@Matt A - Thanks for all of the info in this thread. I read in your blog about losing your aero bottle on a bump. Are you still using them or have you switched to a regular cage on the down-tube. Any thoughts? I am trying to figure out if I should risk using the aero bottle on the down tube or just slap a regular cage on for my HIM. I really don't want to lose my nutrition.
@David - yes, after losing my second aero bottle on I decide just to stick my speedfil for Muncie 70.3 last weekend. I only filled it with one bottle though and it worked really well. I'll be using the speedfil for IMWI this year and haven't quite decided what I'll do for 70.3 and shorter next year.
FWIW, the two times I lost the bottles it was really rough roads and others were also ejecting standard bottles from their behind the seat launchers. The aero bottle worked great on smooth courses.
Also, Ed and others have suggested adding some velcro to the aero bottle/cage to help keep them from launching so I may try that in training next year as I feel the speedfil is overkill for anything shorter than 70.3.
I just put a couple Blackburn Mountain Cages on my rear hydration system. I only use it in training. There's no way a bottle is going to launch out of these! Highly recommended.
So after much reading of this thread, I have made some changes to my set up. Primarily I have moved my Joule up on the aerobars, so I can read it without having to look down at my stem (very dangerous and hard to stay on my watts), and installed a cage mount on my stem. All of this fits inside my hands and arms in aero....
The bento box below has 1 tube, 1 valve extender, 2 CO2, one CO2 adapter, one crack pipe for rear disc, one tire lever, one piece of tire in case I slice one of my race ones. Five gels will be taped to my top tube behind the bento box, 1 per hour of the bike, caffeine at hours 2 and 4.
As a result, I have no gotten ride of the tail system - had two bottles, CO2 widget, etc. Nice and clean now.
The compromise? Is putting a spare tube below the bottle on the downtube. It's not pretty, but I figure it's not that bad given that it can't fit under the seat thanks to cervelo post and my forward position.
Here's a side view of it...disc cover, of course.
It's not pretty, but it's what I am riding...fire away!
Coach P....Looks like a profile design type aero bar mount for your Joule? I have the short version and it put my 310xt a little too close to the bar, kept bumping my wrist. I found a PVC pipe coupler for 26 cents at Lowes. I slid it right over the original and glued it to it. Moved the computer more to the middle and am still able to remove with ease. Will get pics up tomorrow.
Coach P...nice ride setup....I have lost bottles and am thinking of cleaning up the tailgate cages....what if any are the downsides to a Speedfill set up? This is the direction I am leaning towards.
Turns out brand new tubes are tiny, allowing me to get it all into my Bento box during today's bike cleaning (yes Rich, I cleaned it!), so I think that's all set.
As for the Speedfil, am not a fan of carrying my infinit that concentrated for that long...so bottles it is!
All set for LP this weekend; chain is lubed, derailleurs have been adjusted, tires changed (with latex tubes-first time using them). Here is my set up:
I ditched the Speedfil this year and will instead use Perform/water from the course (Perform on the stem, water on the down tube if needed). I used Perform in FL last year with no issues. I've got two tubes tied under the saddle, two CO2 in Bento with inflator and two tire levers. I'll also throw in some Honey stingers in Bento for a change of pace nutritionally.
I am using the Garmin this year for all three legs. Easy to move from wrist to bike and back.
I think the bike is a lot cleaner than in years past.
@ Joseph- Check out above. Lots of us use a Speedfil with success, especially during an IM. Mine's pretty much on my bike full time cause I don't like the hassle of taking it off. I'd post your Fuelbelt question outside this thread since it's focused on bike setup
Anybody using Speefil system on the bike? Comments?....Anyone using FuelBelt on the run? Comments?...Thanks.
As Jennifer mentioned, many folks are using the speedfil and like it. I have used it for two years, but I will only use it for races (not in training). I like it because I put 100% of my calories in in and don't have to worry about losing anything or picking anything up. Just drink from the straw until it is empty. If you care about being aero, don't use the sleeve that leave the straw sticking up in the air as that will add a good bit of drag. I have the straw tucked inbetween my forearm and aerobar and lift it to drink and then tuck it back in so it is out of the wind.
RE: David's plan for Garmin...anyone have problems with battery life for both Bike and Run (don't plan on using it for swim). For me that would be about 10,5 hours of continuous use. I know the manual says it can, but what is real life?
@matt: why don't you use Speedfil for training, and couldn't I put in less volume if I wanted to refill, just to get used to the process of getting it fluid that method on a ride?
