General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best way to rack a tall bike? Rss Feed  
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2010-05-27 2:32 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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Rockville, MD
Subject: Best way to rack a tall bike?
I noticed at my last (very first) race that the bar on the bike rack was too low for my seat to go under.

Are there any taller riders out there who have this issue? If so, what solutions have you come up with for racking your bike quickly and getting out of transition? 


2010-05-27 2:34 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Champion
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
Rack by the brake levers.  I always do this in T2 and if the rack is too low for my seat to easily go under, will rack by the levers when setting up transition as well.

Shane
2010-05-27 2:40 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Lethbridge, Alberta
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
I've also lifted the seat over the bar so that the bar rests on the under seat pouch up against the seat post. It's not quite as stable there but, as long as the racks aren't too crowded, the bike usually doesn't get bumped much and it's been OK so far.
2010-05-27 2:41 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Expert
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Chenequa WI
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
I found that a small bike bag attached to seat helps my bike to fit many of the low racks, but if not, then I also rack by brake levers.

If its open racking try to get there early enough to score an end.
2010-05-27 2:42 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Master
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Cypress, CA
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

Definitely feel your pain.  I ride a road bike and while racking on the brake levers works, I hate doing it especially in T2 as I'm always worried I'm going to bung up the shifters.

I've got a small bike stand similar to the one pictured below that I've been thinking about bringing with me, or else trying to figure out some other clever method or device for using a standard tri rack.

2010-05-27 2:44 PM
in reply to: #2886769

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

Wouldn't it just be easier if we embraced kick stands?  I went to a bike polo event last weekend and laughed at the parking strewn with bikes.  If we just got over ourselves, and accepted stands, life would be a lot easier.



2010-05-27 2:49 PM
in reply to: #2886780

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Lethbridge, Alberta
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-27 1:44 PM

Wouldn't it just be easier if we embraced kick stands?  I went to a bike polo event last weekend and laughed at the parking strewn with bikes.  If we just got over ourselves, and accepted stands, life would be a lot easier.


Besides the extra weight, the bikes take up more space when they're leaning over to one side. I use a kick stand on my commuter bike but it just wouldn't go over for races.
2010-05-27 2:52 PM
in reply to: #2886780

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Extreme Veteran
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Rockville, MD
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-27 3:44 PM

Wouldn't it just be easier if we embraced kick stands?  I went to a bike polo event last weekend and laughed at the parking strewn with bikes.  If we just got over ourselves, and accepted stands, life would be a lot easier.



When I bought my P2 I was joking with the guy about having a kickstand put on it. He told me a couple had come in the week before and seriously insisted that they install kickstands on the matching Pinarello Dogmas they bought!

2010-05-27 3:42 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Master
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Mt Pleasant, SC
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
Hello

Tall guy with a big bike.

I have racked by the handle bars/break levers for my first 3 races.  Sunday I just tipped my bike on its side a little so it would fit under the bar and then racked by the seat.   No real difference in time getting it off the rack.  When I returned to T-2 I racked by handle bars.

Kevin
2010-05-27 3:53 PM
in reply to: #2886797

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

I would think in this day and age someone would come up with a light, low profile, strong kickstand.  No way would it take up less room than the entire width of someone's handlebars on the rack.  That takes up a LOT of room.

I don't have a solution for you tall folks, but using the brake levers on the rack is a problem for your neighbors.

Micawber - 2010-05-27 2:49 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-27 1:44 PM

Wouldn't it just be easier if we embraced kick stands?  I went to a bike polo event last weekend and laughed at the parking strewn with bikes.  If we just got over ourselves, and accepted stands, life would be a lot easier.

Besides the extra weight, the bikes take up more space when they're leaning over to one side. I use a kick stand on my commuter bike but it just wouldn't go over for races.

2010-05-27 8:18 PM
in reply to: #2886725

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Pro
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Houston
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
I have this issue as well and the last tri I was at we had to rack under the front of the seat, that is the only way they would let us rack.  Then I have to turn my bike sideways to get it under and I am hitting other bikes, it just stinks.


2010-05-27 8:44 PM
in reply to: #2886780

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Master
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Cypress, CA
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-27 12:44 PM

Wouldn't it just be easier if we embraced kick stands?  I went to a bike polo event last weekend and laughed at the parking strewn with bikes.  If we just got over ourselves, and accepted stands, life would be a lot easier.

Yeah, 'cause then we could all lust after the cool new $400 ti-tipped carbon fiber aero kickstands...

2010-05-28 6:23 AM
in reply to: #2886725

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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
Until someone comes up with a taller rack I'll be racking by brake levers.  It's the only way I can do it.  My seat is usually about 6 inches over the bar at the top of the rack. 


