ddeand 

I have three different water bottles of varying capacities (20oz to 24oz) and their use depends on the ride. When I commute (13 miles one way), I use the smaller bottle and refill at work. On longer rides of over 25 miles, I use the larger bottles. Anything over 30 miles, I take two bottles. I always leave home with the bottles filled with ice cubes and topped with water - that gives me an extra 45 minute to an hour of cold/cool water. Which is refreshing. And if I'm on a long ride in the middle of nowhere (mtb or gravel), I might take a Camelbak or a frame bag with extra water. Eventually, you'll figure out what you need for various rides and adjust to that.

one4smoke

Thanks for some great advice!

CliffordK

The Zefal Magnum is one of the largest bottles available, 33 oz.
Amazon.com: Zefal 164 Magnum 33 oz. Black Water Bottle

I had 2 of those plus my camelback, and drained them all a couple of times on my recent trip to Portland.

Sometimes a bottle in the hot sun for hours can be a pain... but I'd rather have some warm water than no water at all. I don't put ice in my bottles. Luke warm when leaving home is fine.

I did, however, get a couple of polar bottles for carrying HOT CHOCOLATE during the winter

I'm not sure why the bottles with straws aren't popular. However, I often take a BIG SWIG from the bottle... put it in the mouth and squeeze.

The camelback seems to be designed to take much smaller sips. Which might be better for water conservation, but it seems like one has to work harder to get one's water.

Oh, I've tried the Specialized watergate, I think. It was nice. But it seemed as if I emptied the bottle even faster..... which was a bit of a problem.

shelbyfv

Good link for the Zefal magnum. I like the clear version and they are sometimes hard to find.

70sSanO

I use Polar bottles and insulated bottles are becoming more popular. But to be honest, I think most riders won't use it because it is not bike specific. Pulling a travel mug or cup out of your cage is probably not considered acceptable for harder core riders. If it works for you go for it. It looks like a good solution.

Just my opinion.

John

fietsbob

BITD you hung a Bag on the front of the car . it leaked a little but the evaporation cooled the rest of the contents ..

A wet cotton sock over your water bottle can do similar, but you have to Re Wet it.

GovernorSilver

I've ridden in 90 degree F with humidity. I found when I'm tired enough and thirsty enough, it doesn't matter if the water is on the warm side.

I do treat myself to a cold drink from a store though if it's on the way.

Marcus_Ti

Hehe...presuming the water in the sock evaporates. Around here, this time of year, it wouldn't and you'd just start and end your ride with a wet sock-encased-bottle of hot water.

10 Wheels

I use polar and camelbak insulated bottles, Freeze them for 48 hours.

Wrap one in towel, placed in a pannier. Stays COLD for 8 hours.

jeichelberg87

There is evidence drinking water at room temperature is more easily ingested. But nothing is 100 percent.

Which Is Better: Drinking Cold Or Warm Water?

I prefer my water at ambient temperature. It is easier to drink (for me). I have a difficult time satisfying my thirst with cold beverages.

one4smoke

LOL... No, I suppose it's not "bike specific." Hence, the strange looks I've gotten with it.

Yep, it works for me. Just the right amount for the 20 to 30 mile rides I do (I carry two bottles), and it keeps it good and cold, which is just more refreshing to me.

Thanks for your thoughts John!

one4smoke

Interesting read. Thanks!

Light

Didn't work for me this morning .... won't do that again!
Froze about half of my camelback podium last night & topped off with water this afternoon. Realized with the first drink on my ride, ice block would slide down inside the bottle, & block the hole .... stopping allmost all water from coming out, just a dribble. LOL! Few times had to stop, unscrew the top to get a drink.

It was 95 out, ice block hardly melted during 1.5 hour ride.

SpeshulEd 

Did you tilt the bottle up, technically the ice block should float to the top (which, if the bottle is tilted, would be the bottom of the bottle). I freeze my bottles on a slant and never have an issue with the ice blocking the valve.

I also don't start drinking until I'm about 30-45 minutes into the ride. By then, the first bottle is practically all melted.

Light

Perhaps I froze too much .... about half the bottle. And I froze it upright in the freezer .... a very very cold freezer, that was a solid ice block!
Know what your saying, ice should float. But it came slamming down the inside & blocked the hole. I drink probably the way most do, out of the side of my mouth. Also, noted that with the ice block in there, i couldn't squeeze the bottle as much as I needed to or wanted, solid ice

Usually put 6 or 8 ice cubes in each camelback & fill with ice cold water and electrolyte mix. Ice will last about 1.5-2 hours in them in 95-100 deg heat, usually I'm filling with more water before all the ice is completely gone. Interesting that ice seems to last much longer for me than yours in comparable heat, perhaps mine are more insulated?? They're about 4-5 years old I think.

Dave Cutter

+1 Wet is all I need to hydrate. If I want cold there are vending machines and gas stations.

GovernorSilver

Tomorrow I'll be going on my first group ride, billed as a beginners' ride. 10 miles, approx. 1 hr. Weather forecast calls for a high of 95 F, but we'll be riding in the morning, well before the high is reached. So it probably won't be worth freezing my water bottle. I don't know what kind of damage freezing will do to this plastic bottle anyway. I filled it and left it in the fridge but that's about it. My other "water bottle" is actually a Kleen Kanteen type.

The ride is scheduled to end with Sunday brunch.

FBinNY 

If the bottle is a squeezable plastic, freezing won't hurt it. If it's a rigid plastic freezing might crack it.

As for whether freezing will help keep water cool, you get the maximum benefit for the 1st hour (if that), so if you like cold water, go ahead and freeze it if you want (if the bottle is OK to freeze). The discussion about the pointlessness of freezing is based on longer rides where it's come to ambient temps within the 1st hour of a day long ride.

Jim from Boston

Bottle Bewilderment

I usually start my long rides, up to about five hours, early in the morning and my first water stop is usually well after one hour. So I'm not particular about temperature, but I do care about flavor and refreshment. So I bring at least one liter bottle of carbonated flavored water, as shown below. The first two water stops are particularly refreshing from the flavor and carbonation, and even when flat, the water is tastier than plain water.

Of course a drawback is that the lid is a screw cap, so I have to stop to drink, but the time of even a red light is sufficient. Sometimes I do lose some water on opening if the bottle has been shaken. The carbonation has never been a problem for me, and a good belch is a satisfying "war whoop."

During the winter, I only do a 14 mile ride and don't need to drink, but I carry the water anyway. A rule of thumb for a truly cold winter ride has been suggested it is one where the water bottle freezes solid, a function of time and temperature. For me that happens at about 15° F.



And no, I don't choose the flavors to match the color of the labels to my bike, though I do like a pomegranate (non alcoholic) sangria flavor that matches the best.

SpeshulEd 

My bottles are only about 2 years old. I'm a bit jealous of your bottles. That's some impressive insulation.

woodcraft

IME, cold water, ice cubes, insulated, non-insulated, all ends up about the same temp by the time you drink it, so why bother.

jfowler85

Did 50 miles last week in a 105f heat index with high humidity, didn't use any ice in my bottles. It just requires conditioning; it's the same with riding long distances. It kind of sucks at first but after a while it's not that bad.

hopwheels

Yep, this.

SpeshulEd 

I don't think my conditioning is any different than yours. I put in over 11 hours on the bike last week. I just prefer to drink water that isn't the same temperature as the asphalt. When everyday is 105+ without a heat index, cool water is appreciated. Do I cry when my ice melts and I have to drink warm water, no...do I prefer to drink cool water, yes.
Phoenix, Arizona (85001) Conditions & Forecast | Weather Underground

jfowler85

Phoenix...man I'm sorry. All I'm saying is, drinking warm water isn't that bad. If you prefer cool water, hey good on you. By all means, ice it up my friend. I've put in long, long hours in very, very hot places - Al Anbar, Iraq hovered around 140f for weeks a handful of Julys ago - and don't mind drinking warm water.