Garmin- I have turned my 310XT on at about 6 AM and used it until about 6 PM twice and never had an issue with battery. I've very tried having it on for over 12 hours but it seems it would last longer than that as i have at least a third left after 12 hours.
Speedfil - A few reasons but mainly I'm too lazy to take the speedfil off and clean it after every workout. Much easier to just use and refill standard bottles in training. Also, I just don't like the look of it, I can deal with it for race day but in training I prefer standard bottles, standard cages, cycling jersey (not tri kit), cycling shoes, standard helmet, shallow wheels, etc. I save all the tri geek stuff for race day.
Garmin- I have turned my 310XT on at about 6 AM and used it until about 6 PM twice and never had an issue with battery. I've very tried having it on for over 12 hours but it seems it would last longer than that as i have at least a third left after 12 hours.
Speedfil - A few reasons but mainly I'm too lazy to take the speedfil off and clean it after every workout. Much easier to just use and refill standard bottles in training. Also, I just don't like the look of it, I can deal with it for race day but in training I prefer standard bottles, standard cages, cycling jersey (not tri kit), cycling shoes, standard helmet, shallow wheels, etc. I save all the tri geek stuff for race day.
To add to what Matt said re: Speedfil, it can be a pain to clean infinit out of (my dishwasher generally does a fine job if I get it in immediately, but let's just say I'm not awesome at that...). Usually I only fill it with water except for RR and races. Otherwise, I keep my nutrition in the easy to clean bottle on the front of my bike. Plus since the place I ride doesn't have a ton of water I find it necessary to keep that much water with me during my ride. I cannot carry that many water bottles
You're out of breath cause you're not breathing while you drink ( thank goodness or you'd drown.) Even though it feels easy to cycle, your HR is still probably more than double or even triple your resting rate, so your lungs are always asking for more O2. While it's tempting to slug all the water down at once, I try to limit myself to 3-4 sips at a time, take a few breaths, then go again.
Thanks AL, sounds so easy when you put it that way, I'm so used to grabbing a bottle and squeezing it to "shoot-in" the water / nutrition as quick as possible
Posted By Al Truscott on 20 Jul 2011 10:06 PM
You're out of breath cause you're not breathing while you drink ( thank goodness or you'd drown.) Even though it feels easy to cycle, your HR is still probably more than double or even triple your resting rate, so your lungs are always asking for more O2. While it's tempting to slug all the water down at once, I try to limit myself to 3-4 sips at a time, take a few breaths, then go again.
Shawn, put in one side of the tire bead then get the tube in. Inflate the tube just to fill it with air a bit. Then get the other bead in. I didn't do this the first time and got a pinch flat (very easy to do on the install). So pissed when I wasted a $15 tube.
I would also recomend not using latex for a spare:
1) CO2 and latex are known to not get along as in the CO2 will slowly leak 2) Since latex can be more fragile to install i would not want to be messing with it on the side of the road while rushing.
Latex tubes are installed just like any other tube. Take your time and do it right. If possible do not use tire levers at all, but if you must be very careful not to pinch the tube. If you are not good at installing tube I recomend practicing with a few normal tubes first.
Question: Is there an aero penaly for using a rear seat bottle cage. If so, I can ditch it and just tuck my tires under seat and just use down tube and seat tube bottles. Any thoughts.
@Shawn - I have trouble getting those tires on my 404's. I start on the opposite side from the valve stem leaving the valves stem until last. That lets me push the tube away from the rim and into the tire for the last few inches. Seems to help. I have to use a tire iron to get them on.
@Michael - I saw something recently that actually said the rear bottle cage was one of the best is one of the best if all you have on the back is the bottles and CO2 cartridges. Still need the bento box for the tube and tools. However, the study wasn't very comprehensive - only at zero degrees yaw - only one rider. But I've always liked my rear bottle cage so I can have 3 bottles, so I'll probably keep mine. Tried two bottles last year (torpedo mount and downtube cage). It worked fine, but at Vineman the first aid station is at mile 17. If it was hot I think I'd be running pretty low before I got there.
Thanks for everyone that provided advice on the tires. That was an adventure but got them on without pinching.
Next question.
Matt, You mentioned that you taped the drive side of the wheel cover to the spokes. do you tape every or every other spoke? I tried it taping close to the hub pretty much all the way around. It flattened the cover on that side and you can actually see at wave through it.
Was going to remove the tape, but would like your opinion.
