Cyclocross - Cage or Camelbak

I threw a cage on my frame for a test ride. As I had guessed, it got in the way when I was throwing the bike over my shoulder.

So if you're doing a cross race, would you use a bottle or just use a camelbak?

I'm guessing a lot of people are going to say neither since you don't have to drink in a 40 min race, but I like to have the option of being able to drink something.

Thanks.

When I am trail riding I use a cage on the seat tube. Maybe your frame makes it tough to get your arm through the triangle with a seat tube mounted cage, but it could also be your technique, as I only have problem with the cage when my technique is sloppy.

I got some little bottles that are meant to be used with a belt or a sling, kind of like these:

http://img.runningwarehouse.com/ProductImages/ASF4.JPG

I'm gonna put a couple in my jersey pockets.

I was running mine on the downtube. I'll try the seattube instead!

Thanks.

I wouldn't try either bottle cage location. I really do think you don't need to drink unless it's really hot during the race. Typically there's no place on the course where you'd have enough of a break to reach for a bottle. A camelbak might work.

I wouldn't try either bottle cage location. I really do think you don't need to drink unless it's really hot during the race. Typically there's no place on the course where you'd have enough of a break to reach for a bottle. A camelbak might work.

I suppose I could use a camelbak for races if it was hot out. If I'm doing a road ride, then I could put the bottle cage on if need be.

Thanks for the info!

Typically there's no place on the course where you'd have enough of a break to reach for a bottle. Start/finish is almost always a fine time to grab a drink. In heat, water is a performance enhancer. Seat tube works for all but smallest frames. Or just put it in jersey pocket.

I go an hour w/o water. Unless its super hot

Put a cage on your seat tube when you are training. It will allow to practice technical stuff. During races take it off. If you can take a drink during a race you are not riding hard enough.

Start/finish is almost always a fine time to grab a drink. In heat, water is a performance enhancer. Seat tube works for all but smallest frames. Or just put it in jersey pocket.

Most races do not allow hand ups

Most races do not allow hand ups1. Oh?
2. That's not what we're talking about, we're talking about carrying water, either on the bike or on your back.

If you can take a drink during a race you are not riding hard enough.If you don't drink during a hot humid race you are not riding as hard as you could.

2. That's not what we're talking about, we're talking about carrying water, either on the bike or on your back.

I get that, but I may have wrongly assumed you were getting water via hand up at the start finish

Both the cage and the camelbak may interfere with shouldering the bike. If it's hot and there are no long runups and I can get away without shouldering the bike then I'll leave the cage on. Otherwise, I go without water. Another option is to stick a bottle in your jersey pocket.

If I'm doing a road ride, then I could put the bottle cage on if need be.

Sure. I keep two cages on my bike outside of cross season.

If you don't drink during a hot humid race you are not riding as hard as you could.

I am not sure where you live but up in the northeast I almost never see anyone carrying water during a cross race.

It may be hard to reach during a race but how about something like the triathletes use? Mount the bottle behind the saddle. Mount it as low as possible so the bottle won't interfere with mounting and dismounting. You may have to use small (short) bottles.
Maybe something like this
http://www.all3sports.com/imageserver/images_big/BKCHYDT.jpg


or this
http://www.profile-design.com/files/product-images/profile-design/accessories/pd_a_rm1_side_2_blk.jpg

i never carry water. only once or twice have I wished I had some. A couple times I tried to keep a water bottle in my jersey but I never found a moment of downtime in a race to go for it. I ended up taking it out getting one sip and than just chucking it. Since than Ive just made do without and Ive never felt I needed it.

the rare times ive seen someone near me in a race go for a drink ive always managed to get a gap on them.

the rare times ive seen someone near me in a race go for a drink ive always managed to get a gap on them.

watch the water; when they go for it, attack

i've been practicing for an hour at a time and not drinking to see if i can cope; i breathe with my mouth wide open and my mouth gets parched on dry days; i find that unbearable

problem solved!

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/forum/Skiffybob/2009-05-16_143034_beer-hat.jpg

It may be hard to reach during a race but how about something like the triathletes use? Mount the bottle behind the saddle. Mount it as low as possible so the bottle won't interfere with mounting and dismounting. You may have to use small (short) bottles.
Maybe something like this
http://www.all3sports.com/imageserver/images_big/BKCHYDT.jpg


or this
http://www.profile-design.com/files/product-images/profile-design/accessories/pd_a_rm1_side_2_blk.jpg

Those aren't bottle carriers, they are bottle launchers.

problem solved!

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/forum/Skiffybob/2009-05-16_143034_beer-hat.jpg

agree; needs chin strap and Fat Tire

Those aren't bottle carriers, they are bottle launchers.

+1: I have never ridden with a buddy who has those when his bottles did not go flying for some reason or other. And those have all been road rides; Can't imagine them staying put in a race.

Seriously learn to race with out it. It's the only way. I used to have hand outs for my races then they outlawed those, no way will I have a cage on my bike so I threw one in the jersey pocket. It gets in the way and is to much to fuss with during a race. My races are one hour long, I drink well before the start and just deal with it.

If you absolutely must then try practicing with a bottle in the jersey pocket.

i dunno, i think if you have to drink a camelback is the best option.

Depending on the temp I'll either go drinkless or throw 1/2 a bottle in my jersey pocket. At around the mid point I'll take a swig and then toss the bottle.