Behind the seat bottle holders.

I went to the local bike store and just asked for two to be put on the back I didn't pick up any fancy gear for them to put them on. They attach to some kind of metal that screws under my seat. It cost me about $16 for two. Now my friend I won't mention names bought a carbon thing that was $50 and it puts the water bottles at above the seat. So maybe its really light weight and fancy, but it also hits her in backside when she's riding and slides back on her seat. I suggest going to the bike store asking them to show you the options and then pick one. Mind you when I got mine, I talked to the shop guys where she talked to the sales people. I don't think mine was out front. It isn't a brand. They are just two water cages.

I just bought a Profile Aqua Cage. It was only $16 at my LBS. It's usually $30 EVERYWHERE so it was a steal of a deal.

I love it by the way.....the only thing I notice is that I feel it on my leg sometimes.....I think it touches my calf. ....can't remember.....it's not a bother...it's just when I cruise....not pedaling that I notice.

The also have that X Lab thing....but it really puts the bottles wayyy back.

I don't have one but was looking into them also. I recently did my first tri, and after the swim, I tried reaching down to the bottle, and almost fell trying to reach down to the middle tube.

Oh also, have you thought about an aero bar water holder, that's what Im getting next. I'm waiting till I need a new toy as a motivator. No hands just move your head. Easy to refill at aid stations on the course.

I went on a long ride Saturday and wore my pearl izumi fuel belt and I actually liked it. Since my bike is new I didn't want to mess with having to reach behind me very much yet. I used my water bottles to refill the bottles on my belt it worked well, and I found because there wasn't a balance issue I was able to go faster while hydrating.

I recently bought the Minoura (something like that) with the plastic Profile Design (I think) holder. It cost about 20 bucks for the two bottle holder. It sits nicely behind the seat. I could not get myself to fork out the money for the carbon fiber holders. I thought it was a little ridiculous! Whats the point?

For aerodynamics, I believe I read on slowtwitch that the best bottles are the aero type that goes on the frame. The next best are the ones that attach behind the seat.

Randy

PS: I am not at home at the present time so I can't look at what brand I bought for sure.

At Performancebike.com on sale for $24.  You can adjust the height up or down on your seat post.  Note: If you have an under-seat tool pack,  I don't think you can use both.  

OK, picture didn't work how bout link: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18690&subcategory_ID=4342

Edited by glf33 2005-03-21 12:40 PM

This is EXACTLY my issue!  I put the tool pack under the seat, then the Aqua Cage under that, but I think it's too low...anyone else have this issue?  What do you do?

I don't use an underseat tool pack. I wear a fanny-pack/bottle holder that all that stuff fits into. They make packs that go other places on the bike or use a camel-bak for add'l hydration.  

OR simply tell your bike NOT to breakdown, then there's no need for tools. 

I was just about to order one through trisports and thank god I revisted this thread before doing so. Now I'm stuck, and no, i'm not going to wear a fanny pack. That's so 90s, or was it 80s

I was told by the LBS that you can still put the bag under your seat, but you have to almost take the bag off to get anything out of it during a race, but I figure if you are going to stop to change a tire the extra 30 seconds it will take to loosen the velcro and retighten the velcro that holds it on when your done won't really matter.

I just beg my bike not to brake before each race and cross my fingers. Even if I had to change a flat I am not 100% confident in my flat tire changing abilities.

I had my seat bag on top and the Aqua cage underneath....it was really cramped and you would have to take the bag off to get anything out of it.


So....I went and got a large mouth bottle....put my tools and extra tube in that and it's in my bottom frame cage.

I now do not have the bag at all....and I have two bottles for hydaration on the back in the Aqua Cage.

Some might think that by having the bottle on the frame still that I'm defeating the purpose....no aero....but really just being able to get the bottle from the back is a big help....it is really awkward reaching down at spped to get the bottle...so I think it works..

Plus.....I don't usually need two bottles of hydration so I just have one on the back and my bottle with parts in it on the back too..this is ideal for me.

Hope that wasn't too much...just trying to explain in detail since there were detailed questions here.

I also have the Minoura and have a mini wedge that holds a tube, levers, Co2, and a zipper for a $5 bill and a Bus pass token.

If I do flat during a race, I do have to take the pack off, but its a velcro strap and a clasp. If I flatted, An extra 25 seconds is nothing compared to the 5 minutes to fix the flat.

I use the X-Lab Saddlewing.  I have one cage on the frame, then two on the Saddlewing.  I also have the aerodrink bottle.  You can get teh kit for $74 at trisports.com.  It is a little pricey but it works good.  The Saddlewing also has a hook that mounts on the bottom, this is absolutely great for racking your bike in transition.  I carry two spare tubes, one tire, two cartridges, one inflator, and two bottle cages.  Since I don't need the extra cage for fluids, I carry an old water bottle with my patch kit, tools, money, keys, extra cartridges, etc.in it.

Here's what I use:

The rack is a Minoura (I believe) that I had to bend a bit to get the angle of the bottles the way I wanted it. From the factory, it angled them too much to the rear, so I straightened it so they are more vertical now. It attaches to the seat rails with a simple clamp arrangement.

The bag is a new addition from Bike Nashbar, and is made by Jandd. It's enough to hold a sparetube, couple of CO2 cartridges, tiny patch kit, inflator head. Might even be able to squeeze in 2 tubes. I bought it because it has a 3-way velcro attachment. One strap around the seat post. The other 2 are designed to go around the seat rails, but with the bottle rack that's not possible. So I simply wrapped them around the rails of the bottle rack. To get at the contents, it's an easy procedure to un-zip the 2 straps from the bottle rails, and let the bag hang by the post strap. Un-zip the rear access flap, remove contents. Re-attachement is simple too, takes just seconds.

Here's the link to the bag:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1006&bra...

I haven't used the bag yet on a ride, as I just installed it the other day, but the set-up looks good to me. One complaint about the bottle rack...the profile cages have a rubberized strip that provides tension to hold the bottle in. After a while, both of them broke. It still works OK, but the bottles sometimes have a tendency to bounce out if you hit a really large bump, like a set of RR tracks. In anticipation of this, I simply shift my weight rewards a couple inches until I feel the tops of the bottles hit my butt. That's enough to ensure that they don't bounce out.

Here's a picture of the whole arrangement:







Attachments
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Rack2.jpg (96KB - 60 downloads)

What about a small Camelbak? I got this one a few years ago for running (They didn't have hi-vis yellow then!)

http://www.ebags.com/camelbak/siren_153/product_detail/index.cfm?mo...

I use for mtn bike riding...and was planning to use for road biking/triathlon. It's really fast to take on & off and has a small pocket that fits a tube.

An aero no-no?

What about those little bags that go on the front under the top tube? Are those big enough to hold much? I'm also a spaz and having to reach down to get my water bottle makes me a little unsteady. I think it causes me to not drink quite enough.

I don't even own a bike but how bout some good ol' redneck engineering?

Go buy some airline or medical tubing.. the stuff they use for fish tanks.. and run it from your water bottles along your frame and up near your handlebars..

just an idea.. but it might work just fine.

This may slove the "I almost crashed while trying to hydrate" post..


will

Edited by waskelton 2005-03-22 11:50 AM

You mean like this? There are a couple of different systems based on that theory actually:

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=neverreach-hydrati...

well..crap..

I guess i can stop filling out my patent application now..

yeah.. i was actually thinking or running the tubes to the bottles under the frame.. one for sports drink.. one for water..