Plate Numbers

BMX race plate numbers: fitting the number you were given

A plate number is not a styling choice: it is allocated by the club or the federation according to licence, class and ranking, and it can change from one season to the next. Your job is to make it perfectly legible on the plate, from the first moto through to the final, with digits that survive mud and the pressure washer.

Adhesive digits: sheets, sets and singles

Numbers usually come as sheets holding several copies of the digits 0 to 9, or as sets of identical digits when you need to build a two or three figure number. The adhesive vinyl is pre-cut, with a silicone backing that peels away digit by digit.

• Multi-digit sheets to make up any number
• Single digits to replace one damaged character
• Classic black and white plus colours matched to the plate
• Vinyl that stands up to washing and flying dirt

Which digit height for which plate format

Digit height follows the plate format, which itself follows the rider class: a mini plate on Micro and Mini bikes, standard format on Junior and Expert frames, a more compact bar plate for Cruiser and Pro riders. On a mini plate, oversized digits run past the flat area; on a standard plate, undersized digits make life hard for the officials.

The principle stays simple: the number should fill the usable face of the plate without touching the edges or the fixing points, with a clean contrast between background and digits.

Number plate or bar plate

The number plate is the classic mount, sitting at the front of the bike and held by plastic ties. The bar plate, smaller, is also tied to the handlebar and crossbar; it is found mainly on 24" Cruisers and among Pro riders, where it cuts wind resistance and interferes less with handling. The same number, then, but two digit sizes to plan for if you race both bikes.

Application: preparation, alignment, durability

A clean application lasts a full season. Degrease the plate with alcohol, let it dry, position each digit dry before peeling the backing, then squeegee from the centre outwards to chase out bubbles. Avoid applying in cold weather and wait a few hours before the first jet wash. Always keep a spare sheet in the bag: a digit torn off during the warm-up is replaced on the spot in two minutes.

Building a complete plate

Many riders add a name, a club initial or a country code using plate letters. Always check your federation's regulations before adding anything: legibility of the number takes priority over personalisation, and a busy background can be turned away at scrutineering.

Brands available

• Tangent: digit sheets designed around its own plates, strong colours
• Insight: classic numbers, good legibility for the money
• Stay Strong: colours matched to the brand's plates and pads
• Box Components: thick vinyl that holds up to washing
• Elevn: more distinctive finishes to complete a matched build

The BMX RACING advice

Give us your number and your plate format and we will tell you the right digit height and how many sheets you need to cover both the race bike and the training bike. Being multi-brand, we compare vinyls rather than impose one reference. Dispatched within 24 to 72 hours, you can spread the cost over 2 or 3 payments available. Find the rest of the range in our BMX accessories.