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Anybody use the Profile Design water bottle? I just ordered one online and found out I need the bracket.
I'm not a rep for the company, but here is the link for the bracket.
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=profile-design-universal-aero-drink-bracket&osCsid=e7896e0d69735f4b62d004908b006528
Anybody have any ideas for attaching the bottle without the bracket. I will probably still order the bracket but I need a quickfix so I can use it this week.
I also would like any info on the bottle...good or bad..or any upgrades done to make it better.
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I think the bottle alone comes with rubber bands for mounting. The bracket just makes it more stable. You can use it without the bracket.
Yeah...I tried the rubber bands, but the bottom of the bottle is hitting the top of my tire. The bracket looks like it raises it a bit. I should have mentioned that before. My apologies. I appreciate the reply. I'm assuming you use one, if so, how do you like it?
If you have STI shifters on regular drop bars with a clip-on aerobar, it may be difficult to mount. I tried to mount it on my wife's bike but couldn't because the shifter cables were in the way.
i have to be honest i hated this bottle when i first bought it. kept ending up with sports drink all over the bike when riding over anything but smooth terrain + the noise it made was really bad (rattling).
I went home depot, picked up some fat 1.5" thick velcro (the really heavy duty stuff) wrapped the female around the tri bar and stuck a huge great wad of it on either side of the bottle.
once in place it doesn't move an inch or make a sound
great and cheap fix
SprocketMan....I have Carbon Stryke aero bars with bar end shifters. No wires to deal with. I have a short bike, so there isn't a lot of room between the bars and the front tire.
lilscotboy...would you mind taking a photo of what you did and posting it. I have an idea of what you're talking about, but I'd like to see what it actually looks like.
it's actually off the bike right now (i built a new ride over xmas) but i'll go home and see if i can find the peices (cobble it back together for you)
it worked like a charm by the way
I use the bottle (and the bracket) on my Jammer GTs. Works great, although the directions that come with the bracket leave a little to be desired. I'm also not a huge fan of the mesh "lid". (Would a screw-on lid really have negatively affected the performance? If refill time is a concern, how about a snap-on lid?)
You are correct, the bracket does allow for a bit of "tweaking" as far as height goes, but not a whole lot.
The setup is very secure and quiet when used with the bracket.
Steve
Thanks Steve. I'm going to order the bracket w/the hope I can make it work. If not, I'm planning on using the behind the seat double bottle cage and I'll sell the Aero setup to someone in my tri-club.
bit of advice (feel free to take it or not 'cause this is just personal preference), but i tried the behind the seat profile cages and they didn't really work out for me.
I found it hard to locate the bottle and it felt like the time i was up in the saddle drinking was really affecting my rhythm on the bike (could be just a feeling). I don't think it would make such a difference on a long course IM or 1/2 but on oly distance i went with the up front bottle so that i could stay in the earo position for the whole leg.
Jaybird,
I don't have one at the moment, but am looking to get one soon. I will also use the bracket, becuase I have heard that they are a little noisy and loose without it...
lilscotboy....I hear you. I do the shorter races, so that's why I bought the aero. I am currently using a cage on the down tube and haven't been drinking enuff during the bike leg. My idea was behind the seat so I could keep cranking. I feel pretty confident I can make the aero bracket work. I appreciate the advice.
RoadToad...I just ordered the bracket from all3sports. Shipping is a rip, but it's the cheapest overall price I found all day. Looked for coupons...no luck. Don't tell me you found it cheaper somewhere else. I prefer to keep my head in the sand!!!
I'll post how it works out. Can somebody comment more on the behind the seat cages?
Doesn't your LBS carry the Aero Drink Bracket??? (I ask because it seems like just about every one around me does.) Anyway...
All3Sports sells a very sweet (but very pricy) setup for drinking in the aero position, which can be seen here...
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=neverreach-white-hydration-system-with-splashguard-cap
This thing looks very sweet, and holds ~3 bottles worth of liquid. Free shipping, but almost $100. :eek:
They also sell an alternative to the Profile behind-the-seat setup, which is not only less expensive, but seems like a better system in that it appears to allow for the use of a small wedge at the same time. You can see it here...
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=minoura-cage-mount-complete-deal
I'm actually thinking about getting one of these setups to complement my Aero Drink Bottle setup on the front.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Steve,
I live in a little town with one bike store. They don't carry a wide variety of things. Only one brand of bike (Trek)...very limited. They are very nice people, but just can't afford to carry alot of inventory. I drove 8 hours round trip (Omaha) just to buy my bike! I support them as much as I can by buying small things, but I save a ton of money ordering online or traveling to Omaha, Kearney, or Lincoln.
This is the behind the seat setup I was looking at. I figured having the bottles at an angle would make it easier to get them out. Maybe they'll fall out easier, too!
Profile Aqua Rack
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=72&subcategory=1025&brand=&sku=2598&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
UPS just sent me an email...should have the bracket on the 20th. Then again we just got 3-4 inches of snow, so maybe not! Thanks for the info.
I have one of the Profile bottles. I can use it on my small (48 cm) tri bike with no bracket. I didn't even know there was a bracket.
