After having some of the same frustrations with my AquaCell that others have voiced on this forum. I decided to try to find a solution. Keeping the straws very short works, but it makes it much harder to drink. Having the tubes long enough to drink without moving my head much meant lots of straw hanging out in the wind and potential blindness and/or tracheotomy, neither of which would improve my bike split.
My plan was to replace the “soft” top of the aerodrink straws with camelback tubing and a bite valve, making it a bit softer and more blunt. So I ordered two tube extender kits from Campmor (5.99 each + shipping - I couldn’t find 'em locally). As I was working to get the tube around the harder bottom straw (very tight fit), I realized that the camelbak tube was almost exactly the same diameter as the straw, so I could replace the straw altogether and just use a longer section of camelbak tubing. Works like a champ. I cut the camelbak tubing to the desired length and stuck it into the bottle. Done.
Advantages:
Softer/safer tubing, and as such, I can have a longer straw, so I can keep my eyes on the road while I drink instead of hunching/looking down.
Bite valve, which I like.
The straw slumps out of wind instead of standing straight up.
If you are really concerned about aero, the tubing is soft enough that when you are not drinking you can actually stuff the entire tube down into the bottle, so only the bite valve is exposed, then pull it back up only when you want to drink.
Disadvantage:
You do have to use one hand to initiate drinking - since the straw isn’t rigid, you cannot just move your mouth to the opening and drink.
Sure, the two kits + shipping cost more than 1/2 again as much as the original bottle, but in my mind it’s a much, much better system this way.
I’ll be happy on the day when I get so fast that I actually have to worry about the wind drag of a straw that is right in front on my body in the wind path.
That being said I really like my aquacell and the straw that came with it. I hate the mounting bracket but I was able to make it work somewhat OK with tie-wraps instead of the supplied velcros/rubber bands.
Yeah, it’s not a big concern of mine, either, but sinking the straw seems like a nice added benefit, even if I won’t use it.
As far as mounting goes, I haven’t had any trouble, easiest on and off of any bottle I’ve owned. I think it depends highly on the specifics of your bar configuration. I have carbon strykes, and I just loop a single rubberband around the rearward post of one extension, then out around the bottle, and loop it around the other post. The bars secure the bottle left/right and the band keeps it tight to the stem, so there’s no room to move. Takes me about 10 seconds to add or remove the bottle.
I had the same thought. I kept the hard straw for the in-tube portion, so I can get the dregs out of the bottom, but have the camelbak tubing flush with the top using an elbow connector. I’m keeping the tubing out of the way via velcro tape wrapped around the hose near the bite valve - loop side on the tubing, hook side on the bottle. This keeps it tucked out of the way and close to my hand when it comes time to take a sip.
I wonder if you could just order the tube that comes with the NeverReach system. I’ve seen it and it has some sort of stiff but adjustable collar around the end of the drink tube. You can move it and it stays where you move it. Perhaps you could adapt it to the AquaCell to make something which would give you the flexibility you want without forcing you to lift the tube to drink.
and the straws “extended” (they are probably about 2-3" longer than they will be when I’m finished tweaking it)
and one with the straws “down”
Note: stuffing the straws down is easier/harder depending on the length of the straw, obviously. It’s also more challenging to get the straw to behave in the smaller container. In reality, I doubt I’ll actually bother to put them up/down when riding, I’m just not that concerned over a few seconds, but it is nice to know that you can do this, and it may be handy during transportation.)
