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TECH NEWS
Kickstarter latest: Ditch the safety pins with Racxer magnetic number pins + video
Despite so much state-of-the-art technology in road racing, numbers are still attached to jerseys using the humble safety pin, first invented way back in 1849. Just launched on Kickstarter, Racxers is aiming to confine the safety pin to the history books, at least as a method of attaching numbers to jerseys, with the release of its new magnetic pins.
The company, which is aiming to raise $45,000 to put the magnetic pins into production, has developed a system that uses a pair of rare-earth magnets wrapped in a polymer shell to securely attach the number to the jersey. The shell has been designed with a smooth surface to avoid skin irritation, and they’re available in a range of colours.
It claims the number is held in place with a “secure hold that handles any race day challenge.” It reckons the shape of the polymer case prevents the magnets from moving about, as they interlock into place.
“The unique interlocking design means Racxers are easy to use and won't put holes in your expensive performance clothing,” says the company.
The pins are reusable, don’t put holes in your jersey like safety pins do and at $20 for a pack of four magnets, aren’t crazily expensive, but still far more expensive than safety pins. And more expensive than you can find a pack of suitably shaped and sized magnets on the internet.
Racxers is the only company intent on banishing the safety pin from road racing. NoPinz has developed a plastic pocket that can be retro-fitted to a jersey or skin suit, and was used by the LottoNL-Jumbo race team in this year’s Tour de France. It does require sending your skinsuit off to the company to have the clear pocket attached though. Panache RaceDots is another similar offering as well which we have reported on previously.
Check it out at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1337555798/racxers-race-day-magneti...
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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15 comments
Thanks for the comments Everyone,
While a few of you brought up some good points, we debated the same topics before launch. The point is, we tried the competition and, like many of you, they didn't work for us.
We decided to launch Racxers because we could see a way to make a product that meets your needs. Like many of you, the Racxers founders and our ambassadors race a ton. Even if you get new gear every year, that skin suits will stay smooth all year. We deliver a super-strong magnet, covered by a smooth protective shell. It grips better and won't stick to every-little-thing you walk past.
Using unprotected magnets are a pain to handle and risk cracking, which is a safety hazard. Racxers are a full package solution. We even give you a protective carrying case to store them between races.
If you have any additional comments or questions, please contact us at: customers(at)racxers.com. Or, visit us at www.racxers.com to purchase your set now!
Panache did not develop RaceDots, they simply sell a branded version of the product. RaceDots were an Indiegogo project early last year. http://www.racedots.com/
The consensus I've heard is that the magnets used as number holders kind of suck. They fall off and end up stuck to your CX/MTB cleat and you can't clip in. They get stuck to your chain and blow up your rear derailleur when you pedal. They fall off and your number flaps in the wind. Et cetera.
Yeah, pin damage does kind of suck, but the rest of the jersey is only going to last for 4000+ miles, anyway. Then you donate it or throw it out and get something new.
vs.
and
A bit self contradictory there, aren't we?
From good old Wiki:
Nanotechnology ("nanotech") is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale.
This kind of science isn't cheap guys, we're clearly not seeing all the work they've been doing in the lab following years of research on the LHC...
A little safety advice. If you've got young children or pets, keep these stored away or stick to the safety pins.
Small rare-earth magnets can be very dangerous, if they're ingested and stick to one another across the intestine, the only way they're coming out is with surgery.
Kickstarter = "I don't believe in this product strongly enough to risk my own money, so instead I'll risk yours".
How much do these things weigh?
Do they come in carbon?
Just use corsage magnets a couple of quid for a tube of about 20 on eBay
I have had 2 sets of a similar product for several years from when I was running. I think the first pair came from the Berlin Marathon expo in 2010/11 so not a new idea nor one that requires a Kickstarter pack either.
These are amazing, i'm definitely getting some. Oh no, wait a second these are just wholly unnecessary so I won't get them.
Also anyone who races / has raced will acknowledge pinning your number to your jersey is actually part of the warm-up routine, the tradition, one of the unique elements of the sport, the "process" .......
Nanotechnology, 2 years of effort ..... "the more you work the harder it works...." ,
It comes with an anti-magnetic case the size of a shoebox?!?!?!?
Get a grip (excuse pun).
This has already been done - see RaceDots. I have gone back to pins mostly because the bloody things are soooo magnetic that it is impossible to control them/when they do stick together they are a bitch to get apart.
+1
If you're going to treat Kickstarter as a news source then at least it should be something original.
Otherwise all you're doing is lazily using your news section to give free publicity to someone setting up a business.
In fairness, I don't think you can actually get RaceDots in the UK without having to pay a ridiculous amount of international shipping. At least you couldn't the last time that I looked.
Can get sports magnets posted from Denmark all in for about £8. I've used these for running and cycling the past few years with no issues. Solves the problem of all your sports clothing ending up with pin holes and pulls in them.
Also one year at the Etape Caledonia they gave out Endura race snaps with the numbers which are plastic and clip your number to your jersey with no magnets.
A kickstarter campaign for a product that already exists.
Wow, ''nanotechnology''. Much technology, many wow. Just buy a couple of Neodymium magnets for a few pounds and there will be no need to wait for kickstater to ship or pay 20usd for overpriced magnets....