The subject line says it all. With a company that uses as many water bottles annually as WTC (and really all triathlon companies for that matter) you would think they could find someone to package water in a bottle that will fit in a standard bottle holder.
At Tahoe a month ago my water bottle in the BTA holder was bouncing around so much in my descent from Brockway that I was afraid it was going to bounce out and end my race. Nothing like the excitement of a bottle bouncing in to your wheel at 50 mph.
Once I grab a bottle at a race I pretty much have to keep a finger on it to keep it in place over even the smallest of bumps. If I put it in the behind the seat holder I am at constant risk of inadvertently littering (and being without fluids).
Are you all using some sort of rubber-band solution to deal with this?
Actually, I was wondering why some enterprising company doesn’t make bottle cages that hold standard water bottles…
Brad
I’ve wondered the same thing… I’m guessing it’s because there really isn’t a “standard” water bottle size? If that’s not the case then the market is ripe for someone to come forward with a solution and make some money!
Had the same problem at imoo. I ended up keeping my nutrition bottle bta and put the water hand-ups down the front of my Tri top. Worked surprisingly well, despite being a dude and lacking cleavage.
It’s already been done about a decade ago - and failed. Elite used to make 66mm cages and bottles as opposed to the 74mm cages/bottles we’re used to. I think you can still find them occasionally on ebay.
I have a bottle I grabbed at an aid station at IM Wales. It says “IRONMAN European Tour” on it, and it’s a standard width. It’s a tiny bit short, so doesn’t sit super tight in all of my cages, but it’s pretty good. Best of all… the neck is the full width of the bottle, so it’s easier to fill.
To my knowledge they were handing those out at all Euro IMs and IM South Africa. Why they can’t use them in North America is beyond me.
Truth be told, it never occurred to me that getting water bottles that didn’t fit bottle cages was ever a viable option, so I’ve always paid the premium for the fat sport bottles that fit.
Truth be told, it never occurred to me that getting water bottles that didn’t fit bottle cages was ever a viable option, so I’ve always paid the premium for the fat sport bottles that fit.
Wait, you’re not implying that WTC is trying to squeeze every penny out of us for maximum profit at the expense of our race experience I hope?
