I’m doing IM Ohio 70.3 this weekend. I’ve decided that I’m going with a profile design bottle holder BTA (30 oz.). I’m planning on riding dirty on the saddle (no bottle cage holder). I have my tube taped under the saddle and a small xlab stealth pocket on the top tube holding my tire valves, two co2 cartridges, co2 inflator, crack pipe and 3 gels. In other words, I’m going minimal to reduce weight and drag.
What would be the best way to refill my BTA hydration system? I’m thinking I could simply ditch it and start with a 24oz Gatorade bottle, but I’d have to take it out every time I drink which is not the most efficient position every time I drink. The other alternative is to stop at the 30 mile aid station for a total refill. What’s my best option? In the past, I’ve used an additional rear cage behind the saddle and filled the entire BTA while riding.
Fill the 30oz BTA bottle, bring a 20oz bottle on the downtube to dump in once you’ve emptied the BTA. Snag gatorades as necessary from aid stations to top up.
Screwing up nutrition is going to cost you way more time than the minimal weight/aero savings you’re debating
I could … start with a 24oz Gatorade bottle, but I’d have to take it out every time I drink which is not the most efficient position every time I drink.
What do people here think about the cost of taking the time to fill up a bottle on the fly vs the cost of pulling a bottle out to drink every time you do take a drink? It’s not obvious which to me is better/worse. I dislike having the straw in my face and bending over to drink personally, though if it were demonstrably faster I’d get over it . . .
After years of trying different things I settled on a very simple setup for 70.3s. One bottle between the bars, one bottle behind the seat, take on one bottle from an aid station. It’s hard to screw up. The time out of aero drinking from a bottle is actually overblown IMO and better than the hassles of refilling, etc.
I also have my tube taped under the seat and tire tools in an xlab bento on the top tube. I can’t believe the chuck wagon setups I see on bikes at races.
I think it’s slower to take the bottle out every time to drink, because you’re getting out of the aero power position every time. I had a guy crash in front of me 0.1 miles into the bike once because he was reaching for his rear cage. Funny thing is that the pro cyclists at the TDF use standard cages to drink
I could … start with a 24oz Gatorade bottle, but I’d have to take it out every time I drink which is not the most efficient position every time I drink.
What do people here think about the cost of taking the time to fill up a bottle on the fly vs the cost of pulling a bottle out to drink every time you do take a drink? It’s not obvious which to me is better/worse. I dislike having the straw in my face and bending over to drink personally, though if it were demonstrably faster I’d get over it . . .
Chuck Wagon set ups lol! So true. Hilarious when people people ride with dual rear bottle cages, BTA and downtube bottles for a 70.3 or a ginormous speed fill. Thirsty much?
After years of trying different things I settled on a very simple setup for 70.3s. One bottle between the bars, one bottle behind the seat, take on one bottle from an aid station. It’s hard to screw up. The time out of aero drinking from a bottle is actually overblown IMO and better than the hassles of refilling, etc.
I also have my tube taped under the seat and tire tools in an xlab bento on the top tube. I can’t believe the chuck wagon setups I see on bikes at races.
I think it’s slower to take the bottle out every time to drink, because you’re getting out of the aero power position every time.
Why do you need to break aero to remove/drink/replace a bottle from your BTA setup? It’s a one-handed operation with only one arm/elbow out of aero position for a very short time each time you drink (every 10 minutes or so). Probably less aero penalty than having a straw sticking up 100% of the time.
This is a legit consideration. The on the course bottles do tend to be a bit smaller but while mine rattle a little I have never had one launch. And I’m usually only taking on the third bottle with maybe 20-30 mins to go in the bike so it’s never been a big deal to me.
I think it’s slower to take the bottle out every time to drink, because you’re getting out of the aero power position every time.
Why do you need to break aero to remove/drink/replace a bottle from your BTA setup? It’s a one-handed operation with only one arm/elbow out of aero position for a very short time each time you drink (every 10 minutes or so). Probably less aero penalty than having a straw sticking up 100% of the time.
This. Not to mention you’re out of aero more than you think in most races (cornering, climbing, no-passing zones) when you can take a quick sip.
i have an xlab sidekick cage mounted BTA. i don’t even get my hand off the pad to pull the bottle out and drink. for a 70.3 i use a BTA and aero bottle on the down tube. i haven’t had to use more than this, but if I had to, I would replace the bottle i brought BTA - toss it and get something from the aid stations. not sure if those bottle are a good fit or not, but having an angled cockpit might help.
I’ve decided to go with a single BTA bottle cage with the front of the bottle facing me. I’ll discard at aid stations and grab a new bottle at each. Kind of ridiculous I didn’t ditch the hydration system with the straw a long time ago. This is what you see most pros doing.
i use the speedfil A2, and just tuck the straw down so it’s hidden most of the time. I don’t mind it up, it actually reminds me to stay on top of hydration. For me, the Giro Aerohead isn’t the best for staying in aero and grabbing a bottle to drink, since the lens covers the top half of my face. So, another reason I stick with the A2 and straw.
Funny thing is that the pro cyclists at the TDF use standard cages to drinkThis is a UCI thing. Bottles must be in a cage inside the triangle. Cages anywhere else are not allowed.
I’m planning on riding dirty on the saddle (no bottle cage holder)… In other words, I’m going minimal to reduce weight and drag.This may be less aero. I just referenced an old Cervelo wind tunnel study they did in which they determined that BTS bottles may (probably do) improve aero for most people. So, even if you do not drink from it, you might want to consider a BTS for improved aero.
BTA with a straw, and 2 bottles BTS. Tuck the straw when not in use. And fill the front on the fly with the bottles in back. If I used On course liquids, I’d maybe grab a bottle as needed at aid stations to refill the front. But I don’t like the idea of trying to manage that on the fly.
My nutrition goes in an aero bottle on the seat tube and use a refillable Xlab Torpedo for water. I switched to this setup about 10 or 12 70.3s ago after trying multiple other setups.
Funny thing is that the pro cyclists at the TDF use standard cages to drinkThis is a UCI thing. Bottles must be in a cage inside the triangle. Cages anywhere else are not allowed.
I’m one of those guys, but I need 20+oz an hour or I crash and burn. I basically drink straight through a HIM or full IM. I even killed 30oz of liquid 2 weeks ago on the Carolina Beach Double Sprint which ends with a swim so you can’t be over eating.
I run a speedfil and the double BTS if I’m doing Infinit to make sure I have up to 6 hours or nutrition or a speedfil with a single empty BTS if I’m on a Gatorade/water from aid with base salts and nutrition.
Sucks to be a sweater but the Chuck Wagon is necessary or else you end up crying dry tears
