Hydration Set Up: Aero or Regular Bottle for BTA

Derrek Sanks

I'm looking for feedback on switching from my aero bottle/straw to a regular bottle in my BTA hydration set up.

For the past 3 years I've been using the Profile Design HC Aero bottle with no issues. I was never concerned with how fast or how long it took to refill, until this year. During my last 140.6 and 70.3 races, I became frustrated with the seemingly slow process of refilling the bottle all the while being out of aero position. I estimate it takes 30-40 seconds (not counting lost time from reduced speed) for the whole process: grab a bottle from behind the seat, make sure the top is open, squeezing the GE bottle 4 -5 times into the aero bottle, returning the empty bottle to behind the seat. Plus riding with one hand, filling the bottle with the other hand and trying to watch the road and bottle can get dicey. Additionally, the GE bottle tops are not ideal for filling a bottle with a smaller opening. Any slight movement or bump results in spilling GE all over your base bar/aero pads/breaks/ etc. 

I've heard of and seen people using regular bike bottles and GE bottles in place of the aero bottle/straw. They would just pull out the bottle, drink and replace while either sitting up or staying in the aero position. Once empty, you exchange it with a bottle from behind your seat or seat tube. A GE bottle securely fits in the Profile Design HC. This sounds a lot simpler.

Any pros/cons to switching?

Thanks

 

Dave Tallo

One vote for the on-course bottle holder ... based on about 15 years of tries, maybe a thousand dollars of purchases (and then resale) of every new bta straw contraption that is on market, and a zillion hours of weighing the pros and cons.      The fact that I keep coming back to the simplicity of the Gatorade bottle eleasticized between the extensions sez something (unfortunately, though, it gets lost on me everytime a new sexy front hydration solution comes in the market.)

There was a lengthy thread (and article) on this question on slowtwitch at some time in the last month ... this may be worth a read.   

Turby Wright

Derreck,totally agree with Dave! I've tried several and always come back to the plain old Gatorade bottle. One BTA and one behind the seat to start, toss on the way in to the aid station and grab another! Also, no weird stuff growing in there that you have to clean!

Paul Curtin

It's such a toss-up Derrek ... they're both fine.  The net aero difference is probably negligible.  I use the Torhans 30 because it's easier for me to take a whole bunch of small sips with zero aero penalty.  I'm convinced it causes me to drink more on the bike because the straw is right there.  On a super-windy day I think I'd be less inclined to drink from a BTA setup

Derrek Sanks

Thanks for your input @Dave Tallo, @Turby Wright, @Paul Curtin. I'm going to ditch the bottle/straw and start training with a plain bottle in my BTA, it just seems simpler. I did find the ST thread...lots of opinions on this topic. I'm surprised someone hasn't tested both options in a speed tunnel.

John Katsoudas

I went with a Speedfil Z4 cage and A2 bottle last year.  After riding that setup for a few months, the bottle and straw annoyed the heck out of me.  I kept the Z4 cage (it's a nice mount for the Garmin) and went with a regular bottle BTA.  Being able to swap bottles on the fly at aid stations is very convenient, and with a little practice, I can drink without getting out of the aero position with no problem at all.

Derrek Sanks

Good to know. Thanks @John Katsoudas.

Dave Tallo

@Derrek Sanks re  'I'm surprised someone hasn't tested both options in a speed tunnel.'     I have it on excellent authority that the BTA, generally speaking, tests faster than most integrated hydrations systems. 

Coming from a dude who has spent a lot in time in the tunnel / on the alphamantis ERO track with lots of riders.   (That input also helped clinch it for me.)   

John Katsoudas

@Dave Tallo from an aero standpoint, I've heard the same thing - that the regular BTA is faster than any setup that has a straw.  There are some hydration systems that will hold the straw down when not drinking.  I haven't tried them all but the Speedfil was, frankly, a PITA.  Here's my current setup with a regular GE bottle BTA and another single bottle holder behind the seat.  The BTA bottle is completely hidden by my hands/arms.

Derrek Sanks

I'm convinced @Dave Tallo  Thanks.