The only bracket I have used is the one that came with my old JetStream years ago. I liked the old JetStream better than the Profile bottle. I have the sponge from the JetStream that I use as a "lid" in the Profile bottle. I just fit the bottle between my aerobars using the rubber bands. No problem. I love being able to sip away and remain in the aero position. I also love being able to pour water into the bottle during the race...and keep my water right up front. The only thing I don't like is the wind resistance it gives by being out in front. I especially don't like the wind resistance with a strong cross wiind.
i have to be honest i hated this bottle when i first bought it. kept ending up with sports drink all over the bike when riding over anything but smooth terrain + the noise it made was really bad (rattling).
I went home depot, picked up some fat 1.5" thick velcro (the really heavy duty stuff) wrapped the female around the tri bar and stuck a huge great wad of it on either side of the bottle.
once in place it doesn't move an inch or make a sound
great and cheap fix
A friend of mine does this, seems to work great for him aswell.
I use one for longer races(olympic +) and all I need are the elastics, and it holds fine...
I really appreciate the feedback from this thread. I can't wait for the bracket to get here. I rode my trainer last night, with my bottle lying on the couch next to me.
Batman or Ironwoman or anyone else...any feedback on the behind the seat cages?
I ordered the Minoura version that I linked you to previously, but, alas, it won't arrive until Monday. So, I'll keep you posted.
I'm really hoping that I'll be able to fit a small wedge under the seat with it (looks like you can from the pics). That'd be a sweet setup, and something that I couldn't do with the Profile Aqua Rack without the bottles ending up very low & tough to reach.
Steve
Batman or Ironwoman or anyone else...any feedback on the behind the seat cages?
I've never tried the behind the seat cages. I know people who use those exclusively because of the advantage of the bottles not creating a lot of wind resistance when in that position. I just use bottle cages in the regular position on the frame...and my JetStream or Profile bottle on the aeorbars. For me, water bottles in the regular position are easier to grab...plus, I've got my spare tires and tools behind the seat and under the seat.
This is potentialy a real newbie question, but I am so I will ask, wouldn't a Camelback work for this or are they banned equipment? If they are allowed, what would be the downside to wearing one?
For a good read on water bottles:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/waterbottles.html
You may not want to use that behind the seat setup...
Got the bracket yesterday and installed it. The directions were pretty sad (you were right, Mickstar!!!) However, once installed, I really like it. I am trapped indoors at the moment, as we have snow and ice on the ground, but it worked great on my trainer. It is very stable and provides about 2 inches of clearance from my front tire. Additionally, for those shorter than me, they provide additional pieces to raise it even higher. I will post once I actually use it on the road, but until then, it receives 2 thumbs up for use on my trainer.
tcsmedes...I use a Camelback when I trail ride/MTB, as I'm not concerned with aerodynamics, speed, extra weight, or transition times. I've never used a Camelback for tri's, and wouldn't probably because of those reasons. Plus, for the shorter distance tri's, I don't think you need that much water...I know you don't have to fill it up...but why have it then?
That wasn't a newbie question, in my humble opinion. Even if it was, that's what these forums are for!
Thanks Jaybird, I hadn't thought about the transition time. I live by my camelback all summer long both on the road and on the trail, on my bike and while running but as you pointed out for sprint distance it is probably overkill and transition times would be an issue, I will eagerly await to hear how you do with the Profile Design Bottle and bracket and potentially follow your lead there.
tcsmedes...on my trainer it has been fine. As soon as the weather warms up, I'll try it on the REAL road. I plan on trying it at different fill levels, as lilscotboy said his made a mess. My first tri (sprint) is on April 30, so we'll see how it goes there, too. I don't forsee a need for a refill during the bike, but I may try one for kicks.
I don't know what kind of aerobars you have, so you may or may not need the bracket. You may want to go out on a limb and buy the bottle...I won't be on the road until the weather clears. I'm in Nebraska, so who knows how long that will be!!!!
I don't know if you've seen the sponge that comes with the JetStream Bottle. That sponge seems to work a little better than the netting stuff that comes with the Profile Bottle for keeping the liquid from slopping out of the bottle while riding. If you have any trouble with the water (or other liquid) sloshing out of your Profile Bottle, you could buy the Jet Stream Replacement sponge and stuff it in there. Just a thought. I don't like the new JetStream bottle. Too wide. But I still use the sponge!
That's a great idea. I'm going to try cutting a piece of foam to fit. So far the netting hasn't sloshed around too much on my trainer!!!! ;)
I tried the PD aero bottle, and hated it! Tried to replace the foam "cork" with a real cork to stop the bottle from splashing liquid all over me and the front end of the bike. That smell from burnt sports drink at the brake pads really didn't do it for me... :) The cork helped a bit, but still splashed around (albeit less so...). Tried to mount it with velcro, but that didn't solve the issue either...
Next step in my quest was the X-Lab flatwing... Despite being the version that sits fairly low behind the saddle, I still managed to hit it with my leg when trying to mount the bike after T1... My elbow didn't like the pavement much...
Finally bit the bullet and spent the money on the Never-reach system. Looks extremely dorky, but works as a charm and I don't get splash or knock myself over when getting on the bike.
