jen_turnbull

This weekend, I had yet another race number belt fail (that's about the third in the last couple of years).

They always seem to be of poor quality, even when buying a more expensive one. After not that many uses, the elastic always starts to fail.

Can anybody recommend a decent replacement please?

Preferably one that can hold gels, although I'd be prepared to forego this convenience for something that is fit for purpose.

Thank you.

redlude97

whats wrong with pinning to your jersey?

fietsbob

You Mean ,, a Fanny pack?

jen_turnbull

We sometimes get self sticking numbers, but for the non-sticking, I prefer not to have a load of holes in my expensive jerseys/trisuits.

Doge

I don't know what a race number belt is.

We glue numbers. 3M 77 and remove glue with GooGone gel.

If the numbers need to be returned - pins can be easier.

redlude97

Do race belts even work with horizontal number mounting?

Brian Ratliff

I think you'll have better luck in the triathlete subforum. Roadies have never heard of "race number belts"; it's mostly a running thing I think. I had to google it. Bike racers typically pin numbers to their jerseys and use pockets for gels.

caloso

I knew what they are. I used to be a triathlete. Probably have an old belt lying around somewhere. You could probably make your own for cheaper by buying some stretchy nylon webbing and a snap closure at REI.

K.Katso

Check out nopinz.com I just bought a skinsuit from them for TTs that require you to put on a number. They have Tri suits too.

CeeDotA

This, pretty much. I have a cheap race belt that works fine for running and triathlon cycling but for bike racing and needing the number horizontal? Not so much. Pretty much every number belt I've seen, cheap or not, looks to work exactly the same way.

therhodeo

Is it too early in the thread to discuss peeing on oneself during a race?

motorthings

i peed on myself at post #3 of the thread...was that too soon?

bbbean 

Yuo bought the expensive jerseys for racing, right?

bbbean 

What is a triathlete? Is that someone who just tries a sport out a few times?

jen_turnbull

Thank you K.Katso, these look like more premium products, especially the SpeedPocket.

The reviews all seem positive as well, so will investigate further, but look like they will do the job.

PepeM

Ignoring the recommendations from this forum, I got myself some racedots with that holder thing they sell. Expensive, but they've worked well for me so far, as in they keep the number in place without adding holes to my jersey. I did manage to lose one of them somehow and the number did come off when I crashed, so far from perfect, but an option nonetheless.

gl98115

Whatever you do, don't wear your race number belt with your race number suspenders.

That's just wrong.

redlude97

recommendations on this forum? I thought they were pretty popular throughout the racing scene?

caloso

I'm old school. I use safety pins. 8: one for each corner and side.

K.Katso

Three reasons why I don't do this anymore:

1) you always have to go around begging others to pin it on if you want to do it well
2) no matter how good it gets pinned on, there is always something flapping in the wind (ruining whatever aero advantage your skinsuit is giving you)
3) you brush up against something in the starting line and the pins rip a big hole in your 300€ skinsuit

redlude97

you can't take off your jersey and pin it on yourself?

K.Katso

In my case it's a skinsuit, not a jersey. OP was asking about Tri, in which you also typically wear a similar type of suit. You need to have the number pinned on so it is flat when you are in the TT position, and you can't do that while you're wearing it.

jen_turnbull

As K.Katso said, it's not practicable whilst wearing a skinsuit or trisuit.

Also, for competing in duathlons and triathlons your number needs to face different directions at different times. The rules mostly state that the number has to be facing forward on the run section(s) and facing backwards on the bike.

As a bonus though, thanks to this thread, I've found out about that great SpeedPocket system from nopinz.com for road cycling time trials.

Bah Humbug

Not really enforced much in a lot of tris - I once completely forgot the belt and did the whole thing without. No one cared. Between the bike number and the body marking numbers, the belt number isn't really necessary.

jen_turnbull

It doesn't matter if it "isn't really necessary", why take the risk and face disqualification?


Source: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/bri...tion_rules.pdf

2.9 Race Numbers:

a.) Race numbers provided by the Event Organiser must not be altered, cut down, folded or in any way mutilated. Numbers so treated will result in the competitor being disqualified if the offence is not corrected.

b.) Race numbers must be affixed to the competitor’s clothing or to a suitable race belt or bib. The number must be clearly visible at all times and it is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure this to avoid any penalties.

c.) During the cycling phase, a number must be displayed to the rear.

d.) During the running phase, a number must be displayed to the front.

e.) Additional body markings may be provided by the Event Organiser, but this is not a substitute for, or replacement of, an official race number.

f.) All references to the wearing of race numbers specifically exclude swim phases.