I’m curious - with all of the hydration options available, why do you drill a hole in a simple water bottle? do you know/feel that the Profile, Jetstream, Bontrager designs create too much drag with the bottle hanging low? If so, is there a market for someone to sell a bullet or other aero shaped water bottle ( other STr’s - I thought of it first - my copyright!)
Elite makes a bottle like that already - you can pick them up at nashbar and other online retailers. It’s a crap bottle though if you ask me.
Chris
I see what you mean - but I’m not talking about a rounded bottle top - I mean more aero, amybe bullet shaped. As Slowman and others mount a water bottle horizontally, I was curious if this is a better solution than the aero bottles on the market. More of a theoretical question I gues, discussing the benefit of different shapes and ideas. Of course, with a big body behind the bottle, does it matter that much, as long as you can drink without sitting up and pulling a bottle out of a cage?
i don’t mind the aero bottles at all, in general. but, i favor my system for a couple of reasons. first, it’s often hard to clean aero bottles, and, you have to make sure that single bottle stays clean. with my system, i don’t have to worry, any old bottle will do. if i lose the bottle or it gets overly skanky i just toss it and drill another one.
second, some or many of those aero bottles are hard to keep solidly attached and immovable, in my experience. assuming you’re using a sturdy, close-grip, cage, my system is exceedingly solid. it doesn’t move, turn, vibrate, or any of that.
again, i’m not against the other sytems and, were i to race an IM, i might choose a system like that. but, my system is very easy, and i really do suspect it’s not unaero. if you look at the frontal profile of my system, it’s a lot smaller than the profile of some of the other systems. i don’t have the benefit of testing, but i wouldn’t necessarily assume mine is an aero disadvantage.
my very own wind tunnel, which is that of the open road, suggests to me that; the water bottle betwixt this arms is nary invisible to the 20mph headwind vs. the areo drink holder hanging betwixt the bars has an exposure to said wind.
also you don’t have to deal with the scrunchy thing falling out of Slowman’s design.
i skip the tube personally and opt solely for the bottle, in fact for most races i just leave that cage empty to start so i can grab a bottle at the exchanges and have a place to put it.
but i am just rambling now… back to work.
I’ve been making my own for years. It is really the best hydration system i have ever used. And I learned how to make it in high school. I find an aero shaped mineral water bottle, usually 32 or 40 oz. Empty the water. Then I make two holes in the bottle, one large and one very small. In the large hole I insert the drinking tube from a profile hydration system and seal around the opening with aquarium grade silicone. (if it doesnt kill the fish, i’m fine) The small pin prick hole (carb) lets the air flow in. I cap the end with the original cap and strap it on with zip ties. Really is awesme. Aero, does not move around and totally hands free. Usually this + one aero downtube bottle is all i need for a 1/2. Found a photo of my inspiration for the design. (minus the weed)…but I lay it horizontal on the bars. Usually costs $.99 per race and i only reuse the straw. I will look for race photos of it in action.
Do you inhale while racing?
Only the finest CT,NY,NJ air. Which explains why I got my TUE for albuterol…
… i really do suspect it’s not unaero. …i wouldn’t necessarily assume mine is an aero disadvantage.iti
Wow Dan, you should be a political speechwriter. 
Brad