Going into Bottle Launch Prevention

Pat Koss

OK, I'm through with bottles launching.  I have a P2 with an X-lab frame off the seat post with two Arundel cages attached.  I've tried rubber bands and nothing works.  

What bottle cages do you like?  

Heading to IM Boulder so I'm open to other fluid setup ideas. 

drjohnson08

I've never had a bottle launch out of my x-lab gorilla cages.

GMAN 19030

Gorilla cages are definitely the way to go but I gotta ask... why the need for behind the saddle bottles? I've done 15 IM or 70.3 events and rode a bazillion miles and I've never used a behind the saddle setup.

Pat Koss

Bob, I definitely don't need the behind the saddle setup for a race. But when we get out on the road training, unless we keep fairly close to supplies, I need to refill. I can go through up to 2 bottles in an hour in the worst of Arkansas heat and humidity so for me its more about the training and keeping a lot of fluid with me. We rode 67 Saturday in the hills and I nursed 3 bottles for 4 hours and that's not the way I should be training (I lost about 3 lbs). I could get away with it in May since it only gets to the mid-80's to 90. But soon it will be a lot hotter. Today for a 3 hour hill ride early I easily went through 3 bottles. I never tried it (I should) but for IM race day I could definitely lose the setup in the back.

Pat Koss

BTW, I'm very open to other setups both for race and for training. Thanks for the input.

Darren Freeman

The X-lab Gorilla cages with velcro retention straps that come with them are a 100% guaranteed way to keep your bottles from launching.

novaavant

You might try adding a little tape to each side of the cage to make a tighter fit for the bottle. Getting cheap metal cages works as well since you can bend them in to make the bottle more snug in the cage.

Dave Tallo

... Or use skateboard/step tape ... Basically like sandpaper on one side and tape on the other.

But every time this topic comes up and someone suggests gorilla cages, I think it might be one of the all-time business case study classics of "create and sell a solution to a problem you created."

Steve Ross

@Pat, I have never ever lost a bottle in 4 yrs using these Bontrager cages connected to my x lab holder, they are the bomb. The top lip holder is deep and that is perfect and the diameter snugs the standard water bottles tight !

 http://www.bontrager.com/model/07846

 

GMAN 19030

Posted By Pat Koss on 26 May 2014 12:54 PM


Bob, I definitely don't need the behind the saddle setup for a race. But when we get out on the road training, unless we keep fairly close to supplies, I need to refill. I can go through up to 2 bottles in an hour in the worst of Arkansas heat and humidity so for me its more about the training and keeping a lot of fluid with me. We rode 67 Saturday in the hills and I nursed 3 bottles for 4 hours and that's not the way I should be training (I lost about 3 lbs). I could get away with it in May since it only gets to the mid-80's to 90. But soon it will be a lot hotter. Today for a 3 hour hill ride early I easily went through 3 bottles. I never tried it (I should) but for IM race day I could definitely lose the setup in the back.

Do what you gotta do for training.

I strategically park my car where I can come back to it every couple of hours so that I can refill my bottles (one BTA, two on frame).  Obviously, that's dependent on where you ride and whether that's feasible.

Brian Bird

What bottles are you using? I find that polar and camelback bottles launch no matter what you do - but Specialized Purist or the like that have a large lip on them and do not launch

Pat Koss

I use the Camelback most often, but have found that you are correct...they launch no matter what I do. I do also launch a standard bottle also (not sure the frequency). I just placed an EN singlet order yesterday and added 4 of the EN bottles so we'll see if they're better.

Thanks for all the ideas. There are some really good ones. I think Dave Tallo's wins the award for the next thing to try (cost effective compared to new Gorilla cages). I like Bob's too and I'm going to see if I can get three up front (can't remember if the P2 has cage bosses on the seat tube...check when i get home).

Al Truscott

I keep telling people about this $8 gizmo from kingcage.com ... Replaces the top cap on your stem, then attach a bottle cage to it. No zip ties, clean solution to add a bottle. Want a straw? Use a Speedfill A2 there. Picture on Cervelo TT bike at link below...

http://www.fwe1.net/graphics/blog_img/king cage/mounted.jpg

AnthonyS

I'm all about light, cheap and effective when it comes to bike gear. I'd love to get some gorilla cages, but spending that much on a bottle cage would drive me nuts. I use Specialized Rib cages (non carbon, plastic) and they work great. I've never had a bottle launch from one even when I was using an X lab setup. The rib cages grip so well the key is to twist the bottle slightly while pulling it out.

William Jenks

Cheap metal ones that you can bend to make them a little tighter than they came....for the rear seat post mounts like you describe. Any torpedo mount solution for a Speedfil A2 or other similar model can be made bomb-proof with a very inexpensive piece of velcro tape from your handy dandy discount/craft store...used to "close" the cage and prevent escapes from the cage. But that type of solution doesn't work if you want to keep taking it out and putting it back.

tcattri

I am no IM expert but I love the Ibera aluminum cage - I use the carbon look ones on the down tubes. I also use the xlab torpedo on the aerobars. I have not had any issues even on rough roads. I have used several types of bottles as well with no issue. Here is the link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Lightweight-Aluminum-Bottle/dp/B0030O907C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401251606&sr=8-1&keywords=ibera+water+bottle+cage

Paul Hough

X20 on Gorilla cages. Problem solved.

@ Bob - why wouldn't you use rear mounted cages? Can't understand why anyone uses non-aero frame mount bottles. I go with a toredo mount up front and two rear cages for IM ... one of which is only for tools. So in effect, one bottle up front and one in the rear...most aero set up per Cervelo who has put the data out there.

GMAN 19030

I pretty much don't use the frame mounts either. 90% of the time only the BTA is being used.