General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Unexpected problem for a tall guy. Rss Feed  
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2009-06-01 8:41 PM


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Subject: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
A ran my first tri this past weekend, and ran into a problem that never occured to me before the race.

How do I rack and unrack my bike?  At 6'5" the seatpost on my bike is approximately a mile high, and the tri-bars on the front angle up a few inches.  This all ends up making both the seat and handlebars about two inches higher than the bike rack. 

I had to lift the back end of the bike well off the ground to get the handlebars under the rack to get the bike out. This led to just about the highest T1 time in my group, and me worried about getting in everyone elses' way.

Anybody else have the same problem, or a solution?


2009-06-02 8:32 AM
in reply to: #2188074

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Master
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Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
It could be the rack for that event is shorter than others, I'm 6'3" and havent had a problem like that, but I have a pouch (spare tube, patch kit, tools etc) under my seat and I know that helps...  Do you have areo bottles or a seat pouch?  That could help give you the extra 2" under your seat.   You could also wrap a towel or something like that around the bar (secure it w/ a bungee ball cord).  another suggestion would be to build a small wheel stand for your wheel - nothing too big, using 2 1"x3"s so the total width is less than 7" and about 10" or so in length.  You dont need much, just enough to keep the bike from tipping over.  Still rest your post or stem on the rack for added stability.  Just a thought.  Shouldn't add too much clutter to transition since it will be in the back area by the rack, where your bags probably are.

Edited by ratherbesnowboarding 2009-06-02 8:36 AM
2009-06-02 2:20 PM
in reply to: #2188074

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Extreme Veteran
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Middleville, MI
Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
I am 6'5" too and have never had a problem with a bike rack.  I am not highly experienced person but I have done 3 tris and 1 du.  My tri this past Sunday the rack was high enough that my back wheel was probably a good 10" off the ground with the seat on the bar.  Sounds to me like they had poorly designed racks.
2009-06-02 6:20 PM
in reply to: #2188074

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
I'm 5' 6" and have had on occasion a similar issue. You need to angle your bike (tip it sideways) to get it hooked over. It works best if you are slow swimmer and all the bikes are gone and you are fast cyclist so you get back before your rack mates have returned.

Some nifty new racks are out there they type they use at UCI races that are on the ground and hold your bike by the wheel..maybe you will find some races that use them.
2009-06-03 6:11 AM
in reply to: #2188074


3

Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
Sounds to me like they had poorly designed racks.


Looks like that's what I'll chalk this one up to.  Since it was my first tri, I guess I'll just have to be on the lookout for the problem again at my next one in a month or so.

I'm 5' 6" and have had on occasion a similar issue.


Nice to hear someone else with the same problem, but with a much smaller bike?  Wow!  Next time I'll try to get to the race early and get the prime real estate on the end of the rack.


2009-06-04 3:51 PM
in reply to: #2188074

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by alsi071 2009-06-04 3:51 PM


2009-06-04 4:30 PM
in reply to: #2188074

Veteran
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Northern Virginia
Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
I wanted to do the seat post rack and had to rack it over the break levers due to the same issue. It sounds like your handlebars were too tall for that as well. As much as you don't want more stuff you could look into a wheel support where you just push your bike into it. Heck I even saw a kick stand at my last tri.
2009-06-05 7:00 AM
in reply to: #2188074

Extreme Veteran
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Minnetonka Beach, MN
Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
6'4" here and it is 50/50 with success for me.  (36" inseam)...  quite often I have the breaks levers hooked on instead.  I ALWAYS get to the transition area when it opens to get an end spot (if the aren't pre-assigned)...  then I can "lean" as the others mentioned. 
2009-06-05 9:59 AM
in reply to: #2188074

Expert
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Sarnia, Ontario
Subject: RE: Unexpected problem for a tall guy.
I'm 6'5" tall and have this issue.  I rack my bike using the brake levers.  Might be a bit slower in T1, but works well for T2.
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