"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Would you buy this?

Elite with a biodegradable water bottle

In the first effort of its kind (that we’re aware of), Elite has created a biodegradable water bottle. The entire 500cc Nature Bottle, including cap and valve, is made from 100 percent biodegradable plastic and will decompose in just one year.

According to Elite, the Nature Bottle is light, easy to use, and retains the same functionality as other bottles offered by the brand, like the Hydra and Cincio models. The biodegradability does not affect the integrity of whatever liquid the bottle contains.

Professional teams sponsored by Elite, commonly use the Hydra and Cincio bottles, but the Cervelo TestTeam chose to debut the Nature Bottle in the Giro d’Italia.
www.elite-it.com

http://www.velonews.com/files/images/Nature_bottle.jpg

I think it's a good idea - especially since many pros chuck their bottles into the woods.

Would you buy it, BD?

I wouldn't, because I a) don't chuck my bottles; b) hope they last longer than a year; c) would have nightmares about my bottle springing a leak during a race

I agree that it's more targeted as pros, but I hate to think that weekend racers would buy these and suddenly justify tossing their bottles during races on residential/rural roads.

That's the last thing we need.

I wouldn't, since I don't chuck my bottles into the woods. And for that reason, if I can't use the same bottle after a couple of years, what good is it?

Wait, so does it start degrading during normal use, or only after you get rid of it? Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, but if it's fully decomposed in one year, would it only really be usable for a few months? I like my water bottles to last longer than that.

And I'm normally the first one to buy into "environmental" crap.

Bikeradar picked up the story as well: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/elite-unveil-eco-friendly-water-bottle-21517

From the sounds of the below quote, the decomposition only occurs "in the wild".


And if by chance one of these abandoned water bottles happens to be overlooked, in one year’s time it will be completely reclaimed by the earth without damaging the environment.

I like 28oz bottles as I don't have a support car with dozens of .5 L bottles to give me.

Yet....

I'm rockin' paper bottles these days, different colors for each of my pastel bikes.

http://www.impactlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/paper_water_bottle-653.jpg

I do like the Elite Cervelo bottles, though. Might as well have a bottle that spontaneously explodes, just like their frames.

I'm getting a few. By seasons end my bottles tend get that plastic taste to them so I pretty much ditch them and buy new. I'd feel better knowing that I wasn't leaving a bottle with a half-life at the dump.

I'm still using bottles from 10 years ago, so no. It might be fun to buy just one and place it somewhere in my backyard to watch it break down over the course of a year.

Great idea for pro teams, though. I imagine fans who scavenge for bottles after a race might be a little disappointed after a year.

You use your bottles for years?

You use your bottles for years?
Yep, and aside from black marks from the cages, they work just fine. My favorite bottles are about 10m years old and they go with me on all my long rides because they hold 28oz each. I don't know what EDR's issue is, but my experience is that they have a plastic taste during the first few months, then the leaching slows down and you stop ingesting chemicals. So, I am doing something good for me and something good for the environment at the same time.

I think it's a good idea - especially since many pros chuck their bottles into the woods.

Would you buy it, BD?

http://ohnolookoutitsaraygun.com/argh-Picard.jpg

I'm still using bottles from 10 years ago, so no. It might be fun to buy just one and place it somewhere in my backyard to watch it break down over the course of a year.
Great idea for pro teams, though. I imagine fans who scavenge for bottles after a race might be a little disappointed after a year.

that would


You use your bottles for years?

you dont?

I'm still using bottles from 10 years ago, so no. It might be fun to buy just one and place it somewhere in my backyard to watch it break down over the course of a year.

Great idea for pro teams, though. I imagine fans who scavenge for bottles after a race might be a little disappointed after a year.

+1

Only been riding ~2 years though.

I still have my La vie Claire bottles from 1985

You use your bottles for years?

So do I. I use plastic kitchen cups & bowls for years ....... clothes too .....

I had some soup in a "biodegradable" bowl several years ago. I put it in my compost pile. It was still there a year later. I just found a piece of it the other day (about 3 years later) ..... I think "biodegradable" must be open to interpretation.

would have nightmares about my bottle springing a leak during a race


Exactly, at what point does it degrade beyond use?

I'd be into cheap one time use biodegradable skin suits. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to doing laundry, and this would help me a lot.

Our team bottles are a "green" biodegradable bottle. Works great. No issues so far. I actually like it a lot.

I'd be into cheap one time use biodegradable skin suits. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to doing laundry, and this would help me a lot.
Just thinking of the possible consequences of that makes me cringe :twitchy:

Just thinking of the possible consequences of that makes me cringe :twitchy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36yW2L2smQ&feature=related