General Cycling Discussion - Where/how do you put water bottles on your bike?

I have the standard two water bottles on my frame (down tube and seat tube), but I've found that it's just not enough water for long rides, and I often don't have access to a source to refill them. Where else can I put water bottles? I've seen bikes with bottles attached to the back of the seat somehow, but I don't know how, and I already have a bag back there anyway for my spare tubes.

I thought about trying to fit a cage on the top tube, but it seems like it would interfere with the brake cable. And there aren't any holes there for a cage anyway, so I'd have to find one that attaches with some kind of bracket, if they even make those things anymore. Then there's the very real risk that it would just leak out when set on its side like that.

Ideas?

Get a small bag for your bars to hold tubes, etc.
I got one at Goodwill for $1.00 and tye wrapped it on.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/IMG_6047.jpg

I moved my tool bag to the top of my down tube.
http://home.swbell.net/mcpoop//MMACH_5/images/dona_molinera.jpg

there is always the controversial camel back set up - have also carried one in jersey pocket just make sure its secure.

Frame bag also will work.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/DW_C2281.jpg

Most riding jerseys have three pockets in back...

Even when it's 106 degrees in summer I don't see a need for more than two bottles here.
7-11, QuikTrip, RaceTrac --- they all sell water & Gatorade. Plus a lot of public parks have water fountains.

Depends a lot where you're riding. If you're out in the countryside away from civilization, there's no place to refill...unless you roll up at somebody's farmhouse, panting and sweaty, looking like ass, and beg for some cold water.

I have the standard two water bottles on my frame (down tube and seat tube), but I've found that it's just not enough water for long rides, and I often don't have access to a source to refill them. Where else can I put water bottles? I've seen bikes with bottles attached to the back of the seat somehow, but I don't know how, and I already have a bag back there anyway for my spare tubes.

I thought about trying to fit a cage on the top tube, but it seems like it would interfere with the brake cable. And there aren't any holes there for a cage anyway, so I'd have to find one that attaches with some kind of bracket, if they even make those things anymore. Then there's the very real risk that it would just leak out when set on its side like that.

Ideas?

One word: Camelbak.

Problem solved.;)

One word: Camelbak.

Problem solved.;)

+1. Maybe I'm just used to riding the MTB, but I prefer the Camelback to a bunch of bottles on my frame. Great capacity and I've rarely used up a whole Camelbak even on a 6 hour ride. I am new to road cycling though, so maybe people can shed some light on why bottles are preferrable.

+1. Maybe I'm just used to riding the MTB, but I prefer the Camelback to a bunch of bottles on my frame. Great capacity and I've rarely used up a whole Camelbak even on a 6 hour ride. I am new to road cycling though, so maybe people can shed some light on why bottles are preferrable.

Fashion. That's about all it is. Some people don't like the sweating feeling of the pack on their backs but that's just something you get used to as you've found in mountain biking. Pack bladder with ice and the Camelbak will even act as a cooling unit. And an ice cold drink of water is better than any tepid water bottle water anyday!

The Camelbak, by the way was invented for road biking. Invented for the Hotter 'n' Hell.

you probably want this..I have this mounted to my F3SL - 2 carbon cages, nanoflator and 2 co2, 2 bottles, tire bag carries a spare tube - levers - multitool - handy wipes - bandaids, mini top bag carries keys, cell phone, and ID. Jeresey pockets for gel's and oakley wipe/bag. I use to ride with my jersey pockets full, not much a fan of having them stuffed. One thing about the xlab setup though, it'll indefinitely make your bike much more top heavy since it all sits off the saddle rails.

xlab super wing
http://www.3-athlon.com/productsimgs/detailed//d_587.jpg

Any room to just use larger bottles in your cages? I don't use one myself, but I've seen that Zefal makes a 34 oz bottle:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31C7162AEEL._SL160_.jpg


Generally, if I want to bring more fluids than my two 24 oz bottles, I'll bring a couple of my daughter's Capri Sun juice pouches in my jersey. I don't like to carry a bottle in my jersey pockets (not comfortable), but the juice pouches will conform to your back (instead of being a hard pressure point).

Also -- best water I ever had was coming from a pipe through a stone wall at the top of a hill in Pennsylvania. It was fresh spring water and the owner of the property thoughtfully left a ladle out there as well. Even in the hottest summer day it was cool, clean spring water.

No guarantee that giardia would not be in that water.

Both our bikes have angled top tubes (hybrid and womens) so you can't put bottles un the seta tube or my wifes even on the bottom tube. Hers had the water bottle bolts on the top tube. I thought about putting two aluminum bars across so I could bolt two water bottles side by side instead of one on top of the tube, I don't think it would be too wide to hit her legs.
We went with the insulated bottles also so we can have them with a good bit of ice and refill from warm water and let the ice cool it down.

Depends on your route, type of ride.

Here in the Los Angeles area, we have the Glendora Mountain Road climb which is about 20 miles to the summit on Glendora Ridge Road. There is no water from the start to the summit. That means you gotta carry the water yourself or get a support vehicle behind you. Some go with the Camelback plus two bottles. Some hate the Camelback because this climb could get body temps way up there. Some take two water bottles plus one bottle in the back jersey. Some use the water bottle holders attached to the seat post.

But your seat post is already taken up by a saddle bag. I use a fanny pack, the kind you would find from stores like REI for outdoors hikers. Those fanny packs will hold whatever you have in that saddle bag. That way you don't need to buy any other kind of bag. Plus that fanny pack can be used for other purposes.

Performance Bike has the seat post type bottle mounts. You need to remove the seat post, not the saddle, and install the bottle mounts. That way you'll have 4 water bottles. Many gasoline stations also have a convenience store with those automatic dispensers.

Most fast food places like McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Carl's Junior, Wendy's, all have soft drink dispensers and there's one button just for cold water. The food servers there usually do not mind if you ask them for water.

I have seen other riders at the start of the Santa Ana River Trail with these types of fanny packs for hiking, even large ones filled with food. I figure the detractors would argue that it doesn't look cool or it will make a rider go slower. Older guys like me wouldn't mind.

One word: Camelbak.

Problem solved.;)

They work. I only have a 2 litre one and that is good enough for a couple of hours on the hottest days if supplemented with a bottle or two on the bike. They do not make the back sweat- do not make the bike handle differently and it is so easy to sip -then sip again and sip again while riding.

http://nordicgroup.us/cageboss/

Jersey pockets. If it's hot enough to need all that water, I'm not using the pockets to carry a vest and arm warmers.

Living in Kansas as well, I rely on peoples hoses. Most are more than willing, especially if you are wearing a powercat somewhere in plain sight. Powercat=passport to everything west of Topeka.

Camel back? but carring just water is sooooo yesterday!! sometimes you more of a 'pick me up' *giggle*

Camel back? but carring just water is sooooo yesterday!! sometimes you more of a 'pick me up' *giggle*

Camelbak = bota bag :thumb: Although 100 oz of wine might make for an...um...interesting...ride:eek: