race?

Stop bike, take jersey off, place on handlebars, pin number on, re-install jersey on torso and then race.

capwater said:

Stop bike, take jersey off, place on handlebars, pin number on, re-install jersey on torso and then race.

So no steering wheel?

😄

I agree pins are absurd. Yeah they work, but it is a ridiculous waste of time. Not only that but you spend money for aero wheels/frame/etc. only to have this small parachute on your back unless the pin is done perfectly. Most people just accept it since it works and there is no real other solution, but look at how archaic it is. We compete in a sport with all kinds of material science and engineering efforts trying to squeeze the last bit of performance out of the equipment, and then we attach a paper tag to our jersey with safety pins. If the promoter has a problem with the $.05 incremental cost that an adhesive number costs, please just pass the cost on to me in the entry fee, I don’t even care if you charge me $.50 and make 1000% profit for your service.

Anybody try something like this:
http://www.sews.com/embroidery/sprayadhesives/sprayadhesives.html
???

What if you get someone you trust to pin the number on for you, while you are wearing the jersey. You could also tuck the top into the pocket before pinning it to stop the wind getting underneath it.

mikesbytes said:

What if you get someone you trust to pin the number on for you, while you are wearing the jersey. You could also tuck the top into the pocket before pinning it to stop the wind getting underneath it.

yes that is what cyclists have done for 100 years, we are looking for a better way.

I started using this stuff for TT's because it was really hard to get a number to lay flat on a skinsuit with pins. Double Sided Carpet Tape, this is the bomb, it works great, doesn't leave any residue on your jersey like the spray stuff. I have used it on numbers that get used over and over again and it retains it's stickyness. After a race i just peel it off and stick the number to a piece of cardboard and use it next time. I still use 4 pins in the corners more for piece of mind than anything else, but the carpet tape works great even when sweating profusely, just make sure the jersey is dry when you put it on.

Pendejo said:

I'm curious as to how most of you attach your race numbers. Pins are absurd. I fashion my own plastic pockets with velcro tape attached. I've seen some just tape the number to their shirts. And I've seen others use a spray-on adhesive, from Monsanto, I think.

Not to be grumpy, but this is perhaps the stupidest thread I have seen at cyclingforums. Pins, absurd? Others saying it takes so long? Takes me about 60 seconds to pin on my number with 7 pins. Four at the corners, then one pin in-between each except at the bottom. It is a habit, I would use 8 but somehow I got in the habit of using 7.

I do this on the hood or the trunk of my car. Or over the handlebars if I have ridden there...but I must warn you, over my handlebars it might take a grand total of 75 seconds.

Pins are reliable too. A self adhesive - I would be concerned that my number would fall off. Plus the gunk it leaves on your jersey.

If you put the pins on correctly it puts a very tiny hole on your jersey. The rips come when guys try to take their numbers off without removing the pins. That is not the fault of the pins 😄

Put the number on yourself. It ain't that hard. Much easier than putting a tire on a rim. About the level of difficulty of, say, shifting. 🙄