What else am I supposed to do? I’ve been reading some posts where people more or less mock these things and the people that use them. I’m getting ready for my 1st half and trying to figure out the whole nutrition thing. Taping gels to the tube seems just as unaero as a bento box and trying to shove that much stuff in my jersey pockets would seem to cause problems logistically if nothing else. Also reaching back there would probably be pretty unaero.
While I’m thinking about it, how many and in what configuration is the “proper” one for water bottles. The course I am doing only has one water station on the bike so I’m going to need more than just the one frame mounted I have, pretty sure. But again my searching has led me to believe that behind the saddle mounted cages are evil etc. etc. I don’t think I’d really like the handlebar waterbottles but I’m willing to take suggestions.
I do agree with all the posts about people who load down their super-aero bikes with tons of unnecessary crap, and if it were feasible I wouldn’t put as much as a saddle bag on mine but realistically somewhere you have to compromise so where?
I’m going with an aero bottle up front, and a regular-size bottle of concentrated electrolyte/kcal mix in a cage on the frame (probably something like GU2O in 4x strength). I’ll start with the aero bottle carrying a mix of whatever I want, and then just re-fill that with water at the aid stations since I have the frame bottle w/ the mix.
For the run, I’ll pick up some gel packets (that have electrolytes) in T2, and put them in my singlet jersey’s pocket.
What else am I supposed to do? I’ve been reading some posts where people more or less mock these things and the people that use them.
I love it…people you don’t know, have a miniscule chance of ever meeting and you’re worried about the things they might think about something that unless you posted it here would never know about? Many folks, myself included, use something along the lines of a Bento Box in longer training and longer races, and I don’t see anyone’s head hanging in shame.
If this works for you, use it until you can figure out an alternative. For me as I learn more about my body and what does and does not work, I know that I need some solid food in longer training and racing—gels and drinks just don’t do it for me, at least not now. So until and unless I can teach my body to use something other than solid food, I’ll use a Bento.
Why are you worried about what a couple of people on a forum have said?? Sure, some don’t like bentos, aero bottles, rear cage systems, etc…I actually know one regular contributor here who always decried the use of rear cage systems and now uses one.
Some people will make fun of slower riders with with race wheels, aero helmets, expensive bikes, etc…
There are always people who will find a reason to mock others.
There is nothing wrong with using bento boxes, rear cage systems, aerobottles, or taping gels to the top tube. You will find pros doing all of these things. On the other hand, it is unneccessary to use all of those in conjunction with two frame bottles. After all, there is support on the course.
Sure, it would be nice to do all your races with one water bottle and that’s it. Unfortunately, if you’re racing long course that’s not possible. To make matters worse, many aero frames these days only have one water bottle cage braze-on. Just figure out your nutritional needs, make a plan that works best for you logistically, try it out in training, and go with it - just don’t go overboard(USE the aid stations).
From what I’ve seen, it seems like pretty much any water bottle setup is going to yield pretty much the same aero effect for you if it’s comfortable and easy for you to reach/use. For that distance race, in the past I used a profile bottle in front with two frame bottles (one water and one accelerade). The aero bottle was just convenient and when it emptied, I just took a frame bottle and dumped it into the aero bottle so I only had to reach down once or twice. I taped gel to the frame and it worked fine.
It’s not that I’m worried what they think of me (I could care less) and you’re right I’ll probably never meet them but I was assuming they had these opinions for a reason. So if you’re saying the aero effects aren’t that bad compared to what you gain by having proper nutrition, that’s basically what I was wondering. Thanks
Carrying enough water and calories is always worth whatever weight or aero cost is involved. With one water station (seriously?), I’d have the Profile on the bars and two other bottles. Leave T1 with all three full, and don’t leave that one aid station without all three full. I drank 6 bottles at the Ralph’s half, and it was cold out! I still finished the race 4 pounds light (yes, dehydrated on a sub-60 degree day).
I think for the IM I’ll go with the Profile bottle up front – I always use it and love it. It reminds me to drink and makes it easy to do so. I’ll have calories in a seat-tube bottle (1200 per loop), and rear holders for spare drink to dump into the Profile. I learned at Ralph’s and in recent test rides that I need to drink almost twice as much as I thought I did.
If you are using gels instead of liquid calories, you need a way to carry them. A Bento box works, and don’t let any yahoos tell you not to use it. Mine had Snickers bars in it at Lake Placid.
“Bento” comed from Japanese and it means something akin to “box lunch”–typically a small container with separate compartments for different foods. I would ask my (Japanese) wife for a better description, but she’s already gone to bed. When I bought a bento box for my first Ironman, she saw it and cracked up.
This question is not for me since I really like my Bento. I’ve used it for a few races, IM 1/2IM and it was awesome. I put clif bars in it for more solid nutrition and my multitool. I have another gel flask for my gel needs. I know this is overboard but I’ve never had a nutrition problem before. Did I mention that I also had a profile aerobottle and one downtube bottle.
Do you know what your nutritional requirements are for a ride of that duration? If not you should really figure that out. Then let that determine what you bring. Worry about the bento box and everything else after you know how much you need.
It seems that the more space people have to carry stuff the more stuff people seem to carry. Bring what you need and/or plan on utilizing the aid stations
I agree with Brian, and a bit of a minimalist as to carrying “stuff”. The Bento box in itself isn’t a bad idea. However combine it with dual frame bottles, dual behind the seat bottles, with a big zip bag for tire/tube needs, 4 or 5 C02, and a couple of gel flasks and you have enough stuff for a weekend camping trip. The 16 lb aero wonder just took on 10 lbs and a bunch of drag lbs too.
Then on the other side of the coin, if you feel you need to carry all that stuff, your comfort may more than make up for the aero/weight penalty.
I don’t know why anyone would mock using a Bento Box. They’re very handy and they sit very well on the flattened top tube of my QR Kilo. My only suggetion is to ride with one occassionally when training to make sure your knees don’t brush against it while riding. It would really suck to find that out during a race. I’ve seen several top pros including Steve Larsen and Francois Chabaud with them on their bikes and I bet no one is going to mock their bike setups.
A Bento Box is the difference between a fast-looking bike and a slow-looking bike. Since this Forum is all about fast-looking bikes, your choice should be obvious.
I’m currently using my bento box to hold my repair stuff, since I haven’t found a saddle bag that fits well on my bike (cervelo). I have an xlab flat wing…but I’ve lost a couple of spare tubes using the xstraps on that, so I don’t really trust it any more. Of course, it dawned on my this week that my cycling jerseys have pockets on the back…almost as if they were designed to carry stuff in them. Who knew!!!
If your racing long course, then you could always just throw on a bike jersey at t1 that will hold all your stuff. I thought I read that Gordo did that…but don’t quote me on that.
Easy options are - put a top on in T1 for the bike - it’ll tak e seconds. Then you have pockets in the back for food.
Or us ethe Bento - it will have no effect at all on your aerodynamics. Sure - maybe if you were Lance Armstrong and hadn’t spent days in the wind tunnel then everything will be optimal, but you’re not, and you won’t notice anything.
As to the water - howabout using a camelbak - that is actually meant to be aerodynamic - the slight hump on your back. Combined with the bottle and the water station - surely thats enough for 56 miles ?
