A few months ago, we posted a short video on Instagram: a race number on the handlebars that folded 90° to lie completely flat, accompanied by the sound of a small motor. Bikerumor, one of the most widely read cycling websites in the world, saw it, wrote to us, and ended up publishing an entire article about it. For a small project like ours, made in Spain and almost entirely by hand, having a site like that dedicate an article to us is amazing. Thank you.
👉 Read the full article on Bikerumor
Let's be clear: the DRS is not a product we are going to launch
The Smart Plate DRS is a prototype, and not a very viable one at that. Handlebar controls, a mode that folds automatically above 20 km/h, syncing with Strava segments… We know that putting a motor and battery into a race number holder is going a bit too far. And we also know that race organizers aren't usually thrilled about people messing with their race numbers.
It was never the intention to sell it. The idea was to grab some attention. We wanted people to talk about something almost no one considers: what it costs you to wear a race number. And, judging by the article and the comments, it seems to have worked.
The problem is real
A flat race number facing the wind acts like a parachute. According to our tests, a 20 × 15 cm race number generates about 7.4 W of drag at 25 km/h, and when descending at 50 km/h, that figure reaches around 60 W. In a 200 km race or sportive, that can mean between 7 and 9 minutes. These are our own measurements, and we state that clearly, but the order of magnitude is enough to understand that the race number is not an insignificant detail.
Our real solution: simple, no motor, and no battery
What we do make and sell is our front race number mount. It keeps the race number centered under the handlebars, secure and without the need for zip ties or rubber bands, and it can be folded by hand or left to fold by the force of the wind itself. This way, you achieve much of what the DRS aimed for without overcomplicating your life.
- It mounts to the bottom GoPro-style bracket of your cycling computer (Garmin, Wahoo, Bryton).
- Straight or curved version, depending on your cockpit.
- If your mount doesn't have a GoPro bracket, we have adapters.
- Are you organizing an event or riding with your club? There is a 10-pack available.
And for the rear race number, you have the seatpost mount custom-made for your bike.
And in the comments…
There was a bit of everything: those who thought it was an April Fool's joke, those who asked if everything really needs a motor and battery, and those who shared their own tricks. We agree with many of them: the solution doesn't have to be complicated. That's why the one we sell isn't.
If you have any ideas, questions, or want to tell us how you carry your race number, write to us at info@pedra.bike. We design with the community and for the community.
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