I have an x-lab duel bottle holder on the back or my bike, but its a pain to get out of aero and grab the bottles and drink from them. I see tons of guys riding with those profile design and bontrager aerobar bottles. They seem pretty easy to fill, easy to drink out of and easy to mount. What do you guys think about these things?? I am sure a bunch of you are using them…any suggestions on which is the best and where to buy the cheapest? Also I have heard that the can splash you in the face, and mess with your handling. Any truth to this?? Also I have seen the speedfill systems. How are those???
aerobar hydration - yes they can splash in your face, though there are now a variety of options for capping them which are better in some ways. they will also spill their contents if you lay your bike down to change a flat.
they are aerodynamically ok on bikes with non aero head tubes (if the straw is very short)
i wouldn’t put one on any modern carbon tri bike with an intelligently shaped head tube.
the speedfill makes for a nice training companion imho but for racing it is senseless. running a thick tube all up your nice aero frame? plus its huge
races have handups. 3 of em per 50 miles. you can get away with one standard water bottle between your aerobars most races. add an aero bottle to your downtube/seat tube if you need another
no need to get crazy
I’ve got a Speedfil and I love the thing. Works exactly like it supposed to, but I do have one complaint. It literally is the ugliest thing I’ve ever bolted to my bike. I run an Arundel Chrono for Olys, but for long course the Speedfil works like a charm.
I have a profile aerodrink that mounts on the aerobars. I used it last season for a half and a full and let’s just say that I decided that it won’t be used this year. I’m planning on rigging up a plain cage mount between my aerobars. I found that, while convenient to drink from, the “sponge” thing doesn’t prevent splashing. In fact on any slightly bumpy road you will be covered in gatorade if it’s more than half full. In addition filling the thing up is just a pain in the ass, since you have to get out of your aero position to empty the “squeeze top” bottles they always give you. And it’s either that or try to take the top off while riding. Just my opinion.
when contemplating a water holder that might involve a straw or tube, never forget this picture out of MIT
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BUT you have to balance that against the aero loss of coming off the tribars to drink.
I have the Speedfil and a Bontrager Aero Race Pack. Speedfil for log training rides, ARP for shorter rides/races. So far I’m very impressed with the thought put into the Aero Race Pack, it’s insulated (if you purchase that version, adjustable and has a pocket for jells. I have had no problems with splash so far. I’d say it’s worth a look.
If I had one area for improvement, the straw is a bit short.
Bontrager Aero Race Pack
-Jeff
BUT you have to balance that against the aero loss of coming off the tribars to drink.
- you don’t have to
- not many people can stay in them 100% of the time anyway. the occasional drink is a free arm stretch. you can even alternate arms!
- you drink for a couple seconds a few times a race. that dirty no good round straw is in the air all goddamn 8 hours of your ironman ride.
=)
If I had one area for improvement, the straw is a bit short.
-Jeff
…
!!!
hehe
What about the effect of dehydration cos you only drink a few times? Or crashing cos you try to stay of the aerobars?
But yes you make good points.
The advantage of having a tube right there, in your face is priceless to me. Without it, I simply forget to drink for too long. Then I remember and try to “catch up”, which I can’t do very well and often makes things worse.
I tried the type of bottle you put between the aerobars. Tried several actually. I didn’t like any of them. Didn’t like the splashing in my face or how they put extra weight between the aerobars.
I tried the Speedfil and really liked it. I like where it puts the weight, in the center of your frame rather than on the aerobars. I like how easy it is to fill. I was concerned about the aeroness of the tube but fortunately it’s a very short run of tubing to reach your cockpit. I didn’t bother with that stiff collar they have you put on it, though. There is no need to have the tube sticking up, dragging wind when you are not using it. Instead I put velcro on the tube and on the aerobars and, when I’m not drinking, have it velcroed there, out of the way. A nice side effect of this is that the the second half of the length of the tube presents a very small profile to the wind since it is facing forward.
So far I’ve used it for a couple of half IMs and a full this way and have been very happy with it.
I use the basic profile aerodrink ($20), as do many of the pros.
Once I figured out how to securely mount it with the rubber bands, it only splashed a tiny bit and only when it was full. The old sponge, which did suck, has been replaced with a much better lid.
The price is great. It works great.
http://www.google.com/products?q=aerodrink&aq=f
And yeah, I find that I drink much, much more regularly with a straw in front of my mouth rather than having to reach for a bottle which is priceless in a race.
Do the rubber bands come with the bottle? Also, was it pretty easy to figure out how to get the rubber bands to hold the bottle properly.
One water bottle between the tri bars mounted to a normal bottle cage using zip ties to connect to the tri bars. Just pull it out, drink from it and stick it back. Takes a couple of secs and I dont care if I have to be none aero for a couple of secs as I am way too slow to worry about that shite. Xlab behind the seat to hold spare bottle and a spare tyre, tape etc etc so that when I puncture I can fix it. The only draw back at the moment is the bottle cage I chose is rubbish and the bottle can vibrate forward on pants roads. I will be ripping it off and replacing v soon.
Also with this set up you dont need to re fill in a race, you can just toss your bottle and replace it, maybe keep the one behind you filled with concetrated energy stuff?
All this I am talking about is for IM distance races. I guess for less you can just get away with 1 bottle if there are enough aid stations.
So how about an Airfoil shaped straw with a round section on top for drinking ?
I agree but I am slightly sceptical about how much damage a round straw can make! a straw is not made of steel and surely if it was causing enough drag then it would just bend? would that not help with its drag issue? Does the width of your face or the size of your fist not make more difference? How about aero heals for your shoes or a more aero back (like on moto go laethers?). Should we have dimpled cycle clothing?
I dont use a straw as I am happy to just have a standard bottle between my bars but if I wanted a straw I would just stick one on.
I have the Bontrager aerobottle and LOVE it. i had the Profile Design one and it was great with the cobb bars that were designed to hold it but the mounting system you need with other bars is a pain looks ridiculous. the bontrager one has straps that are easy to use and a dimpled neoprene cover that is nice. i thought id take it off until i noticed the relief on it that should make it more aero. i have used a bottle b/n the bars and its okay but just way less convenient to use. the aerobottle seems to be working fine for Crowie. Hell, TJ rolled a sub-2 hr split at FL a couple weeks ago with a front hydration system. you can geek out about the straw or you can do what works best for you. staying hydrated in a long race >>>> than the minor aero difference. Olympic or shorter = bottle b/n the bars for me. HIM or IM = aerobottle.
Sounds like sense to me. My aero bars broke today so I may try your set up too.
Anyone else have issues racking their bike with the Bonty Aero Race Pack or Profile Aerodrink? I can’t hook the brake levers on my base bar over the transition rack because the Race Pack/Aerodrink is in the way. I have racked my bike using the saddle nose but my seat is high and I often have to angle the bike to get it out.
Any ideas or tips?