Hydration System for road bike

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2009-11-08 11:45 AM

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Subject: Hydration System for road bike

Is there any sort of hydration system that can be mounted to the front of a road bike like all the ones that mount to aerobars on a tri bike. I even thought about putting a set of aero bars on my road bike (even though i do not plan on using them) just to have the hydration system. Is that silly?

2009-11-08 5:38 PM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
I too am in the same position.  At this point I think I am going to get a Speedfil.  It is a 40oz. water bottle that mounts to your standard water bottle mounts on your down tube and has a "straw" that comes up between your handlebars so you can drink on the fly.  They are pricey, but I I think it is worth not having to reach for your bottle each time you need to drink.

I don't think I would put a set of aerobars on just to accept a hydration unit.
2009-11-08 5:43 PM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
mandy7741 - 2009-11-08 1:45 PM

Is there any sort of hydration system that can be mounted to the front of a road bike like all the ones that mount to aerobars on a tri bike. I even thought about putting a set of aero bars on my road bike (even though i do not plan on using them) just to have the hydration system. Is that silly?



I am curious what is wrong with bottles on the frame?

Shane

2009-11-08 7:01 PM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
I love my Speedfil on the tri bike. Never have to leave the aerobars during a TT. I don't see any reason to have it on my road bike since I change my hand positions fairly frequently
2009-11-08 7:24 PM
in reply to: #2503835

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike

gsmacleod - 2009-11-08 6:43 PM
mandy7741 - 2009-11-08 1:45 PM

Is there any sort of hydration system that can be mounted to the front of a road bike like all the ones that mount to aerobars on a tri bike. I even thought about putting a set of aero bars on my road bike (even though i do not plan on using them) just to have the hydration system. Is that silly?



I am curious what is wrong with bottles on the frame?

Shane

I'm not the most coordinated rider and having to pull a bottle off the frame, take a drink out of it, and then get it back in the holder makes me slow down quite a bit. So that also makes me drink less often which is obviously a bad thing!

 

2009-11-09 12:57 AM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
Speedfil is the only one coming to mind... but this is really a band aid, not a solution to your problem... if you're struggling with taking the bottle out of the cage and drinking, then you need to practice... it's like learing to ride a bike, you need to find the balance.

Another couple of things that might help, check out the bottle cages... if they are too tight it might be hard to get the bottles out, and if the design is not perfect, you might have problems getting the bottles back in. I've also found the Camelback Podium bottles... just grab the bottle, bite down on the value and drink, no more trying to pull the bottle open and a "hip slap" to close it back up. Love those bottles!

2009-11-09 5:28 AM
in reply to: #2503932

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
pschriver - 2009-11-08 7:01 PM I love my Speedfil on the tri bike. Never have to leave the aerobars during a TT. I don't see any reason to have it on my road bike since I change my hand positions fairly frequently


Just curious as to why you wouldn't recommend the Speedfil for a road bike?  If I am changing from the drops to my Jammers to the hoods would I not have any advantage to having the "straw" right there to drink from?  Thanks.
2009-11-09 5:58 AM
in reply to: #2504213

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
audiojan - 2009-11-09 2:57 AM

Speedfil is the only one coming to mind... but this is really a band aid, not a solution to your problem... if you're struggling with taking the bottle out of the cage and drinking, then you need to practice... it's like learing to ride a bike, you need to find the balance.


x2; go to a parking lot or smooth grass field and practice riding around slowly while removing and replacing bottles.

Shane
2009-11-09 7:44 AM
in reply to: #2504232

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
Gregkl - 2009-11-09 7:28 AM

Just curious as to why you wouldn't recommend the Speedfil for a road bike?  If I am changing from the drops to my Jammers to the hoods would I not have any advantage to having the "straw" right there to drink from?  Thanks.


IMO, the only reason to bother with an aerobottle with a straw is so that when in an aerodynamic position, you don't need to move to drink.  On a road bike, unless you are staying as aero as possible the entire time, then I would simply grab a bottle from the down/seat tube and drink.

Shane
2009-11-09 8:25 AM
in reply to: #2504375

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
gsmacleod - 2009-11-09 7:44 AM
Gregkl - 2009-11-09 7:28 AM

Just curious as to why you wouldn't recommend the Speedfil for a road bike?  If I am changing from the drops to my Jammers to the hoods would I not have any advantage to having the "straw" right there to drink from?  Thanks.


