Bike numbers for us "shorties"

I see it all the time at races. People with numbers taped poorly on frames. Draped over the top tube to the point where you can barely see the numbers, crammed onto the seat post, then covered by a saddle bag.

Those bike stickers were just not made for folks with small bike frames. The number is important, how else am I supposed to find photos of myself for facebook?!?!?! (moderate sarcasm there).

Personally, I have been cutting around the numbers and placing them on my frame in locations where race officials will not complain. Oftentimes, its the bottom triangle, others it's right at the end of the seat stay, under the seat.

Here is a photo of me cutting a race number. Notice how I taped it onto my frame (sideways). This was at patriot, the numbers were not sticky and I had forgotten packing tape, so that was the best position I could find.

At WTC races the numbers can really get STUCK onto your frame after a really hot race and leaving them on for a week (lets admit it, we all forget to take them off immediately). A neat trick is to put the number on a piece of packing tape (sticky side on sticky side). Trim the number again. Once you have done this, you can now place the sticker onto your frame and place packing tape over it. This will ensure a few things:

1) the number will be in the MOST visible spot, for photographs and what not

2) the number will not get in your way in terms of hitting your thigh

3) the number will not flap in the wind (which can be quite annoying during longer races)
4) the number will not have an aerodynamics drag penalty

- the last reason is especially true for slower cyclist. remember, the longer you are on the course, the more (in terms of total time) drag affects you.

My teammate, Jay Powell wrote up a nice piece regarding chain waxing. I won't echo him so here it is. I also added:

"i just started waxing my chain as well. Jay Powell i had great success with an ultrasonic cleaner. it's 70 bucks and i run it at 50 deg C for 15 minutes and the chain comes out silly clean. from there i run it through some denatured alcohol. 

for the wax, i use a slow cooker. i also suggest heating your chain in the oven to 120 degrees (or under 200) before you put it in the wax, this allows the wax to penetrate better. as the wax cools (when you take it out) the pressure will cause it to sit into the links.

for post wax cleaning, just use CLEAR mineral spirits and shake until it stays clear....

i personally rotate 4 chains so i can wax once a month. i find that each waxing lasts about a week and change for me (that's about 300-350 miles).

you can also add teflon powder at the end of your waxing treatment to give it an extra little boost.

for those who don't want to go through all this effort... try squirt lube. it's within .5watts of waxing your chain. "


Happy riding, everyone!