Xlab sonic wing alternative?

Although I don't have a P2C, my tribike is similar (only one set of frame bosses) and in the past I've run the following an aerodrink and aquarack on my seatpost (which normally only ever held my flat kit).

I am in the process of upgrading my tribike for next season and am going to simplify it to a horizontal cage on the aerobars and my flat kit in a bento box.

Shane

I use the Beaker Concepts HydroTail. I like it as it sits low, well below the seat so it doesn't get in the way of mount/dismount.

Where do you keep your spare and CO2?

Beaker Concepts the maker of Hydrotail has a strap you can use to attach CO2 and spares.

http://www.beakerconcepts.com/index.php?page=npg&pt=HydroTail&itemi...


Edited by Mike Ervolina 2010-01-09 2:13 PM

I've got the Xlab sonic wing, and I don't like it at all. Unless I put rubber bands around my bottles to hold them in, they will gradually work their way out on a long ride and then eject when I hit a bump. 

It's likely not just the cages either - I've tightened my metal cages to the point that there is no way you can even pull it out of the cage while mounted - I have to dismount to swap bottles (obviously I only do this in training - I haven't needed it for a long race yet) because it requires so much force. Yet still, somehow, when my bottles are empty, they'll work themselves out and when I least expect it, they'll go flying out.

I will likely ditch the sonic wing completely for my upcoming HIM and use a front hydration system and a frame bottle. The sonic wing looks cool, but it should be renamed the "sonic bottle ejector system!" 

I have the hydro tail too. I also have the xnut from the xlab which fits it to hold my co2 cartridge and I use a strap to hold my spare tube and tire levers

I, on the other hand, am pretty happy with the Sonic Wing on my P3C. I've had no problems with bottle ejection. I did have two rides where this one bottle kept ejecting. I have no idea what was that bottle's problem, but after the 6th time it popped out I threw it away. I had just gotten free in at a race and was one of those short Gatorade bottles. The Performance bike widemouth bottles don't eject at all. BTW I have Zipp carbon cages on it (got a great deal on them when I bought my bike).

I'm considering changing over to the Speedfil bottle. Frame mounted, low, with straw and bite valve so you don't have to reach or leave aero. Pricey, though. I've spoken to two people so far who own it, both loved it.



Edited by brucemorgan 2010-01-09 7:11 PM

I have been using the x-lab for several years and have only had one bottle ejection with a gatorade bottle I got in the middle of a race. I switched to a Speedfill in August and really like it. I did have problems getting on the bike because the bottles on the x-lab sit pretty high. I put my x-lab back on the bike with the speedfill for long rides and never have to  worry about running low in fluid. I will take the wing off for races