Who rides with water bottles behind their seat? And what kind of bottle holder(s) do you use? I bought an SPT (Seat Post Thing) last month and it’s been great. Better than the X-Wing I used to use, in my opinion.
How many people race with an aero bottle up front, between their aerobars? I used to do that, but haven’t in a long time. And how many people race using a traditional bottle holder on the down and/or seat tubes?
Kahuna
I’m in the middle of a total bike change…ye ole faithful 650 to a new 700c missle.
With that change, I’m ditching the XLab Saddlewing…and bringing back the Profile aero bottle. I’ll use that with (2) frame mount cages for IM events. For 1/2 IM, no aero bottle, for IM/sprint…only one frame mount cage.
The main reason for the change is do I can velcro my spare tire to the seat rails rather than electrical tape it to the seat post. IMO, the spare tires on the saddlewing is NOT a good idea. Too much bouncy weight. I’m going to buy stock in electrical tape companies…
Pretty much the bike I just built…
http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=3591&ID=8896229&FROM=photos&BIB=38
If you can, I say you can’t go wrong with two frame mounted racks/bottles. It’s the best place to carry water on the bike for a number of different reasons.
Have a Jetstream between the aero bars. According to John Cobb it’s the most aero,plus I don’t have to waste precious seconds fumbling with or risk droping a water bottle.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/waterbottles.html
Ahhhh…the carbon TCR. That seems to be the way a lot of people are going. I used to use electrical tape, but have been using velcro tape with the lock thing and fasten the spare tubular to the really long seatpost I’ve got. Not very aero.
Great picture, by the way.
Kahuna
I have an Profile aero bottle between the aero bars, and one bottle on the down tube of my SR TT. I want to try the NeverReach (64oz)
A little off-tangent, but isn’t there still a big fight between aero vs. non-aero bike types out there?
Kahuna
It’s mostly about the engine but you still can’t argue that aerodynamics will give you some “free” speed. If you’re a 15 mph rider all the aero equipment won’t make you average 25 mph. More like 15.5 mph, but it is an improvement. Here’s a good article by Jim Martin.
I use the profile bottle up front for all races and for longer ones I use the behind the seat cages as well.
I prefer the profile bottle for convenience - it means I drink more often.
I have never launched a bottle.
I have one on the down tube and two rear bottle cages. I like that I can ride 3 hours and not have to stop to refill.
I used to launch a lot of bottles with my XLab Saddlewing, but I haven’t yet with that SPT thingy that I use now. I did a half-IM back in late August with the SPT and a down tube bottle holder (that one was for the bottle handoff at every ten miles, and the SPT had two smaller bottles with a high carb solution for my caloric needs).
Kahuna
I use the flatwing with Minoura cages and the combo has been fine.
Guys who launch a lot of bottles need to rework their setup.
I tried every angle of placement with the Saddlewing, and nothing worked. I’ve never used the Flatwing, so I can’t say if it would’ve worked or not. I’ve also never used the Minoura cages (the Saddlewing and the SPT both have Velocity cages), so I can’t say that the secret isn’t in the cages themselves.
Kahuna
i dont see the point of behind seat water bottle holders unless u cant fit 2 botttles on tube because your bike has a cutout…
If you can, I say you can’t go wrong with two frame mounted racks/bottles. It’s the best place to carry water on the bike for a number of different reasons.
Such as?
Keeps the bike centre of balance low.
Depending on tube set, not an aero-dynamic disadvantage.
Bottles never come out.
Inexpensive - no need to buy extra hardware.
Frees up under-seat area to store spare tubular out of the way.
Easily reached.
According to John Cobb’s article high behind-seat bottle cages is more aerodynamic than two in the frame. A low behind-seat setup is less efficient. The difference is marginal anyway.
I am using a X-Lab saddlewing and like it very much. In connection with Specialized Rib cages I don’t launch any bottles and I actually find it easier to reach than bottle cages in the frame. I know where they are and don’t have to look and/or fumble around. This setup also leaves plenty of room for speares under the seat. As far as the handling goes, I have no issues with that setup. On the other hand it’s not like I’m going down narrow winding roads around here either. Where I to do Nice or Embrun again, I might move the bottles into the frame.
i dont see the point of behind seat water bottle holders unless u cant fit 2 botttles on tube because your bike has a cutout… (or too small for 2 cages)
That is why I have a Profile AquaRack behind the seat bottle rack since on a 50 cm Cannondale I can only hold 1 small water bottle on the frame. I need the extra bottles for all of my training rides.
I have only launched one bottle from the rack when I hit a huge pothole that I should have avoided. I’m surprised it didn’t launch both bottles in the back and blow out my rear tire at the same time.
I have an x-wing, but took it off. I don’t do races long enough to warrant it. Besides, I couldn’t swing my leg over it easily - sometimes knocking a bottle out! I’d put it back on for a century pleasure cruise, though - like Solvang.
I don’t have anything on the bike for a sprint. I use an aerobottle for Oly’s and would use that and one frame bottle for half-IM. Never plan to do full-IM.
I used to ride with a Saddle Wing, and had no problems with it. Never lost a bottle. In fact, I’ve lost more bottles trying to get them back in the frame cages than in the saddle wing. I went to a Profile bottle between my aerobars mostly because the fluids are right there in front of me screaming,…Drink Me. I definitely found I drink more with the bottle up front in a race.