Why are so many manufacturers going to this? Is it cost savings? Aerodynamics? I doubt the latter, as there is no consensus on seat or down tube location. Something else? I really am eliminating a lot of frames from my search for this reason. Am out missing something?
check QR’s
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What size frame might you be talking about? I know on my very small bike, there is simply only room for one cage/bottle.
I don’t think it’s only small bikes. My 54cm cervelo dual has only once cage holder.
Have you ridden a bike with only one cage? Seriously, it’s no big deal. Since purchasing my P2SL I’ve NEVER given it a moment’s thought.
So many other options to choose from…for me:
Long training rides I use the seat-tube cage for spares & tools and ride with a camelback.
Short training rides (say 2hrs or less) one water bottle in the cage and tube/tools in my back pocket, or if I can’t be assed I’ll just carry the bottle in my pocket instead.
Long-course racing (and simulations) means an aero-bottle up front for water and calories in a bottle in the cage (tools taped under saddle).
Short-course means an aero-bottle (water) up front, remove the cage, no spares/tools.
I don’t use a saddle-bag (on an aero post?..puh-lease…) nor do I like that “top-heavy” feel of behind the saddle cages. Do you have pockets? Learn to use them. 
All jokes aside, if you’re eliminating frames from your wish-list based on the number of cage mounts then sorry, I’m afraid you ARE missing out.
I don’t know if there’s consensus, but one bottle on the downtube is faster than one bottle on the seattube.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/waterbottles.html
I think the idea is that most TTs are a short enough effort that you don’t need them and many triathletes use a drink system and/or put them behind the seat.
I guess an even better question is why would you buy an “aero” bike and put two big ass bottles in the frame? Please don’t tell me you would like to see a place for bottle cages on the seat tube of a P3 or Felt DA…it would be such a complete waste of money to buy those frames and to put two bottles on the frame…
A bottle in the middle jersey pocket works wonders.
In an olympic distance race you really shouldn’t ever have more than a full bottle on the bike. In a HIM or IM, then you should be able to get a bottle every 10 miles. Put an aero drink holder up front, and you are good to go!
Thus far, no one has really provided any justification for it. So is it a case of this is what many manufacturers ar doing, so the consumer will live to deal with it?
So through enough training and racing I’ve determined that optimum fluid intake for me is at least 20 oz/hour. Which means any rides over an hour I prefer to take at least one bottle with me. Setting aside caloric intake. Behind the seat holders I’ve found are dangerous, cumbersome and, depending on who you listen to, suboptimal from an aerodynamic perspective. I’ve never tried the camelback thing, but it doesn’t seem like a real option for racing. You talk about “long course” racing simulations; from what you’re saying, you’r taking the equivalent of 2 bottles with you. - as in a race, I prefer to not stop, or to limit the stops as much as possible - as a result, I’d be looking at 3 stops over the course of a 6 hour ride.
Try doing a long ride with a bottle in each of 2 back pockets. Talk about feeling like a weight.
It sounds like I’m in the minority here that this is an actual consideration in buying a frame. As Demerly might say, Interesting.
I thought the justification was pretty clear. Bottles ruin the effectiveness of aero shapes. And you don’t have to stop at race water stations, you just have to slow down a little. If you go out for a 6 hour training ride, hopefully there are a couple of places you can stop and refill.
When training I’d prefer to unclip as little as possible. My vote would be for manufacturers to include two sets of mounts on all bikes (including the P3) etc so that people can train easily and remove the cages for race day.
is this a joke?
maybe you should attach a gallon jug of water to front of your aerodynamic machine
Maybe you should read my post or perhaps just chill out.
I am pretty competitive but not so much that I give a crap about the debatable benefiits of different bottle positions WHEN I’M TRAINING (as I said read the post if you missed that). If anything as long as you’re riding position is consistent I’d rather train on a non-aero bike and get stronger because of it.
Come race day you take off your cages and do whatever you think is necessary to make your bike as aero as possible.
Thus far, no one has really provided any justification for it. So is it a case of this is what many manufacturers ar doing, so the consumer will live to deal with it?
You’re right, and I can’t. I’m just saying don’t knock it (having only one cage) 'til you try it…you might be surprised. Some outstanding bikes you’re missing out on if you think two frame mounts are a must-have…
So then it’s your contention that the loss in aero benefits (if any) from an extra (either down or seat tube, depending on which manufacturer you talk to) water bottle is greater than the loss from getting out of an aero position, slowing down, swerving for the bottles strewn in front of the aid station, sticking an arm out into otherwise clean air and grbbing a bottle (hopefully) every 10 miles or so. Debateable at best.
Your, and the OP’s, complaints are valid regarding the missing mount, but I think the reason manufacturer’s omit them are as stated above.
I too drink about 20oz/hr. For my 6 hour training rides I have the bottle cage on the seat tube(Felt B2) plus a Minoura 2 bottle holder on the rear. This requires me to make only one stop during my ride. If racing a IM, I remove the Minoura and add a Jetstream on the front. I put a concentrated carbo mix in the seat tube bottle and just top off the Jetstream with water as needed. This setup works really well for me. I have also done IMs where I just grab a bottle of Gatorade at each aid station and that’s it. Just one bottle to carry. I’m a great believer in KISS.
When training I’d prefer to unclip as little as possible. My vote would be for manufacturers to include two sets of mounts on all bikes (including the P3) etc so that people can train easily and remove the cages for race day.
I’m with you on this one. I prefer not to stop at all on training rides and I do shed unnecessary crap from my bike for race day.
my bet is money. why does my p2sl only have a seat tube bottle when cervelo says it’s dumb to race with a bottle there. the alu p3 and soloist both have downtube mounts so it’s obviously possible.
I drink A LOT when it is hot out and humid. And I don’t stop during the training rides so I’ve usually got a seat tube bottle, an aero bottle, two behind the seat, and two in jersey pockets.
It would be super cool to have a car riding alongside all my training rides but it’s just not gonna happen. And in Germany you can forget about getting powerbars or gatorade at the gas station.
I guess an even better question is why would you buy an “aero” bike and put two big ass bottles in the frame? Please don’t tell me you would like to see a place for bottle cages on the seat tube of a P3 or Felt DA…it would be such a complete waste of money to buy those frames and to put two bottles on the frame…
A bottle in the middle jersey pocket works wonders.
In an olympic distance race you really shouldn’t ever have more than a full bottle on the bike. In a HIM or IM, then you should be able to get a bottle every 10 miles. Put an aero drink holder up front, and you are good to go!
So your question is why would you put 2 bottles in cages but then you suggest putting an ‘aero’ bottle upfront so you completely change the air flow over the aero head tube?
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on the other end of the argument… Why do they put the mounts on the seat tube, I know its usually thicker , but still more aero on down tube, especially with a dimpled bottle…