General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How to rack your bike in the transition area Rss Feed  
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2011-07-17 10:55 AM

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Expert
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Alexandria, MN
Subject: How to rack your bike in the transition area

Honestly, I did a search and couldn't find a thread about this!

I've seen it done at least 3-4 different ways during races because I've been trying to learn by observation.  There seemed to be a majority that racked it via the seat, but quite a few that racked it by the handlebars (or horns as you cool people call it).  Then this afternoon while reading through another thread, I got the feeling that there's a preferred way, and anyone that racks it otherwise is frowned upon as a nuisance.

What's the preferred method and why?  Pictures will earn you 1000 cool points.  Cool



2011-07-17 11:09 AM
in reply to: #3600223

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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
I would prefer to rack by my saddle, but most racks aren't tall enough, so I have to rack by my bullhorns/brake levers.  Sorry, no pictures.
2011-07-17 11:40 AM
in reply to: #3600223

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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
I've always hooked my nose of the saddle on the rack
2011-07-17 11:41 AM
in reply to: #3600230

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area

Sprint_DA - 2011-07-17 12:09 PM I would prefer to rack by my saddle, but most racks aren't tall enough, so I have to rack by my bullhorns/brake levers.  Sorry, no pictures.

That's funny to me.  I have the opposite problem.  I usually rack by my seat, but sometimes the front wheel doesn't touch the ground.

2011-07-17 12:05 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
By the seat is probably the 90% solution for races:




and by the seat even when you're not allowed to have any towel or shoes on the ground (B2B)
2011-07-17 2:39 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Expert
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Alexandria, MN
Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
OK, next dumb question then, when you rack by the seat, which way does your bike come out, in relation to your towel, shoes, etc.?  Is your bike set up so that your front tire/handlebars are next to you and your towel, so you pop your seat off and pull the bike out forwards?  Or is it opposite, so that you're actually backing your bike out to get going?  I would think the former, because I like to keep my helmet, glasses and a clifshot on top of my aero bars.


2011-07-17 3:29 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Master
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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
Whether you rack by the saddle or the bars, the wheel that's on the ground is supposed to be on your side of the rack.

I ride a road bike with clip-on aero bars, so I find racking by the bars complicated (plus I really don't like racking on the brake levers) so I usually rack by the nose of the saddle with front wheel facing out.

I'm tall so I do sometimes have trouble with the rack not being tall enough to pass my saddle underneath and hang by the saddle.  I have found that on pipe-style racks if you can get a spot right next to the uprights there's less dip in the crossbar.
2011-07-17 3:44 PM
in reply to: #3600272

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Master
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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area

DanielG - 2011-07-17 11:05 AM  and by the seat even when you're not allowed to have any towel or shoes on the ground (B2B)

 

What? They don't let you put your shoes on the ground? Where do you put your gear?

2011-07-17 3:57 PM
in reply to: #3600455

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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
abqtj - 2011-07-17 4:44 PM

DanielG - 2011-07-17 11:05 AM  and by the seat even when you're not allowed to have any towel or shoes on the ground (B2B)

 

What? They don't let you put your shoes on the ground? Where do you put your gear?




Helmet, bike shoes, long sleeved shirt (it was 35 degrees when we started the bike), tights, aero helmet, glasses and gloves in here:

2011-07-17 4:50 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area

I rack the nose of the seat and set up transition by the front wheel.  As was mentioned I put my helmet and sunglasses on my bars.  I pull my bike out to the front.  Can't imagine trying to "back" it out.

But, my friend I raced with this weekend racks the nose like I do but sets up at the rear tire and backs his bike out.

I guess there is no right or wrong, just what works for you.

enjoy

Duane

2011-07-17 6:15 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Champion
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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area
Rack by the saddle when I setup transition as shown in this picture:



Rack by the brake levers when I return to transition (so my rear wheel would be down on my side of the rack.

Shane


2011-07-17 6:52 PM
in reply to: #3600223

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Pro
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Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area

 

Once during the bike leg of a HIM relay, I could NOT understand why my previously comfy couch of a bike fit was now KILLING my girly parts.

I had racked my bike by the seat and I guess things were not quite tight enough and my seat ended up with an upwards angle. OUCH!!

I have racked by the brakes ever since.........

2011-07-17 7:39 PM
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West Michigan
Subject: RE: How to rack your bike in the transition area

Every triathlon I've participated in, you had to rack by the saddle.  This past Saturday, they were announcing constantly, but you still had people racking by the horns.  Took up too much room so the volunteers asked them to change to saddle. 

I can't imagine racking by the horns or brakes.  Racking by the saddle nose or the back of saddle (I have Specialized saddle) is so much easier.

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