This could be a stupid question but I couldn’t find any data on it. I’ve also never used a between the aerobar setup before.
Should I mount my bottle facing “forwards†(aka pull out towards aerobar shifters) or “backwards†(aka pull out towards body)? And why?
I feel like the backwards setup works better for my bike but I’m curious if there is an aero penalty at 0 yaw. And/or if the other direction makes it easier to use.
Aero-wise, it’s probably a wash (unless the bottle has a rounded top, even then it’s probably <<1W). Ergo-wise, I find it easier to pull the bottle forward, but it’s hard to position it where it doesn’t interfere with the extensions and/or head unit. Because of this, I have mine mounted backwards (pull out towards me) so the bottle/cage can sit right behind the head unit. YMMV.
equally aero both directions
probably slightly more aero pointing forward
I place mine forwards, but its driven mostly by aesthetics, more than aero reasons.
I use a pull-out-forward mounted cage since my BTA mount is designed that way.
For me, drinking-end of the bottle must be pointing back toward me, so the bottom of the bottle is pointing ahead to the road like it’s backwards in the cage. (My cage is pointed normally, meaning open end forward, so pull-out-for.)
The reason for this is that due to bumps in the road, even a well-tightened full water bottle can and will eventually have its screw-on lid loosen if it’s pointed with the drinking end forward, and then suddenly you’ve lost all your hydration as it leaks out under the loose caps. This has happened to me pretty much every time I do a 90+ minute ride and I forget to ‘reverse’ the water bottle. It’s also not a matter of undertightening the lid - it happens on every brand of water bottle I’ve tried, at least 5 different ones. I’m not sure why it loosens only in this forward position, but it absolutely does, and if I reverse the bottle in the cage, no such problems.
Put regular bottle on the downtube and use BTA bottle with a straw sticking out for aero bars. That makes more sense to me.
I put mine facing forward. Mostly because I don’t want the water dripping on bars and or headset.
I use a pull-out-forward mounted cage since my BTA mount is designed that way.
For me, drinking-end of the bottle must be pointing back toward me, so the bottom of the bottle is pointing ahead to the road like it’s backwards in the cage. (My cage is pointed normally, meaning open end forward, so pull-out-for.)
The reason for this is that due to bumps in the road, even a well-tightened full water bottle can and will eventually have its screw-on lid loosen if it’s pointed with the drinking end forward, and then suddenly you’ve lost all your hydration as it leaks out under the loose caps. This has happened to me pretty much every time I do a 90+ minute ride and I forget to ‘reverse’ the water bottle. It’s also not a matter of undertightening the lid - it happens on every brand of water bottle I’ve tried, at least 5 different ones. I’m not sure why it loosens only in this forward position, but it absolutely does, and if I reverse the bottle in the cage, no such problems.
I’m curious if your bottle cage is too tight, causing the mouth of the bottle to warp which leads to the cap coming loose. I use XLAB Gorilla cages on the rear of my bike but the “looser” Torpedo BTA, and haven’t had any issues like this using various types of bottles. Also, do your bottles go through drastic temperature changes from when you start riding to when they leak?
I am using the clan torpedo with its own cage. So not sure why the unscrewing occurs
I put mine facing forward. Mostly because I don’t want the water dripping on bars and or headset.
I’ve found the Purist bottles with the “watergate” top won’t leak/drip when pointing down, even when “open” and riding over rough pavement. Previously used the CamelBak Podiums, and they would leak water every time I hit a bump unless kept the valve in the locked position (which means they have to be opened and closed every time you drink).
I also only run water in the bottles (gels for cals), so admittedly the downside of a leak is less than if they were full of Gatorade.
The torpedo cage lives up to its name for me. Many a bottle has been launched going downhill. Cracked the torpedo bottle doing this and have now put a gorilla cage there.
Aero-wise I doubt this makes any difference. Hence the bottle is supposed to be inside the vacuum of your forearms. If this is done right there is no airflow to his the bottle and create extra drag.
My setup is so that my elbows are too narrow for a bottle to fit between. I took an Elite aero bottle, cut off the tip and forced an old Camelbak hose through. A little Velcro around the hose and on top of the bottle and it stays put.
After filling it I simply use an electrical tape to fix it in the cage and that’s it. Gives me the most aero advantage since my elbows can be positioned narrow enough and no need to raise the bottle where it’s in the way of my chin when in aero tuck.
I face mine forward because it makes it easier for me to drink. And that probably makes it more aero since I don’t need to adjust position or pick my head up. So I’d say that the most aero will be the way it faces that keeps you in position the best.
Aero-wise I doubt this makes any difference. Hence the bottle is supposed to be inside the vacuum of your forearms. If this is done right there is no airflow to his the bottle and create extra drag.
My setup is so that my elbows are too narrow for a bottle to fit between. I took an Elite aero bottle, cut off the tip and forced an old Camelbak hose through. A little Velcro around the hose and on top of the bottle and it stays put.
After filling it I simply use an electrical tape to fix it in the cage and that’s it. Gives me the most aero advantage since my elbows can be positioned narrow enough and no need to raise the bottle where it’s in the way of my chin when in aero tuck.
Very ingenious
I use a tire so in a similar way but need more water
How do you refill the bottle while racing
I have never launched the bottle from the Torpedo cage, but I have had them come loose when riding over rough road. I wrap a cable tie (not too tight, so I can get the bottle out after the race) around the bottle and cage near the open end. A strong rubber band or o-ring of the proper size would also act as a retainer. The cable tie goes through the retainer indentation in the cage, and keeps the bottle from bouncing loose. Enough deflection available to allow the bottle to be removed after the race.
Thanks all. I went with the backwards configuration because it fit a little better. Worked well today on a test ride!
Aero-wise I doubt this makes any difference. Hence the bottle is supposed to be inside the vacuum of your forearms. If this is done right there is no airflow to his the bottle and create extra drag.
My setup is so that my elbows are too narrow for a bottle to fit between. I took an Elite aero bottle, cut off the tip and forced an old Camelbak hose through. A little Velcro around the hose and on top of the bottle and it stays put.
After filling it I simply use an electrical tape to fix it in the cage and that’s it. Gives me the most aero advantage since my elbows can be positioned narrow enough and no need to raise the bottle where it’s in the way of my chin when in aero tuck.
Very ingenious
I use a tire so in a similar way but need more water
How do you refill the bottle while racing
For now haven’t had the need to refill as I’ve only. raced 70.3’s and quarters with 3 bottles max (only use this one in a 1/4th and an empty aero bottle behind the saddle as fairing to increase aerodynamics). Will need to think about filling when doing a full, but that wil not be for the next couple of years. Making the bottle this way for now was the perfect way without compromising aerodynamics of my body but still taking a 3rd bottle.
Some day I need to find me a narrow BTA with refill valve, or 3d print one my own maybe…
Did you reach out to our customer service team regarding this? Happy to take a look and see if we see anything that could have caused the launching.
I mounted mine (Xlab Torpedo) under my aerobars. I like it better that the top area of my aerobars is free. Not sure of the aero penalty but i prefer it this way. I can refill my hydration from the top.
