I got this – https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LB9RNST to get rid of the bottle on the P2 (2012) on the downtube and am curious if there is any difference to having the bottles straight up and down vs canted back at an angle?
I’m running up and down because I think that they will stay in better over bumps (but no real proof).
I’m also doing a bottle between the arms with the idea being water between the arms and energy on the back * 2 which should work for a IM. (gel in the bag on the top tube).
Obviously the most important part is being able to safely access the bottles. Beyond that I would say probably straight up and down so the bottles don’t launch. If you can’t access the bottles or the bottles always launch out of the holders then they are useless.
I used the same setup for my last IM but I did one nutrition bottle BTA and the other on the left side bottle holder BTS. I went this route because I always want to be taking in nutrition. The less access I have to it the less I’ll take in. Since my race was pretty moderate in temperature I only needed to pull the water bottle occasionally but making sure I finish the bottle before the next station. I put the water on the right side holder because that is the direction I’m most comfortable reaching for a bottle so I should be constantly taking in nutrition and sporadically taking in water. Once I’m finished with my BTA nutrition bottle I dump that at the next aid station and pull up the other nutrition bottle. Now I have the ability to take on 2 water bottles at each aid station if needed (both BTS). I was planning for a 5hr ride so I started with one 1.5hr bottle BTA (extra calories to catch up a little from the swim) and one 2 hr bottle. At special needs (special needs was like 60-65 miles in) I had two more 1 hr bottles that I picked up. I supplemented the ride with some gels when needed (probably 4-5 total).
If you don’t need to drink from the bottle often angle it and toe rubberband to it to prevent and launching. Then when you need bottle flick off rubber band and you’re good to go. First time I used bts bottle I kept hitting it when getting on my bike so angled them and looks better and never launched one once I added the rubber band.
If you don’t need to drink from the bottle often angle it and rubber band to it to prevent launching. Then when you need bottle flick off rubber band and you’re good to go. First time I used bts bottle I kept hitting it when getting on my bike so angled them and looks better and never launched one once I added the rubber band.
Those freebie rubber wrist bands they give out, with the slogins/sayings on them, work great for this.
If launches become an issue, I highly recommend the Topeak tri cages. Heavy, but it’s just a better design for a bts cage than a standard cage. Never launched a bottle, and easier to use since you pull the bottle out towards you.