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2012-07-31 1:51 PM

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Chicago
Subject: PSA on bike racking in transition

I don't want to come off as 'that guy' that is going to try to inform a bunch of people that are mostly more experienced than me, but I think this might be a small issue that could stand to have some light shed on it.  Just my attempt to help out.

If you're a taller person, if you rack your bike by the nose of the bike, it's very possible that when you take it off the rack, if you then try to pull your bike forward, the seat will not fit underneath the rack....most racks seem to be about 2 inches too short for above average seat post height.  You will then be stuck trying to lean your bike to one side or another in an attempt to get it under the rack, which can raise all kinds of hell in transition, especially if your neighbors bikes are still parked next to you.

I've had this happen to me in a couple races, have seen it happen to others in races, and at my most recent race, got almost my whole rack to check their bikes and most ended up adjusting their racking strategy.

I think the best way if you have a taller seat that won't fit under the rack is to hang your bike by the rear of the seat, then just pull it straight off from there and you're on your way.  Problem with that is most of us have saddle bags there...I just rack mine right on top of the saddle bag.

I hope this isn't "lessons of the obvious"...I felt stupid when I did it during a race and had to fight to get my bike underneath the rack, but considering how many guys in my row did not appear to consider this point of logistics in my last race, maybe it's not so obvious and this is a worthwhile PSA.

 

cliffs: check to see if your bike can fit under the rack before racking it



Edited by duder5189 2012-07-31 1:54 PM


2012-07-31 1:54 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Chicago
Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
double post


Edited by duder5189 2012-07-31 1:55 PM
2012-07-31 2:34 PM
in reply to: #4339522

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Elite
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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
This Dude will abide....
2012-07-31 2:42 PM
in reply to: #4339609

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Champion
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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

That's a good suggestion and not obvious.    Good post!  

Also, don't rack by your handlebars/brakes.   Just not enough room for everyone.

And ferpetessake, put your bike back in it's original spot. Not in my spot, resting on top of my stuff.  Seriously.

2012-07-31 2:46 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Pro
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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
In certain races, you don't even need to be tall to have this issue... in my latest race, my seat would not fit under the rack and I'm only 5'8"... Luckily, it was a smaller race so plenty of available rack space between bikes.
2012-07-31 2:47 PM
in reply to: #4339628

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
BikerGrrrl - 2012-07-31 3:42 PM

That's a good suggestion and not obvious.    Good post!  

Also, don't rack by your handlebars/brakes.   Just not enough room for everyone.

And ferpetessake, put your bike back in it's original spot. Not in my spot, resting on top of my stuff.  Seriously.

This^^^^^

 



2012-07-31 2:52 PM
in reply to: #4339642

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Chicago
Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

audiojan - 2012-07-31 2:46 PM In certain races, you don't even need to be tall to have this issue... in my latest race, my seat would not fit under the rack and I'm only 5'8"... Luckily, it was a smaller race so plenty of available rack space between bikes.

Yeah, and I just remembered...one of the times my bike stuck, I could not get the seat under the rack, and I also could not get my aerobar pads under...so the bike was literally stuck from both ends.  I had to tip the rear end way up in the air to get the bar pads low enough for me to get my bike out.  Nightmare.

2012-07-31 2:53 PM
in reply to: #4339628

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
BikerGrrrl - 2012-07-31 2:42 PM

 

And ferpetessake,

I have never seen that word typed out before! I have wanted to use it but didn't know how to spell it! Thank you!!

2012-07-31 2:53 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

I'm only 5'-10" and I had that problem at IMCdA this year.  What I found is I could easily "wheelie" the bike out of the rack.  Drop the front of seat off the bar and then rotate the bike up into a wheelie almost on end, the seat cleared under the bar and off I went.

If you have an aerobottle with open top, it's not going to work so well. :-(

 

 

2012-07-31 3:20 PM
in reply to: #4339662

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
tamason - 2012-07-31 2:53 PM

I'm only 5'-10" and I had that problem at IMCdA this year.  What I found is I could easily "wheelie" the bike out of the rack.  Drop the front of seat off the bar and then rotate the bike up into a wheelie almost on end, the seat cleared under the bar and off I went.

If you have an aerobottle with open top, it's not going to work so well. :-

This has become my preferred method too, as it also accomodates rear-mounted water bottles (which can make the "rear-of-seat" option unworkable).

2012-07-31 3:33 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

Good advice. Before I knew this I racked my bike by the nose on a rack that was just... short. The seat wouldn't fit under the bar, the handlebars wouldn't fit under the bar. I had to lean the bike to one side to get it out, but I was the first on my rack out of the water. So I ended up with my handlebars tangled in the bike on one side, and my rear skewer tangled in the bike on the other side. Quite a mess and what should have been a 1 minute transition turned into almost 4 minutes.

Since then I have been lucky enough to have racks that are so tall my whole bike almost hangs in the air. 



2012-07-31 4:39 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

My first tri T1 was in the sand.  The whole bike rack sunk down into the sand so even my short bike was stuck.

Last weekend's tri the rack was so tall my bike didn't even touch the ground.  Seemed weird just hangin' there.

And, yeah, put your bike back in your own spot.

2012-07-31 6:02 PM
in reply to: #4339643

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
sungirl919 - 2012-07-31 3:47 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-07-31 3:42 PM

That's a good suggestion and not obvious.    Good post!  

Also, don't rack by your handlebars/brakes.   Just not enough room for everyone.

