Rear Mounted hydration?

I have a love/hate relationship with my x-lab. Sometimes I like it, but sometimes I don't. I currently don't use it as I just put the extra bottles in my jersey.

I heard the hydro tail is the bomb. I think stadler used it in kona.

http://www.beakerconcepts.com/html/hydro_tail.html

I use the Profile Design Aqua-Rack (I think that's what it's called) and love it. If you are attempting to mount to an aero seatpost you are out of luck, but otherwise I think it might be the best option available. The big benefit is that I have never had a problem with launching bottles and I've used them on some pretty rough roads. The plastic holder is slightly smaller than the bottle so it grips well and there is an elastic to help ensure a snug fit.

IIRC, Normann used these cages on his hydrotail in Kona.

Shane

My tri bike has a x-wing and I added the x-nut which allows me to thread two large co2 cartridges and a light weight co2 filler, as well as strap on a spare tire or tube. I had to make some shims to attach it to my saddle and also to attach the cages to the x-wing. It didn't work well with Profile plastic bottle holders - I had to use light weight stainless steel ones from performance and used several small thin washers to shim them. If you use one of these you have got to pay close attention to the angle of the openings of the cages - closer to vertical the better - to limit the bottles shooting out the back when going over bumps. You can also use one cage to hold a spare tubular in a water bottle with the top cut off.

I would say that I am satified with the x-wing, but it did require a bit of "tweaking" to get it right. Good luck with your choice.

Scott

I am a recent convert to the X-wing. I used to use a PD Aqua Rack, but found that even the smallest of bumps sent both bottles flying away (which happened about 30 secs into the bike leg of the NYC tri). I've never had an ejection with the X-wing, and with the nut you can carry a micro inflator and 2 C02 cartridges. The only caveat is that it's damn near impossible to swing your leg over the thing, since it sticks up about 8" above the back of the saddle.

I'm surprised that you've experienced ejections with the Aqua Rack - maybe I've just been lucky but my bottles seem to fit in very snugly and have no desire to leave.

I do need to figure out some system to attach my spares, pump, etc with the aqua rack but to date I've had no problems.

Shane

I have a Minora double mount system and I really like it plus its only 14 dollars plus two cages. I then still use a small under the seat bag.  One day if I get fast enough I might go with a carbon option but until then economical is the way I ride.

I've used the old Trimble double H2O carrier and the Specialized single bottle holder (similar to the Minoura single holder). I've had bottles eject from all of them UNTIL I put old-style toe straps over the neck of the bottle and through the top of the bottle cage. It's not a huge deal to flip the clip on the toe strap back before pulling the bottle out, and then give the strap a tug when putting it back. Takes a little practice, just like using a rear cage does. I imagine the other carriers would benefit from the same treatment.

With all that said, there's been a lot of good press on the new Hydrotail at Slowtwitch...

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/prodreview/newproduct/hydrot...

The hydrotail is getting a lot of good reviews......there is not much too them - other than they are a little pricey. They are so light and compact- we put one on a friends bike last week - although due to some nasty weather - she hasn't been able to test it much. You can mount 1, 2 or 3 bottles to it. I think it is on my list!!!!


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/shop/shop/item.asp?itemid=3905&ca...

One of the other tricks that I had heard about for keeping bottles in their cages is to tape the bottle near the bottom making the diameter slightly larger and stopping the bottle as it tries to fly out.

Shane

I totally agree here. i have this and enjoy it - good bang for the buck! An I really will only race LONG distances with this. For Sprints just shift to a single holder.

I have the new HydroTail and love it. I was very reluctant to get any behind the seat carrier, but I thought I would give this one a try. It's great, though it did launch one bottle so far.

Is that Hydro tail just a flat peice of carbon fiber for $99 ??? I hope there is more to it for that amount???

I just ordered a Tacx saddle clamp
http://www.tacx.com/producten.php?language=EN&ttop=Saddleclamp&lvlM...
I know some poeple who use this, and have good experience with it on rough roads. You can mount 2 cages on it and it only cost me 9€ (~11$).

Well I emailed the friend that we put one of the hydrotails on her bike and this is what she had to say about it....

"Haven't thrown a bottle yet, but haven't been on my bike much to try it out extensively. The main thing is that it hangs really low (aerodynamic advantage?) so it's easier to swing my leg over the seat for mounting and dismounting, which is nice....reduces the chance for serious stupid embarassing moves....!!!"



Maybe not a good idea I thought embarassing moves were part of being a triathlete.....anyways it sounds like she likes it and she has used them all.......