After getting valuable info from the team (thanks everyone) and testing out my setup in training and a 70.3, I pretty much have my setup dialed-in for my upcoming IM and thought I would post it here.
I have the standard torpedo mount bottle cage zip tied between my aero bars. I also attached a rocket bottle storage device to the underside of the aerobars to hold all of my tools/tubes by drilling holes in the container and using zip-ties. The container shields the messy stem/cable area and part of the torpedo bottle. I was able to also attach my computer mount to the rocket bottle to position my garmin 310xt directly in front of me and between my hands. My speedfil tube is positioned along the inside of my arm.
Nice setup David - simialr to mine but I don't use the rocket bottle storage thingy. Quick question - what do you use to keep the speedfil tube in place on the extensions, velcro or something or does the right arm just hold it there?
That Rocket Bottle storage thingy looks pretty nifty...never seen one before...and very convenient that you can mount the Garmin on there...I have an Aerodrink bottle between my bars and have moved my garmin mount on the bars closer to me....looking down at the stem is skitchy at times....having out in front as you have is nice. Cheers.
Comments
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
@David - yes, after losing my second aero bottle on I decide just to stick my speedfil for Muncie 70.3 last weekend. I only filled it with one bottle though and it worked really well. I'll be using the speedfil for IMWI this year and haven't quite decided what I'll do for 70.3 and shorter next year.
FWIW, the two times I lost the bottles it was really rough roads and others were also ejecting standard bottles from their behind the seat launchers. The aero bottle worked great on smooth courses.
Also, Ed and others have suggested adding some velcro to the aero bottle/cage to help keep them from launching so I may try that in training next year as I feel the speedfil is overkill for anything shorter than 70.3.
I just put a couple Blackburn Mountain Cages on my rear hydration system. I only use it in training. There's no way a bottle is going to launch out of these! Highly recommended.
www.rei.com/product/543478/blackburn-mountain-cage
So after much reading of this thread, I have made some changes to my set up. Primarily I have moved my Joule up on the aerobars, so I can read it without having to look down at my stem (very dangerous and hard to stay on my watts), and installed a cage mount on my stem. All of this fits inside my hands and arms in aero....
The bento box below has 1 tube, 1 valve extender, 2 CO2, one CO2 adapter, one crack pipe for rear disc, one tire lever, one piece of tire in case I slice one of my race ones. Five gels will be taped to my top tube behind the bento box, 1 per hour of the bike, caffeine at hours 2 and 4.
As a result, I have no gotten ride of the tail system - had two bottles, CO2 widget, etc. Nice and clean now.
The compromise? Is putting a spare tube below the bottle on the downtube. It's not pretty, but I figure it's not that bad given that it can't fit under the seat thanks to cervelo post and my forward position.
Here's a side view of it...disc cover, of course.
It's not pretty, but it's what I am riding...fire away!
Coach P...nice ride setup....I have lost bottles and am thinking of cleaning up the tailgate cages....what if any are the downsides to a Speedfill set up? This is the direction I am leaning towards.
Perfect until the last pic. I'd put the spare tube in a pocket in my jersey iiwy.
Turns out brand new tubes are tiny, allowing me to get it all into my Bento box during today's bike cleaning (yes Rich, I cleaned it!), so I think that's all set.
As for the Speedfil, am not a fan of carrying my infinit that concentrated for that long...so bottles it is!
Thanks folks!!!
All set for LP this weekend; chain is lubed, derailleurs have been adjusted, tires changed (with latex tubes-first time using them). Here is my set up:
Anybody using Speefil system on the bike? Comments?....Anyone using FuelBelt on the run? Comments?...Thanks.
@ Joseph- Check out above. Lots of us use a Speedfil with success, especially during an IM. Mine's pretty much on my bike full time cause I don't like the hassle of taking it off. I'd post your Fuelbelt question outside this thread since it's focused on bike setup
As Jennifer mentioned, many folks are using the speedfil and like it. I have used it for two years, but I will only use it for races (not in training). I like it because I put 100% of my calories in in and don't have to worry about losing anything or picking anything up. Just drink from the straw until it is empty. If you care about being aero, don't use the sleeve that leave the straw sticking up in the air as that will add a good bit of drag. I have the straw tucked inbetween my forearm and aerobar and lift it to drink and then tuck it back in so it is out of the wind.
RE: David's plan for Garmin...anyone have problems with battery life for both Bike and Run (don't plan on using it for swim). For me that would be about 10,5 hours of continuous use. I know the manual says it can, but what is real life?
