Just wanted to let everyone know that Giant has released an updated version of the Bento and Front Hydration. According the letter I got in the box, I believe this upgrade is free to anyone who purchased a 2016 model with the originals. I even got a nice Giant Triathlon Bag with my upgrade.
I haven’t had a chance to try them out yet ( I will tomorrow), but from the looks of it, they seem to be A LOT better.
The front hydration fill hole has been moved back, which makes it easier to fill during a ride. The rubber baffle is thicker and seems more durable. There is a plastic cap that snaps on to hold the rubber baffle in place and also the rubber extender that holds the straw.
The Bento box is no longer taper so the capacity is much greater that the last one.
One note: The bottle is taller than the 2016 model, so very low and narrow arm rests will not fit nicely. I am currently having this problem but am working on a solution.
Otherwise, yes, the front bottle is larger and much more secure. Bento is larger and also secures its contents.
Went for a ride today with the new setup. I purposely filled the hydration up, almost to the top. No bueno. I need to double check but I think the fill cap is only a single baffle design, which is probably the reason why. Water squirts out of the top continuously, sometimes 4 inches high. Once the water lowered though, it was a lot better. A side note too, is that I was riding pretty harsh roads. So we just have to fill it about 1/2 to 3/4 full.
The bottle also came with a “no fill” plug. I believe if you use that, you won’t have a problem with leakage; but then you can not fill on-the-go. I did test this and filled the front hydration with my water bottle. It worked great. You can now pull your bottle out and the fill cap stays in place. Overall, I believe the new design is much better. I’m going to see if I can help with the squirting water somehow.
I didn’t have many problems with the other set up, but this is much improved. I have 3 rides on it and haven’t had problems with it. I’ve filled it with two bottles worth of water, so guessing 40oz each time. There are droplets that pop out a little at first when I hit a bump, but not enough to be an issue. This new set up takes away any of the frustrations I had about this bike and I now have to say this is the best of the 5 TT bikes I’ve had.
I didn’t have many problems with the other set up, but this is much improved. I have 3 rides on it and haven’t had problems with it. I’ve filled it with two bottles worth of water, so guessing 40oz each time. There are droplets that pop out a little at first when I hit a bump, but not enough to be an issue. This new set up takes away any of the frustrations I had about this bike and I now have to say this is the best of the 5 TT bikes I’ve had.
Good to hear. Just curious, is your fill cap a single baffle too?
Any idea how to secure the di2 junction box inside the bento? the older version had a little slide in clip but this newer one doesn’t have that. Is the velcro included in the bag anything to do with it?
Overall the bottle and bento is much better, I have a small frame and the bottle capacity has grown from 440ml to just under 740ml.
Nice touch by Giant to offer upgrades to 2016 customers too.
Any idea how to secure the di2 junction box inside the bento? the older version had a little slide in clip but this newer one doesn’t have that. Is the velcro included in the bag anything to do with it?
Overall the bottle and bento is much better, I have a small frame and the bottle capacity has grown from 440ml to just under 740ml.
Nice touch by Giant to offer upgrades to 2016 customers too.
I used the Velcro to secure it to my top tube inside the Bento.
Yes, it is a single. The roads around here are chip seal, so not the smoothest, but not horrible. I haven’t taken it on any of the really bad roads around town. When I did fill it all the way to the top, it did splash out a bit more.
Yea that’s what I did, grabbing it to charge looks a little fiddly but I suppose that’s a once in a blue moon job. Overall, very pleased with the new designs.
Now that the new hydration system has been out awhile, has anyone launched one on a ride?
I only ask because I finally put my new front water bottle on and lost it twice on my 2nd ride out. Of course, the ping pong ball size top latch broke so I’m needing a new one.
I’ve had the new hydration now for months with ZERO issue.
Put it to some serious test this weekend at St George. Completely full bottle on the rough chipseal, speed bumps, cattle guards… no ejections.
Ditto.
With the bottom wheel-hugging slider AND the top triangle piece locked in, I cannot imagine ever launching that bottle.
I have had trouble getting the top to snap on, though. I can get either the front or rear tab to lock on, but not both. I had it on once or twice when I first got it, but no luck since. It is such a tight snap, that something is no longer lining up nicely. Thus, I snap in the front and throw a strip of tape on each side to be sure.
Ah… I’m pretty sure my issue was probably caused by the top latch not being all the way locked in on both sides then. I was pretty surprised since on my first ride out I went over some really rough conditions and didn’t have a problem. Yet on my second ride, I flew over a small bump that I didn’t even get out of aero for and the bottle went flying.
I don’t have any problems with the bottle flying off. What I have problems with is getting the top triangle piece off to remove the bottle. That thing is on pretty snug.
I also shaved down the piece that clips on top to hold down the straw and rubber cap; where it meets with the triangle piece.
Stil have problems with liquids spitting out of the fill hole. Most of the time I’ll just use the one with out, or make sure I just have water in the tank.
