Any advice from the forum on which works the best? I looked at the X-lab system and not sure how secure it will be. Any advice would be appreciated.
Search the forum and you’ll find all the info and debate you could ever want to read.
Use “torpedo mount” as your search term (I just asked the question recently and got lots of good answers).
FWIW, the X-Lab et. al. systems are totally superfluous, because 4 zip-ties will do the same thing (get a slightly longer/wider one than the usual cable holder size).
Check out the Aero Hammock.
Great option that will allow you to hold your bottle and other items all right at your finger tips. The new Deluxe will hold your bottle and a gel or your i-phone so you can track your work out and download or follow a map app.
I just installed an XLAB Torpedo mount. I haven’t used it yet but it seems very secure.
http://treadster.blogspot.com/2011/06/xlab-torpedo-bottle-mount-review.html
I almost fell over when I saw price of the X-lab system.
I bought some black release-able wire ties from Home Depot ($1.27) and made a homemade version. I have about 6-7 rides of 30-50 miles using the system and haven’t touched it once.
Secure fit with Zipp Vuka and chicane extensions.
The costs of some are crazy. Profile Design makes one that works well for me and is $15. I initially tried the home remedy to see if I liked it. I moved that one to the downtube. My problem with the home version is I only had the zip ties, so the cage would move around. The PD one came with support underneath to stabilize it.
I believe Tom D. has said something about this already:
http://university.tri-sports.com/2011/04/26/aerobar-drink-systems/
FWIW, I used to have the aero drink and I just never liked how much water bounced out and how much noise it made. So I did 6 zip ties and a $3 metal bottle cage between the aerobars. Works great.
xlab torpedo cage + xlab torpedo mount. not cheap, but better than anything else i’ve tried. i say worth the money.
I don’t have a pic to share but I tried the zip tie on the bars but did not like how “bouncy” it was so I McGiver’d a mount. Went to home depot and bought a 3/4" wide x 3/8" piece of aluminum bar stock, cut it to fit across the top of the extensions, drilled a hole to screw the bottle to, tapped the hole and voila a super secure mount for $7 (had to buy the tap for $5). I just use a Trek bat cage and it a great option for me.
Profile Design makes a $10 solution. I use it. Stable and low profile.
cable ties, existing bottle cage. virtually free. Works great unless your extensions are miles apart and you can spend the saved money on beer/socks or whatever takes your fancy.
Like some others I use another bottle and zip ties, which sits on my bar extensions and is rock solid. Don’t waste the money buying a system, except perhaps the gorrila cage, which will be a great choice to keep the bottle from trying to get out if you hit a bump or hole.