The Best Way to Attach a Race Timing Chip to Your Bike

It’s 2022 and bike racing is back! This season, more and more bike races are turning to timing chips. I wasn’t a fan at first, but the ability to re-use them from race to race, get results faster and have an easier check-in have sold me on them. So far, we have seen some pretty creative (and funny) ways of attaching timing chips to bikes. They come with zip ties but the reality is that there is a better, more-aero, and simpler solution: using a latex tube. Surprisingly, there are no instructions for how to do this on the internet! Not yet at least; we looked. Fortunately, this is extremely easy to do.

All you need is

• A latext tube (preferably one that is punctured and unusable for riding, obviously)

• Scissors

• Electrical tape

• Of course, your timing chip and your race bike

All images by Scott Rettino

How to install your timing chip using a latex tube

1. Protect the frame from the chip

Put some electrical tape behind the chip. This is the part of the chip that will have contact with your bike, so you want to put a layer inbetween to make sure you don't scratch the paint. You can also put electrical tape on the part of the fork, or use a bit of old bartape beneath the chip (although this might be a bit harder to slide later on).

2. Cut the tube about 1 in to each side

Highly subjective, but I cut 1 in on each side of the chip for the tube. This is to make sure that the chip doesn't go anywhere, and is sufficiently protected on both sides. Some people use significantly less (and do 1/2 or 1/4 inch). Just make sure there is plenty of space for the chip to fit snuggly.

Note the electrical tape on the back of the chip

3. Slide the tube onto the fork

Your choice for which side to use; most people put it on the right side of the fork. There are people who for some reason put the chip inside the fork but that seems unnecessarily dangerous and silly. (We have checked and outside of the fork is sufficiently pro.) Slide the latex tube up the fork, which might take some stretching and finagling. Once you're far enough up, grab your timing chip.

4. Install the timing chip by sliding it from the top

You can also slide it up from the bottom, but it's easier to slide down from the top where the fork is wider and the tube is more stretched out. This will take some stretching and pushing, and is easier with another set of hands. Continue stretching the latex tube and pushing the chip down until the timing chip is where you want it to be.

Voilá. Now you have an aero timing chip to use all bike racing season.

Finished product