I got a saddle wing last week with all the doo dads, (nut, straps etc…) I put it on, and started out on my long ride for the week yesterday morning. About 10 miles in I hit my first good bump and heard a nice cracking sound. I looked back and one of the cages that came with it broke off and was dangling by one screw. I pulled the bottle out of it and stuffed it in my jersey and continued on. As the day progressed, the other bottle kept getting launched at every moderate bump in the road. So eventually I stuffed the other bottle in the jersey as well. So when I get home after 70 miles I notice that one of the two tubes I had strapped on was gone as well. The cage breaking I’m thinking was caused by a 20 oz. bottle in a cheap cage. And I could assume some of the launching was caused by the same cheap cage. But my other question is, is this normal for stuff to be falling off those things that much? The road I was riding has a few rough spots but I didn’t think it was that bad.
I’m guessing it was the cages. I bought the flat wing a few weeks ago and put Trek Bat cages on it. I did an 80 mile ride on Saturday on a new route. At one point the bike path changed from smooth to very bumpy. I expected to look back and see at least one of the bottles missing, but I wa happy to see both of them still there. Because of the little tab that holds the bottle in, it does take a little effort to get the bottle out, but I don’t mind if it means the bottle will be there when I need it.
What H2O cages are you using?
Where do you have your straps located? (2) per spare tire or just one?
My Saddle Wing is only used in IM distance. Also…I’ve found the cheaper cages (alum) work best. You can then bend them “in” to provide extra grip. They look pretty cheesey though. Zipp or basically any composite cage should be called “launchers” rather then cages on the SaddleWing. I laugh b/c you can see it coming a mile away…
As for the straps, they basically only work with tubulars. However, I’d recommend using duct or electrical tape for the spare tubular underneath the Wing. Check out a pix of DeBoom set-up. Otherwise, on the back of the seat post. The strap set-up causes issues getting the bottles back in the cages…
Hope all helps.
I was using the profile e-cage so yeah I would agree that some of the launching was due in part because of the cheap as cage.
The straps where mounted with the grommet under the bottom cage screw. I was only putting one in each. Maybe I’ll need to figure something else out for the tubes.
Yeah…you’ll need to have (2) straps (upper and lower cage holes) for the spare tubes.
Also…for training (clincher) tubes, I’d recommend putting a little air in them (makes it look like a tubular) when strapping. Keeps them in there nice and tight…