Just my 6 cents (3 opinions/experiences at 2cents a piece) :D
A surprising thing about the NeverReach (at least to me). The first few times I tried it I thought that the fluid flow rate through the tube was a bit restrictive but I repeatedly discovered on longer rides that the 64 oz. reservoir would be empty before I expected it to be, indicating that I was drinking more frequently than I thought I was. I suppose that means it succeeds so well at making drinking easy that I'm no longer aware of doing it.
I've tried the X-Lab Saddle Wing and hated it. Every bump in the road seemed to eject my bottles. I think I used it twice and retired it. Im not sure how the Flatwing is with the bottle ejection issue since it sit lower and the bottles are at an angle. Currently I have the AeroDrink and use the rubber bands it came with. I agree the rattling did get on my nerves too. I put an extra peice of bar tape on the aerobars where htey came in contact with the bottle. On my long rides I typically carry an extra bottle filled with my nutrition and dump it into the AeroDrink when it is empty. I am still trying to figure a good way to store and atach spare tubes/CO2 etc needed for my IM in June. That is the one thing that the X-Lab products had going for them.
JVic
I am thinking about getting the profile AeroDrink. Anyone use it on Century bars? Here is a link of it and the bracket on sale, and free shipping if anyone is interested.
https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/39/
rplong...I've been using it and really like it; however, I have Carbon Strikes. You coming out for the James O'Rourke Tri in North Platte (April 30th)?
This is potentialy a real newbie question, but I am so I will ask, wouldn't a Camelback work for this or are they banned equipment? If they are allowed, what would be the downside to wearing one?
Bobby Julich (Pro Rider for CSC) has worn a camelbak under his jersey for TT's and such. Supposedly it gives a better aero arc to his back and is also easy to drink out of.
I use the bottle (and the bracket) on my Jammer GTs. Works great, although the directions that come with the bracket leave a little to be desired.
Hey Mickstar, I'm glad to hear this but a little surprised as well. I too have the Jammer GTs. First set of bars for my first tri, but so far I like them. However, when I asked someone at my LBS about the aerodrink I was told that it probably wouldn't fit on my bike. Said it would be really tight. What type of setup do you have? As for me, I'm on a 60cm Trek roadie, and as I have a long reach, these bars are pushed to the min. insertion point. Would love a pic if you have one, but just hearing that I could go Aero-drink would be great. I'm not very proficient (even after riding a couple of years) with grabbing a drink while maintaining form and speed. So, any issues with being cramped for space on the bars with the drink installed?
I'm pretty big myself at 6'2 with long limbs.
When I had this setup (I don't anymore. Moved to a tri-geometry frame and full extensions.), it was on a 63cm early-90's Raleigh Technium Olympian roadie. I had my extensions past the min. insertion mark so the pads would hit me a little more comfortably than right behind my wrists. Maybe that's why I was able to fit the bracket & bottle.
Come to think of it, though... When I purchased my Jammer GTs, Profile had a deal going where you got a free AeroDrink with the purchase of a set of clip-ons. I bought mine from one of the big online tri shops, and they included not only the AeroDrink, but the bracket, as well. So, I guess, they thought it would work.
I'm not recommending that you put your extensions past the min. insertion mark. But, I will say that I didn't have any problems with it and it was more comfortable with the pads farther back.
Steve
Thanks for the heads up. I may stop by the local shop just to see if the bottle will fit. They were running the same deal at Gotta Ride Bikes when I bought my bars, but I wasn't eligble since I held them to a price match :) . I have been tempted to move those bars back, but I'm a bit overly cautious when it comes to those things...
Can any of you who have the aero drink system give me some quick dimensions. It looks like a deep/skinny bottle, which is wider at the top, and narrower at the bottom. I'm really curious, and I'm trying to figure out if it will fit in the space left from my Jammer GTs. I'm sure I'll eventually get my a local shop to check one out, but I was just curious if any of you had the dimensions handy?
Additionally, for those shorter than me, they provide additional pieces to raise it even higher. I will post once I actually use it on the road, but until then, it receives 2 thumbs up for use on my trainer.
Hmmmm, so that's what those extra pieces are for?!?! I just posted a new thread asking about the straw length, but maybe these "extensions" are the ticket. I'm on a conventional road bike, and can pull the drink to close on my shorty bars (Jammers) because of my STI cables. I'm finding it a little tough to reach the straw without coming out of the saddle!
At the risk of sounding silly, when you get it properly adjusted, where exactly does the straw sit in relation to your head? It seems like if it is close enough to drink in the aero position, then it would pretty much be right in your face the whole time you ride. Sounds like I need to do some experimentation on the trainer.
When I ride, the straw is about two inches below my mouth. I can drink w/o taking my eyes off the road.
Thanks for the heads up (no pun intended :) I'm thinking that due to my setup, it's not that the drink or straw is too low, but too far away. I'll have to work on a solution for this problem. On shorty bars, I think my head is still about in the same position fore/aft wise as it would be if in the drops.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'm going to carry this issue over to the new thread I created, so as not to hog two threads. Any advice is welcome under "Aero Drink wisdom..." Thanks!
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