IMO, the only reason to bother with an aerobottle with a straw is so that when in an aerodynamic position, you don't need to move to drink.  On a road bike, unless you are staying as aero as possible the entire time, then I would simply grab a bottle from the down/seat tube and drink.

I see.  I could save about a $100 this way!Smile  I can stay in the drops most of the time and I use the jammers some,  but I guess it would probably be good for me to move a little during 112 miles.  I may just stick with my 4-bottle set-up.  Thanks!

Shane
2009-11-09 3:03 PM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
"Just curious as to why you wouldn't recommend the Speedfil for a road bike?  If I am changing from the drops to my Jammers to the hoods would I not have any advantage to having the "straw" right there to drink from?  Thanks."



I agree with the earlier comments. When I think of my road bike I ride in a more upright position. Aero is less important because you get to spend a good amount of time drafting. The straw length I would need on my road bike would be very long. It is easier to grab a bottle, drink and replace the bottle and I won't loose any time from changing my position. With the Speedfill you can sip anytime you want and never leave the aerobars. In your case it sounds like you converted a road bike with jammer  bars to give you  and aero postion. In that case there might be a benefit but if you are constantly going from drops to jammer it would be just as easy to grab a bottle and drink. . A disadvantage of the Speedfil is it is a pain to clean. 


2009-11-10 2:28 AM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike

I can't recall if it was on BT or elsewhere, but I recently saw a post wherein someone had very easily modified a regular water-bottle by adding a length of plastic-tubing thru the opening and down into the bottle. He, or she, then simply kept it in the bottle-holder on the frame...and sipped away. One or two zip ties will keep the tube in place??

Another idea, if your head tube is long enough, you could use a couple zip ties to attach a bottle-holder to the head tube, and keep a bottle there.With the length of tubing added, as above, it would be a DIY 'aero-bottle'.... ( not all that aero, but would keep you from having to reach down and grab the bottle from the frame...)

2009-11-10 5:02 PM
in reply to: #2503486


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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
Why dont you just implant a watter bottle into your neck and have some tubing or something stick out right in front of your mouth. That would fix the problem :-P
2009-11-13 7:56 AM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
I have noticed that noone uses Cammelbacks.  Wouldnt that be an easy solution?  Just curious.  Dont they hold a lot more liquid so you wouldnt have to switch bottles around and such.  I have never used one so I honestly dont know.
2009-11-13 8:10 AM
in reply to: #2512092

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike

TRIMAN413 - 2009-11-13 8:56 AM I have noticed that noone uses Cammelbacks.  Wouldnt that be an easy solution?  Just curious.  Dont they hold a lot more liquid so you wouldnt have to switch bottles around and such.  I have never used one so I honestly dont know.

I use a camelback on my mountain bike, and have tried it on the road bike, but on long rides, that is just extra weight on my back making it even more uncomfortable so I don't really like it.

2009-11-13 11:55 AM
in reply to: #2503486

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
I love my Speedfill on my road bike.  It lets me drink while climbing, shifting, breaking, etc.  Although I don't ride aero, I can sip whenever I want without releasing my hands from the bars.  I keep Gatorade in my other bottle.

2009-11-15 12:45 AM
in reply to: #2507701

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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike

Why dont you just implant a watter bottle into your neck and have some tubing or something stick out right in front of your mouth. That would fix the problem :-P

That implies a possibly unreachable level of commitment...



Edited by cobble 2009-11-15 12:47 AM
2009-11-15 12:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Hydration System for road bike
TRIMAN413 - 2009-11-13 8:56 AM I have noticed that noone uses Cammelbacks.  Wouldnt that be an easy solution?  Just curious.  Dont they hold a lot more liquid so you wouldnt have to switch bottles around and such.  I have never used one so I honestly dont know.


I sometimes use my camelbak if I am going on a long ride without any support or convenient stops for refills.  If I am just doing a short 15-20 miles, I just use the bottles in cages.  If it is especially hot, I might use a small (50 oz) camelbak, since I know that for myself, I am more inclined to take a drink from the tube right there, rather than reach down for the bottle.
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