Kickstands are disgusting.
2010-05-28 6:29 AM
in reply to: #2886993

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Champion
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-27 5:53 PM

I don't have a solution for you tall folks, but using the brake levers on the rack is a problem for your neighbors.



If the race has sufficient rack space, racking by the levers shouldn't be an issue.  If it doesn't, rack space is going to be an issue whether bikes are racked by the levers or by the seat.

Shane
2010-05-28 6:32 AM
in reply to: #2886725

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Extreme Veteran
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Mendenhall, MS
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
They make a hook that attaches to the back of your seat and your bike just hangs there. I have noticed them on the last two tri's i have done. But i cant find them in the shops or on the internet, i have been looking to buy one.
2010-05-28 7:09 AM
in reply to: #2886814

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Master
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Rural Ontario
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
When I bought my P2 I was joking with the guy about having a kickstand put on it. He told me a couple had come in the week before and seriously insisted that they install kickstands on the matching Pinarello Dogmas they bought!


Is there no decency left? Why not put a basket and streamers on the handlebars?


2010-05-28 8:19 AM
in reply to: #2887935

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Extreme Veteran
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Halifax, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
mgalanter - 2010-05-28 9:09 AM
When I bought my P2 I was joking with the guy about having a kickstand put on it. He told me a couple had come in the week before and seriously insisted that they install kickstands on the matching Pinarello Dogmas they bought!


Is there no decency left? Why not put a basket and streamers on the handlebars?



uh, well....



 but I can't figure out what to attach the streamers to

Edited by blairrob 2010-05-28 8:19 AM
2010-05-28 9:22 AM
in reply to: #2888113

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

I swear I don't have any affiliation with a company that sells kickstands, but this is hilarious and exactly why I don't get the kickstand hate.  Look at all of the other crap we're willing to attach to our bikes! 

I will admit that when I bought my first roadie I also asked where my kickstand was and they politely explained that was uncool.    We have bike stands that you hook near the bottom bracket to store our bikes upright in the garage.  Its the only option when you have 10+ bikes to store and don't want to move all of them to get one out.  A little impractical for a race, but very cool and I don't have to suffer the disgusting indecency of having a stand attached to my bike.  I just love going to the start of a group ride and finding a bush/tree/car/building/portapottie to rest my bike against. 

</rant>

There's really no winning this issue.  If the stands get much taller, my small bike dangles.  Then you have to hope your rackmates are not jerks and don't leave their bikes in your spot, etc, ad infinitum.

Even at Rev3, they had better bike racks that you simply rested your tire in.  The problem was they were placed too closely together and you would have to lift your bike over the others if you were on the inside.  Although this was otherwise a very good system and would work if placed correctly.

blairrob - 2010-05-28 8:19 AM
mgalanter - 2010-05-28 9:09 AM
When I bought my P2 I was joking with the guy about having a kickstand put on it. He told me a couple had come in the week before and seriously insisted that they install kickstands on the matching Pinarello Dogmas they bought!


Is there no decency left? Why not put a basket and streamers on the handlebars?



uh, well....



 but I can't figure out what to attach the streamers to

2010-05-28 9:26 AM
in reply to: #2886725

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Pro
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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?

I have a tall bike as well and have a Carbon Wing rear-mount water bottle cage on the back of my seat so I just rest that on top of the rack bar.

2010-05-28 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2888304

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
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Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-28 9:22 AM

Even at Rev3, they had better bike racks that you simply rested your tire in.  The problem was they were placed too closely together and you would have to lift your bike over the others if you were on the inside.  Although this was otherwise a very good system and would work if placed correctly.



Picture of the racks at Rev3, of which she speaks. Not the first time I've seen these, maybe it's a growing trend...



Edited by the bear 2010-05-28 9:34 AM




(Rev3 Rack.jpg)



Attachments
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Rev3 Rack.jpg (26KB - 3 downloads)
2010-05-28 11:22 AM
in reply to: #2888349

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Expert
721
500100100
Chenequa WI
Subject: RE: Best way to rack a tall bike?
the bear - 2010-05-28 9:33 AM
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-28 9:22 AM

Even at Rev3, they had better bike racks that you simply rested your tire in.  The problem was they were placed too closely together and you would have to lift your bike over the others if you were on the inside.  Although this was otherwise a very good system and would work if placed correctly.



Picture of the racks at Rev3, of which she speaks. Not the first time I've seen these, maybe it's a growing trend...



Memphis In May use these (except theirs are wooden).  Very nice to see when you walk into transition first thing in the morning.


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best way to rack a tall bike? Rss Feed