I’m in the process of setting up my bike and need some assistance in hydration ideas. I am trying to find a workable solution, while not losing too much aero. I have tried my best to like the Speedfill A2, but can’t seem to configure it to work for me.
Other options are: Horizontal bottle, but don’t really want the PIA to remove and drink, so most likely will not hydrate enough. http://i60.tinypic.com/35k0pbr.jpg
Torhans 30 front, but some concern with comments of spilling, and also is it working against my front end too much being where it is? (yes, I will take the bag off http://i59.tinypic.com/2cihh5l.jpg
Another option would be a Torpedo from X-lab? Thoughts?
This would be the Torhans package…is it efficient? http://i58.tinypic.com/34sse38.jpg I also will likely use 1 bottle behind saddle, close and low. Thanks in advance, and help me out!
The last option is what I would go with. You really want to get the Tohans bottle in the front as close to the headtube as possible. The Torhans frame bottle looks like a very good fit.
If you look at the drag chart on the torhans site it was done using the bike you have. Their bottle performed better than as BTA mounted standard bottle. We saw at AeroCamp that it was faster on the Bayonet style bikes.
From everything I’ve read, the consensus seems to be that the most aerodynamic option for hydration is a horizontally mounted bottle. That’s what I’ve been doing for a couple years now and I love it. I don’t think it’s hard at all the get to the bottle. In fact, I find it easier to access than a downtube mounted bottle. If you’ve never tried it then you should definitely give it a shot.
If you can get a Torhans Aero 30 (or Aero 20) close to your headtube, there’s nothing else better aerodynamically. It’s quite shocking how well that thing works. Based on the pic, though, I would go with a BTA bottle; bury it in your arms. Get one with a straw, like the Xlab Torpedo, to make it easier to drink. The VR bottle seems to work well for everything we’ve tested it on, so use it as a storage compartment if you’re not using it for hydration.
Thanks Jim. I REALLY appreciate your expertise. Unfortunately, with the aero bar setup that’s pretty much as close as I can get. I’d love to use it, but the extensions have a cross piece that doesn’t allow me to creep it much closer. Tried the A2 and it didn’t work, so you think the Torpedo is the best choice? Also, since I wouldn’t use it for hydration, the VR is better than not having it, and I should put flat kit inside? Think a single bottle on back with x-lab or other makes it better?
It’s so nice of all of you to share your knowledge. I appreciate!
Little tip about the Torhans bottle- put a piece of electrical tape over the rubber lid and tape it to the bottle. You can then push the rubber lid over to the side, refill the bottle, and not have to worry about it falling off. I’ve done that at a few races now and it works well. I’ve had a few of those lids pop off during races, too, so it’ll prevent you from losing it.
To keep it from splashing, make sure you use both the inner seal thing and the rubber lid.
I’m starting to like mine more, after a year of not being thrilled with it. It isn’t 100% refined in my opinion, but it definitely works well enough.
I’m starting to like mine more, after a year of not being thrilled with it. It isn’t 100% refined in my opinion, but it definitely works well enough.
I love it for flat courses… it does exactly what you need it to do and you don’t have to fuss with laying the straw down (like x-labs). I parted with mine because I see myself drinking more when not having to refill the bottle and only being able to drink when aero.
To get the Torhans 30 lower flip the arms up so that the bracket actually sits under the aerobars. When looking from the front the black would be shaped like a U.
You could try your own, which allows you to customize everything to your specific bike. Here are two variations I’ve used for a between-the-arms setup. The first has a bottle cage zip-tied to the aero bars, the second has the bottle directly attached to the aerobars using velcro strips. In both cases, I simply drilled a hole for the straw and bought flexible tubing for the straw itself (plain tubing you can get at home depot, or replacement tubing made for hydration packs). You can also rig it to hold the straw down out of the wind, as I’ve shown, by buying little straw clips that are made for Camelbaks.
You are thinking about this right and your guesses are as good as anybody elses as to what will be fastest.
One thing might consider, are to read over the sealant articles in the main slowtwitch news page. Latex tubes and a good sealant might be enough protection to let you go without any spare kit at all, simplifying your choice. New tires with no cuts + carefully installed latex tubes + sealant = not much chance of a flat.
Just out of interest, what didn’t you like about the A2? I have one, and have to admit the straw drives me a bit nuts, no easy way to secure it out of the way…
