gc3

Actually I prefer to ride without fluids until I pass out

TrojanHorse

Those polar bottles are significantly less easy to use than the camelbak podiums. I found those first and won't every buy any again.

I've never had a problem with random ejaculation from the bottle though. If they made 32oz versions, I'd buy that. 24 is fine until that happens.

Specialized makes a really interesting bottle too, but it's not insulated. Most of my riding is done in pretty warm weather so I do like the small amount of insulation with the podium chill bottles.

eja_ bottecchia

The guy is a newbie, give him a break.

And for some people, every bike expense is a big deal; so they have to chose carefully.

OP, as most people have noted, your bike's frame will dictate how big of a bottle you can carry. In my old Bottecchia I an carry a pretty large water bottle. On my other bikes, with compact frames, I am forced to use smaller bottles.

Out on the road, water (fluids in generals) is a precious commodity. Buy and carry the biggest size bottle you can fit on your bike.

Have fun riding and ride safely.

PS: OP, I see that you are out in Santa Paula. You should consider joining the Channel Islands Bike Club CIBC.

eja_ bottecchia

Random ejaculation???

Next year, when we do the TdC I will be sure to ride clear of you.

TrojanHorse

Ha! Watch out for PJ - he's got those behind-the-seat bottle ejectors.

SpeshulEd 

In the AZ heat, a frozen camelback podium big chill is the bees knees.

Ghost Ryder

I have both size Camelbacks, insulated/non insulated, & they fit all my frames.(52-54cm)
I also have both Polar, & Camelback insulated. Polars work fine but I find if you leave the water overnight it tend to have that "plastic" taste. I got these since they were close to half the cost of Camelbacks.
The Camelback nozzles are money! They make it worth the extra $$$. I'm doing the taste test on my Camelbacks tonight.

eja_ bottecchia

You are a hardman!

znomit

500ml is a good place to start.

Cookiemonsta

Honestly it just depends on how much water you need. Which in turn depends on distance, weather etc. Generally better to take a little too much rather than too little. Generally, just getting the standard bottle sizes should suffice for most situations. I take 1 with me on shorter rides, 2 on longer rides. Simple.

znomit

I've seen enough water bottles on the ground to confidently say smaller is better.

Cookiemonsta

I think it depends on the setting. People in races might just chuck them. But for regular rides and for regular cyclists I think they just need to make sure they are properly hydrated. That is the main priority.

Ghost Ryder

As the sayings go...
"Size matters."
"The bigger the better."

I always have 2 large on me, I don't like to stop to get water if I don't need to. I don't like lugging my lock around either, & I don't trust leaving my bikes anywhere in my city.
Not many places allow me to bring bike in, if my bikes not welcomed I don't give them my business.
I've even had drive thrus deny me service even though I had exact change.

If I could hold more I would for longer rides.
Things can turn nasty when dehydration sets in.

revchuck 

That's a consequence of piss-poor bottle cages, not bottles.

mrevilandy

two 30oz ftw!. But Im use to drowning myself in water. 1 bottle for water, the other gatorade or whatever drink I didnt finish at a stop point.

Cookiemonsta

Ah, so that is what he meant. I thought he was referring to cyclist throwing away their bottles after they are done with them.

rumrunn6

the new larger insulated bottles seem to stay in just fine

MDfive21

Rule #52// Drink in Moderation.


Bidons are to be small in size. 500ml maximum, no extra large vessels are to be seen on one’s machine. Two cages can be mounted, but only one bidon on rides under two hours is to be employed. Said solo bidon must be placed in the downtube cage only. You may only ride with a bidon in the rear cage if you have a front bidon, or you just handed your front bidon to a fan at the roadside and you are too busy crushing everyone to move it forward until you take your next drink. Bidons should match each other and preferably your bike and/or kit. The obvious exception is the classic Coca-Cola bidon which by default matches any bike and/or kit due to its heritage. Coca-Cola should only be consumed flat and near the end of a long ride or all-day solo breakaway on the roads of France.

SpeshulEd 

Easier said than done in 110 degree Phoenix heat.

Dunbar

Camelbak Podium Chill is worth the money. I use the 21oz and two of those will last me 3 hours of coastal CA riding. I've held the 25oz. one and it feels a little too unwieldy. The Podium valve design is pretty great too, you can easily squirt the water into your mouth. Suckling warm water out of a non-insulated bottle is for dweebs.

Phil_gretz

To echo ...

Rule #52 . "Bidons are to be small in size. 500ml maximum, no extra large vessels are to be seen on one’s machine..."

Ghost Ryder

I'm not hard enough to live off of 2 cups/500ml of water.
Its not enough to chase my gels, or cliff bars.
I pour at least that much on my head, & back to cool off.


I really need to HTFU!

caloso

Nice bottles are nice, but not so nice that I would spend much extra for them. The standard Specialized bottles that they sell in the big bin near the counter at your LBS do the job just fine.

Dylan Roberts

To add to your comment, literally everything I have bought involving cycling was not bought at full price, so yes, it is a big deal indeed!

As for my pick of a bottle, I decided to go with the Camelbak Podium 25 oz. bottles. I feel it would be more convenient to have a bigger bottle and many of you recommend them so why not!

I have been wondering about joining CIBC as well, I'll have to check it out soon.

Ghost Ryder

The polars are 24oz, & the Podium big chills are 25oz.
Like I said earlier the nozzle is money.
You wont be disappointed!