Attaching my number

The Squirrel

The Squirrel

Well-Known Member
I'm losing my patience with the whole pinning my number thing. I don't want to rely on someone to "tighten" me up anymore. I searched online for tips and came across spray glue. I happen to have a can of 3M 77 in the basement and I'm thinking of giving this a go. Is this an acceptable practice? Is there anything I should worry about besides the glue on the skin suit thing?
 
The Squirrel said:
I'm losing my patience with the whole pinning my number thing. I don't want to rely on someone to "tighten" me up anymore. I searched online for tips and came across spray glue. I happen to have a can of 3M 77 in the basement and I'm thinking of giving this a go. Is this an acceptable practice? Is there anything I should worry about besides the glue on the skin suit thing?
Click to expand...


Do the glue
 
Significant other...my wife thinks I'm going to DIE doin' CX. Helping me pin on one of the only things that actually allows me to line up? I don't see that happening.
 
Sniff the glue, or use it as a flame thrower to set things on fire.

Pull the jersey over your steering wheel in your car, and rotate it a bit exposing more of the side that the number goes on. Line up the bottom edge along the seam between from the front and rear of the jersey, or mid way along the side panel if there is one.
Make sure you pull it a little tight first and huld in place with your knees if your jersey is a tight race cut, or let it be if it sits loose on you.

This is how mine looked Sunday using the steering wheel method.
image.jpeg
 
Pinning is ritual. Learn to enjoy it. It's like cleaning a gun. Or a toaster. Don't use glue

Some tips:
  • 8 pins. One on each corner, another on each edge. 8 is apparently a lucky number in China. Safety pins are made in China. Match made in heaven.
  • Never use the little holes. Ever. You will look like you are wearing a spinnaker. The holes are decoys meant to distract and confuse you. Instead, make your own holes with the pin.
  • Pre-pin the number before trying to attach to the jersey/skin suit. Open the pin, poke it through from top to bottom. Repeat 7 more times.
  • Now line up he bottom edge of the number with the middle of the center panel of your top. Start at the armpit and poke the pin through the jersey then back up and through the number. Continue along the side panel then the back but be sure to give it a little stretch when you pin each corner.
  • Now put on the jersey/skinsuit and ask your significant other or nearest person to redo it all but with the numbers facing up this time
 
Delish said:
Pinning is ritual. Learn to enjoy it. It's like cleaning a gun. Or a toaster. Don't use glue

Some tips:
  • 8 pins. One on each corner, another on each edge. 8 is apparently a lucky number in China. Safety pins are made in China. Match made in heaven.
  • Never use the little holes. Ever. You will look like you are wearing a spinnaker. The holes are decoys meant to distract and confuse you. Instead, make your own holes with the pin.
  • Pre-pin the number before trying to attach to the jersey/skin suit. Open the pin, poke it through from top to bottom. Repeat 7 more times.
  • Now line up he bottom edge of the number with the middle of the center panel of your top. Start at the armpit and poke the pin through the jersey then back up and through the number. Continue along the side panel then the back but be sure to give it a little stretch when you pin each corner.
  • Now put on the jersey/skinsuit and ask your significant other or nearest person to redo it all but with the numbers facing up this time
Click to expand...

Do all this.... On the steering wheel.
:thumbsup:
 
MadisonDan said:
Sniff the glue, or use it as a flame thrower to set things on fire.

Pull the jersey over your steering wheel in your car, and rotate it a bit exposing more of the side that the number goes on. Line up the bottom edge along the seam between from the front and rear of the jersey, or mid way along the side panel if there is one.
Make sure you pull it a little tight first and huld in place with your knees if your jersey is a tight race cut, or let it be if it sits loose on you.

This is how mine looked Sunday using the steering wheel method.
View attachment 41133
Click to expand...
Thanks. I use the steering wheel, I just have't been able to visualize the alignment thing. I even tried to premark the skin suit with tailor marking chalk using an older number. I still don't know why that didn't work.
 
Delish said:
Pinning is ritual. Learn to enjoy it. It's like cleaning a gun. Or a toaster. Don't use glue

Some tips:
  • Now put on the jersey/skinsuit and ask your significant other or nearest person to redo it all but with the numbers facing up this time
Click to expand...

Oh, you must have saw Hotsauce flipping my number over in the parking lot (no joke).

Thanks for the pointers. I'm going to have to go outside and practice.
 
Delish said:
Pinning is ritual. Learn to enjoy it. It's like cleaning a gun. Or a toaster. Don't use glue

Some tips:
  • 8 pins. One on each corner, another on each edge. 8 is apparently a lucky number in China. Safety pins are made in China. Match made in heaven.
  • Never use the little holes. Ever. You will look like you are wearing a spinnaker. The holes are decoys meant to distract and confuse you. Instead, make your own holes with the pin.
  • Pre-pin the number before trying to attach to the jersey/skin suit. Open the pin, poke it through from top to bottom. Repeat 7 more times.
  • Now line up he bottom edge of the number with the middle of the center panel of your top. Start at the armpit and poke the pin through the jersey then back up and through the number. Continue along the side panel then the back but be sure to give it a little stretch when you pin each corner.
  • Now put on the jersey/skinsuit and ask your significant other or nearest person to redo it all but with the numbers facing up this time
Click to expand...
Thank you, sensei. I've been using the steering wheel or lap method in the car. Out of my 3(?)ish races last year, two of them I had the number upside down, one had the number on the wrong side. All were pinned using the large holes and every time it became a sail. I believe this is why I was at the back of the pack. For sure.

As much as I like the idea of the ease of use of glue... what if it ruins the sprinkles!?
 
Oooooooohhh. Skinsuit.
Forget the steering wheel.

This one is way trickier.

Whatever you figure out, remember this: When it gets colder, and you have a base layer on and someone else pins you. THEY WILL PIN YOU TO YOUR BASE LAYER. You will remain stuck in that garment until you get home and ask your wife to free you.
 
Steps to using glue.

-Spray back of number with glue.
-Stick on jersey.
-eat waffles while everyone else spends the next hour trying to get 50 pins through their numbers only for them all to rip out once they put the jersey on.
 
Since you're rocking the skinsuit, warm up in a different outfit. Pin the number on the skinsuit using @Delish's steering wheel method.
It bears repeating DO NOT USE THE LITTLE HOLES

Then, before your race, change into your nice warm, clean skinsuit. Start out looking and feeling fresh!
 
Keep in mind a little glue goes a way. Too much and you'll be picking glue snot off your jersey for the next 2 seasons or until you lose interest in CX racing. Spray both surfaces sparingly and let them dry to a slightly tacky consistency.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom