Guide
Timing cycling and MTB races: where to place the chip and how to time enduro and marathons
· 6 min read
In short
- Cyclists are timed using a chip attached to the bicycle or helmet. Metal on the bike detunes the chip, so use either an on-metal chip or a standard chip positioned 5 to 10 mm away from the metal.
- In MTB enduro, only the individual stages are timed, so readers are placed at both the start and finish of every stage.
- High-speed passages require a sufficiently wide, correctly configured read point so that no riders are missed in a tightly packed finish.
- Long off-road events without mobile coverage require offline timing and a backup procedure.
Cycling is one of the largest event segments requiring race timing: road and gravel marathons, MTB marathons, hill-climb time trials, MTB enduro and circuit races. Tour de France: how race timing works explains how the world’s most famous event is timed. Amateur races can use simpler technology.
Where to place a chip on a bicycle
A bicycle contains metal, which detunes the chip. A standard chip attached directly to metal will generally stop working because the metal detunes and attenuates it. There are two solutions: use an on-metal chip or keep a standard chip away from the metal with a mount or spacer approximately 5 to 10 mm thick. A chip is usually secured to the fork with a cable tie. The helmet is another proven location. Learn more in Which events use RFID chips.
Marathons and gravel races
A cycling marathon or gravel race generally uses a mass or wave start, with the result based on the time from start to finish. Split times at checkpoints are important: they prove that a competitor completed the entire course and help prevent course-cutting. Longer events need a time limit and a safety procedure for closing the course; learn more in Time limits at sporting events.
MTB enduro
In MTB enduro, individual stages, usually descents, are timed, while transfers between them do not count toward the result, although they may be subject to time limits. Readers are placed at the start and finish of every stage, and the result is the sum of the stage times. When riders start individually at intervals, each rider is timed from their own start; learn more in Types of race starts.
Speed and the read zone
A cyclist passes through the read zone faster than a runner. The antenna must therefore be positioned correctly, the read point must be sufficiently wide, and the setup must be tested at realistic speeds. We explain RFID behaviour and why read range matters in Race-timing accuracy.
In the forest without mobile coverage
MTB and gravel events often run beyond the reach of mobile coverage. The application must store records locally and synchronise them once a connection becomes available again. Pack power banks for the checkpoints. Backup race timing explains the backup procedure.
Cycling with TAQIO
Cycling and MTB events are typical uses for TAQIO: online registration, chips attached to helmets or bicycles, timing with a phone or RFID reader, offline mode and online results immediately after synchronisation. We are preparing accessories, including NFC and RFID chips and a reader, for our upcoming online shop.
Frequently asked questions
Where should an RFID chip be placed on a bicycle?
Place an on-metal chip on the fork or front number plate, or mount a standard chip on a spacer that keeps it 5 to 10 mm away from metal. The helmet is another proven location. A standard chip attached directly to metal will generally not work because the metal detunes and attenuates its antenna.
How is MTB enduro timed?
Individual stages, usually descents, are timed. Riders travel between them, and this transfer time does not count toward the result, although it may be subject to limits. Readers are placed at the start and finish of every timed stage, and the result is the sum of the stage times.
Are whole seconds sufficient for a cycling marathon?
Yes. Results are reported in whole seconds, and rankings are based on the time from the start. Hundredths of a second are needed in time trials and track cycling.
What should you do if the course has no mobile coverage?
Use an application that stores records locally and synchronises them later, and prepare a backup procedure such as a second phone or a paper record.