@matt: why don't you use Speedfil for training, and couldn't I put in less volume if I wanted to refill, just to get used to the process of getting it fluid that method on a ride?
Thanks...
Garmin- I have turned my 310XT on at about 6 AM and used it until about 6 PM twice and never had an issue with battery. I've very tried having it on for over 12 hours but it seems it would last longer than that as i have at least a third left after 12 hours.
Speedfil - A few reasons but mainly I'm too lazy to take the speedfil off and clean it after every workout. Much easier to just use and refill standard bottles in training. Also, I just don't like the look of it, I can deal with it for race day but in training I prefer standard bottles, standard cages, cycling jersey (not tri kit), cycling shoes, standard helmet, shallow wheels, etc. I save all the tri geek stuff for race day.
To add to what Matt said re: Speedfil, it can be a pain to clean infinit out of (my dishwasher generally does a fine job if I get it in immediately, but let's just say I'm not awesome at that...). Usually I only fill it with water except for RR and races. Otherwise, I keep my nutrition in the easy to clean bottle on the front of my bike. Plus since the place I ride doesn't have a ton of water I find it necessary to keep that much water with me during my ride. I cannot carry that many water bottles
I have the speedfil, but I always seem to be out of breath, by the time I've drunk enough.
I know Matt Sullivan has had the same feeling.
Any body had this and worked out a solution?
You're out of breath cause you're not breathing while you drink ( thank goodness or you'd drown.) Even though it feels easy to cycle, your HR is still probably more than double or even triple your resting rate, so your lungs are always asking for more O2. While it's tempting to slug all the water down at once, I try to limit myself to 3-4 sips at a time, take a few breaths, then go again.
Just got in my new vittoria open corsa cxII 320tpi tires and latex tubes. putting them on for 1 hour ride then RR this saturday, race is on the 14th.
Any insider tricks...make sure you do this....or avoid doing this when installing tips? Don't want to waste money on a rookie mistake.
Also anything special when packing spare tubes on the bike? the latex feels very fragile compared to butyl.
Thanks
shawn
I plan to use a butyl vs latex as a spare.
1) CO2 and latex are known to not get along as in the CO2 will slowly leak
2) Since latex can be more fragile to install i would not want to be messing with it on the side of the road while rushing.
Latex tubes are installed just like any other tube. Take your time and do it right. If possible do not use tire levers at all, but if you must be very careful not to pinch the tube. If you are not good at installing tube I recomend practicing with a few normal tubes first.
Question: Is there an aero penaly for using a rear seat bottle cage. If so, I can ditch it and just tuck my tires under seat and just use down tube and seat tube bottles. Any thoughts.
@Michael - I saw something recently that actually said the rear bottle cage was one of the best is one of the best if all you have on the back is the bottles and CO2 cartridges. Still need the bento box for the tube and tools. However, the study wasn't very comprehensive - only at zero degrees yaw - only one rider. But I've always liked my rear bottle cage so I can have 3 bottles, so I'll probably keep mine. Tried two bottles last year (torpedo mount and downtube cage). It worked fine, but at Vineman the first aid station is at mile 17. If it was hot I think I'd be running pretty low before I got there.
Next question.
Matt, You mentioned that you taped the drive side of the wheel cover to the spokes. do you tape every or every other spoke? I tried it taping close to the hub pretty much all the way around. It flattened the cover on that side and you can actually see at wave through it.
Was going to remove the tape, but would like your opinion.
Thanks
Shawn
After getting valuable info from the team (thanks everyone) and testing out my setup in training and a 70.3, I pretty much have my setup dialed-in for my upcoming IM and thought I would post it here.
I have the standard torpedo mount bottle cage zip tied between my aero bars. I also attached a rocket bottle storage device to the underside of the aerobars to hold all of my tools/tubes by drilling holes in the container and using zip-ties. The container shields the messy stem/cable area and part of the torpedo bottle. I was able to also attach my computer mount to the rocket bottle to position my garmin 310xt directly in front of me and between my hands. My speedfil tube is positioned along the inside of my arm.
Nice setup David - simialr to mine but I don't use the rocket bottle storage thingy. Quick question - what do you use to keep the speedfil tube in place on the extensions, velcro or something or does the right arm just hold it there?
Cheers
Kevin
That Rocket Bottle storage thingy looks pretty nifty...never seen one before...and very convenient that you can mount the Garmin on there...I have an Aerodrink bottle between my bars and have moved my garmin mount on the bars closer to me....looking down at the stem is skitchy at times....having out in front as you have is nice. Cheers.