Subject: RE: Good bottle cages.... rear mounted or frameA MIT study a couple of years ago found that, in a windtunnel, a water bottle on the downtube is quicker than not having one on it. Did you see the last TdF TT? Most had at least 1 bottle on their frame, a mix of seat and downtube, and some even had 2. I figure if they are not worried about the aero penaltys, I shouldn't be.
My HIM strategy is a PD Aerobottle on the bars full of water (refill at water stations as needed ), and a 24oz waterbottle with a 400 calorie mix of Gu2O on my downtube. I've been training with that strong of a mix, and I can drink about 100-150 calories an hour from it, and have 1-2 gu packets, or chomps, or whatever in that hour as well. I may be a bit heavy on the calories, but it's been working great. My biggest issue is electrolytes. I need about 1000 mg sodium per hour.
By the way, best deal I have seen on water bottle cages, believe it or not, was at Walmart. They have 28g carbon fiber cages from Bell, and they are less than $20. They are actually a quality cage as well, gripping the bottle very tight. |