Hi. I'm new here, but not new to endurance events. I've done one iron distance event -- the Vineman in 2014 -- on a road bike with clip-on aero bars. I'm registered for the IM St. George on 5/2/20, and for this event I'm treating myself to a Tri-bike. I'd like advice on accessories for carrying hydration and nutrition.
For the Vineman, I used a 24 oz. BTA bullet bottle with a straw for water, which I refilled at aid stations. I got virtually all my calories from two 24 oz. bottles filled with Hammer Perpetuem on two cages in the triangle. The setup worked great for me because (i) it let me manage hydration separately from my caloric intake, (ii) it let me race as I trained, (iii) and it made transiting aid stations easy, simple, and fast.
I'd like to do something similar for IM St. George, but I have more options given that I'm starting with a new Tri-specific bike. For the Vineman, I finished in the top third -- and I'm likely to be even less competitive for IM St. George given that it's the NA championship, so please take that into consideration.
For hydration, I'm planning to again rely on a BTA bottle, as it worked great for me. FIRST QUESTION: what BTA systems are you using and what do you like and dislike about them? I've looked at some of the options from X-Lab, Profile Design, and Speedfil, and it’s hard to differentiate between them.
For nutrition, I see four basic options: (i) two bottles in the triangle (bad aero, but great ergonomics); (ii) one bottle in the triangle and one BTS (better aero and comparable ergonomics as I’d only touch the BTS bottle once, mid-course, to swap out bottles); (iii) two BTS (best aero but I worry about dropping bottles, having them bounce out, and the distraction of reaching behind my saddle every time I want to take in calories); and (iv) a single larger reservoir in the triangle, such as the 40 oz. Speedfil F1 system (good aero, easy access, but I wonder if managing two sets of straws will be workable).
SECOND QUESTION: what do you recommend for carrying 40-48 oz. of liquid nutrition, which systems are you using, and what do you like and dislike about them? If you’re a fan of BTS setups, I’d appreciate your insights into (i) the challenges of using a BTS bottle in actual practice and (ii) how your system integrates with whatever you’re carrying for tools.
FINAL QUESTION: on the question of tools, what’s the standard kit these days? On my road bike, I’ve always carried a spare tube (two for training), inflator (two for training), tire levers, and (for training) a tube patch kit, small foldable multi-tool and emergency cash. Everything went into a saddle bag. With a BTS bottle and with a seat mast, rather than a stem, however, the question of carrying the kit is more complicated.
Thanks for your help!
Christopher from Oregon
For the Vineman, I used a 24 oz. BTA bullet bottle with a straw for water, which I refilled at aid stations. I got virtually all my calories from two 24 oz. bottles filled with Hammer Perpetuem on two cages in the triangle. The setup worked great for me because (i) it let me manage hydration separately from my caloric intake, (ii) it let me race as I trained, (iii) and it made transiting aid stations easy, simple, and fast.
I'd like to do something similar for IM St. George, but I have more options given that I'm starting with a new Tri-specific bike. For the Vineman, I finished in the top third -- and I'm likely to be even less competitive for IM St. George given that it's the NA championship, so please take that into consideration.
For hydration, I'm planning to again rely on a BTA bottle, as it worked great for me. FIRST QUESTION: what BTA systems are you using and what do you like and dislike about them? I've looked at some of the options from X-Lab, Profile Design, and Speedfil, and it’s hard to differentiate between them.
For nutrition, I see four basic options: (i) two bottles in the triangle (bad aero, but great ergonomics); (ii) one bottle in the triangle and one BTS (better aero and comparable ergonomics as I’d only touch the BTS bottle once, mid-course, to swap out bottles); (iii) two BTS (best aero but I worry about dropping bottles, having them bounce out, and the distraction of reaching behind my saddle every time I want to take in calories); and (iv) a single larger reservoir in the triangle, such as the 40 oz. Speedfil F1 system (good aero, easy access, but I wonder if managing two sets of straws will be workable).
SECOND QUESTION: what do you recommend for carrying 40-48 oz. of liquid nutrition, which systems are you using, and what do you like and dislike about them? If you’re a fan of BTS setups, I’d appreciate your insights into (i) the challenges of using a BTS bottle in actual practice and (ii) how your system integrates with whatever you’re carrying for tools.
FINAL QUESTION: on the question of tools, what’s the standard kit these days? On my road bike, I’ve always carried a spare tube (two for training), inflator (two for training), tire levers, and (for training) a tube patch kit, small foldable multi-tool and emergency cash. Everything went into a saddle bag. With a BTS bottle and with a seat mast, rather than a stem, however, the question of carrying the kit is more complicated.
Thanks for your help!
Christopher from Oregon