I’m building a QR CD 0.1 and am starting to think about hydration systems. Up to now, I’ve always done the conventional round water bottles. I’ve been thinking of going with systems such as Torhans or Speedfil. My goal is to avoid having to reach, come off the aero position, and basically slow down to have a drink. Any advice? I’m an engineer (though not a bike expert) and don’t feel confident about bracing bottles onto my aerobars.
Not sure what your concern with the bta setup is. Works great and have never heard of a failure of the bars due to a bottle…
But to each their own. Speedfil a2 (you will probably rule out because it is essentially bta) and the Trohans 20 or 30 are your best bets.
You don’t brace the bottle on your aerobars you get a bottle cage and ziptie it. (thats the easiest way) There are tons of people on the forum that do just that and I have never heard on an issue. I’ve never had one and was one of the first few people to ride with one like before they got really popular so like 2009ish. It has always worked perfect.
I use the Profile AeroDrink bta. It may not be THE most aero, but I love the system, it is perfect for me and has never let me down. I can drink anytime I want without moving my hands ever.
Lots and lots of folks around here use the bta system without any issues. I tried it last season but never really could get used to it and I found that I ddin’t drink enough. I ultimately switched back to a Profile bottle at the beginning of the year and then ordered a Torhans 20 which I’ve been using for the last month or so. For me it’s simple and I don’t forget to drink with the straw in my face.
I’ve been using a combination of frame mounted Speedfil standard and aero Profile depending on the distance. Speedfil is a great system IMO. Www.invisciddesign.com
Thanks for the comments everyone. I think I will go with the speedfil 40 oz. bottle (mounted on the down-tube).
ummm… are you a camel? don’t do that. go with the a2.
What’s the a2? Their 20 oz bottle?
yes. but you can swap it out with any bottle of your own. really the key is the straw & lid (which contains the re-fill feature). 40oz of water is a ton to carry on your bike at once, given that most 70.3 and 140.6 races have water ever ~20mi on the bike. run a 20-24oz bottle in the front and re-fill as needed, and then a second cage either on the down tube or behind the seat.
As someone who need a lot of water when I ride/run, I’d agree with the 40oz bottle. As the saying goes, “better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”. I can see the logic with races providing refills every ~20 miles, but what about training rides? I know when I go out for my ride it’s typically a loop with no place to get refills. And if you don’t think you’ll need 40oz, don’t fill it that much. Better to have the flexibility than find yourself in need.
Absolutely right. I’d go with a large bottle, too.
For HIM and IM, I use the Speedil original on the frame, and the A2 bta. For the A2, I don’t even use a cage, since my aero bars are relatively close together, I use either large rubber bands or Velcro straps to hold the bottle in place.
This gives me two bite valves, one for calories and another for hydration. Works for me, but everyone has their own preferences.
“better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”
Spare wheels, bike, clothing … you need a butler, not a bottle 
either you reach with one hand to drink or you reach with your hands to refill some contraption.
whether you have to come out of aero for either operation depends on if you are more or less coordinated than a drunk.
I’m building a QR CD 0.1 and am starting to think about hydration systems. Up to now, I’ve always done the conventional round water bottles. I’ve been thinking of going with systems such as Torhans or Speedfil. My goal is to avoid having to reach, come off the aero position, and basically slow down to have a drink. Any advice? I’m an engineer (though not a bike expert) and don’t feel confident about bracing bottles onto my aerobars.
I’ve been happy with my Profile between the bars setup. Very convienent to drink…its a constant reminder for me. For long races or training I have the Xlab Super Wing. I have gotten comfortable grabbing a bottle while in aero, filling the Profile, and replacing the bottle back in the rear mount without coming out of aero.
either you reach with one hand to drink or you reach with your hands to refill some contraption.
whether you have to come out of aero for either operation depends on if you are more or less coordinated than a drunk.
You drink many more times than you refill “some contraption”… And you drink more often if it is very convenient. That’s a good thing.
But drinking is a faster, simpler operation than refilling, and you can do it without breaking aero at higher levels of intoxication.
either you reach with one hand to drink or you reach with your hands to refill some contraption.
whether you have to come out of aero for either operation depends on if you are more or less coordinated than a drunk.
You drink many more times than you refill “some contraption”… And you drink more often if it is very convenient. That’s a good thing.
Kinda like how you post
But drinking is a faster, simpler operation than refilling, and you can do it without breaking aero at higher levels of intoxication.
either you reach with one hand to drink or you reach with your hands to refill some contraption.
whether you have to come out of aero for either operation depends on if you are more or less coordinated than a drunk.
You drink many more times than you refill “some contraption”… And you drink more often if it is very convenient. That’s a good thing.
Here ya go: http://flexrsports.com/products/flexr-sports-bottles
Make sure you get all 4 bottles and let me know where you are racing so I can point and laugh. Seriously though, my recommendation would be the A2.