Aerodynamics

[uberbiker]

With all the latest aero gear on display each July I still cant work out why the race numbers are still pinned onto the back of the riders during the TTs.

A couple of years back Teams (Disco) had the "latest in aero fabric in their skinsuits only to have a number flapping off the back of it

Surely they could print the number onto the skinsuits....

 

[spalco]

I guess it's too much of a bother. Although I agree, with all the things they do it doesn't seem like a big deal especially when I see pictures like this:

http://yfrog.com/ki406rj

There's also a little issue with the numbers occasionally changing in the Tour de France, the team leading the team competition has yellow numbers and the previous day's most competitive rider has a red number, but in that case they could still use the "traditional" numbers over the ones printed on the jerseys.

 

[Franklin]

With all the latest aero gear on display each July I still cant work out why the race numbers are still pinned onto the back of the riders during the TTs.

A couple of years back Teams (Disco) had the "latest in aero fabric in their skinsuits only to have a number flapping off the back of it

Surely they could print the number onto the skinsuits....

It's a tradition: In the morning you sign up and get your race number. When you quit you give the number to an official.

 

[brianf7]

I think they had velcro numbers in the tour not sure this year also stick on numbers have been used.
I remember the Commisaire riping Cippos numbers of when he cought sight of a mountain. he just stoped dead.
the set of numbers cost a fortune for clubs I made some with a printer and some laminating. they were OK.

 

[will10]

Generally the number makes very little difference aerodynamically - the airflow has already detached from your body by that stage. But it does make me laugh to see it flapping