And ferpetessake, put your bike back in it's original spot. Not in my spot, resting on top of my stuff.  Seriously.

This^^^^^

 

I gave my friend a real tongue clucking, head shaking, finger wagging, talking to for not re-racking his bike. Even his girlfriend shouted at him, using his FULL NAME, to "PICK UP YOUR BIKE!"...as he ran away from the bike he just dumped.

OP: good advice, I don't think it's that obvious, especially if it's your first tri. I didn't realize just how high off the ground I'd have to lift my xs bike to rack it, but hey, I got lots of clearance under my bike for my stuff.

2012-07-31 6:44 PM
in reply to: #4339729

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
Ershk - 2012-07-31 3:20 PM
tamason - 2012-07-31 2:53 PM

I'm only 5'-10" and I had that problem at IMCdA this year.  What I found is I could easily "wheelie" the bike out of the rack.  Drop the front of seat off the bar and then rotate the bike up into a wheelie almost on end, the seat cleared under the bar and off I went.

If you have an aerobottle with open top, it's not going to work so well. :-

This has become my preferred method too, as it also accomodates rear-mounted water bottles (which can make the "rear-of-seat" option unworkable).

x3.  My bike is a 61cm.  I have to do the wheelie thing to get it in and out.  I'm not sure it would stay if I just put the back of the seat on.

This is just another way tall people are discriminated against!

2012-07-31 7:11 PM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
Good point. Another added bonus to my Adamo seat. Racking on top of your bag works well for you? I've avoided buying a rear bag for this reason.
2012-08-01 7:11 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
My bike will fall off over on most racks if I attempt to rack by the seat.  Both tires are on the ground and the seat is still way above the bar.  Sorry everyone, but my bike will be racked by the brake levers.


2012-08-01 7:17 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
duder5189 - 2012-07-31 2:51 PM

 

If you're a taller person, if you rack your bike by the nose of the bike, it's very possible that when you take it off the rack, if you then try to pull your bike forward, the seat will not fit underneath the rack....most racks seem to be about 2 inches too short for above average seat post height.  You will then be stuck trying to lean your bike to one side or another in an attempt to get it under the rack, which can raise all kinds of hell in transition, especially if your neighbors bikes are still parked next to you.

i rack by the handlebars, do my transition at the backwheel, and just back the bike out before leaving...what law says i have to go under the rack?

also, x a MILLION on the put your bike back in the same spot!  my running shoes are not there to protect your race wheels from the ground!!  GRR

2012-08-01 7:26 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
Oh, for your own stuff:

Throw one of the ear loops of your helmet strap over the straw on your aero bottle when you rack your bike and you'll have a much smaller chance of finding your helmet and glasses on the ground stepped on.


2012-08-01 7:32 AM
in reply to: #4339609

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

SoberTriGuy - 2012-07-31 3:34 PM This Dude will abide....

 

I'll bring a nice rug to my next race.  I feel like it'll really tie the rack area together. 

2012-08-01 7:39 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

Going to add in...

If you're racked by the seat at the start, when you come back from the bike, also rack it by the seat, and not by the handlebars, which take up about 3x the space on the rack.  That will leave room for the other people when they come in off the bike to rack their bike.   I've had my spot completely taken over by people who turned their bikes around upon returning to T2.

2012-08-01 7:40 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
I was racing a local sprint and someone "racked" their bike via kickstand right in front of the rack.  It happened to be my rack but it was a little further down and wasn't really in my way.  It certainly was in other's way and I believe I heard a few choice words.


2012-08-01 8:46 AM
in reply to: #4339662

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
tamason - 2012-07-31 3:53 PM

I'm only 5'-10" and I had that problem at IMCdA this year.  What I found is I could easily "wheelie" the bike out of the rack.  Drop the front of seat off the bar and then rotate the bike up into a wheelie almost on end, the seat cleared under the bar and off I went.

At 6'4" riding a 62 frame I have never found a rack that my seat fits under.

I do the wheelie technique as well.

2012-08-01 9:27 AM
in reply to: #4339660

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition
iruptacopula - 2012-07-31 2:53 PM
BikerGrrrl - 2012-07-31 2:42 PM

 

And ferpetessake,

I have never seen that word typed out before! I have wanted to use it but didn't know how to spell it! Thank you!!

 

That's the official Minnesota spelling....

 

Having short legs there are almost no racks that I can't get my bike seat under, and I'm 5'10".  But I do love a race with tall tacks that leave my bike swinging in the breeze.

2012-08-01 9:28 AM
in reply to: #4339510

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Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

I usually leave the choice end spots for somebody competitive, but find if I rack my bike next to a set of legs on the rack it's a little taller there than in the middle and I can rack by the nose.  Plus it guarantees that nobody tries to snuggle up to close on that side.

Also, however you choose to rack, keep in mind that the rules say that the wheel on the ground has to be on your side of the rack, not the other side.



Edited by tjh 2012-08-01 9:29 AM
2012-08-01 9:40 AM
in reply to: #4340118

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Chicago
Subject: RE: PSA on bike racking in transition

rjrankin83 - 2012-07-31 7:11 PM Good point. Another added bonus to my Adamo seat. Racking on top of your bag works well for you? I've avoided buying a rear bag for this reason.

It's not perfect - bike seems a little bit tippy sometimes when it's on the bag, but it's ok.  If it's a sprint I'll usually just take the bag off...if I flat, screw it, not worth finishing if it's going to take me that much extra time changing a tire.

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