General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike hydration setup Rss Feed  
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2012-04-24 7:12 AM

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Regular
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Ottawa
Subject: Bike hydration setup

I'm interested how people set up their bikes for an Ironman in regards to hydration and nutrition.

I'm thinking a torpedo bottle up front with a couple of bottles in a wing cage off the back and a bento box to carry gels.  This is my first Ironman and some bikes I've seen look like pack mules.  



2012-04-24 8:00 AM
in reply to: #4169011

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Expert
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
To each his own, but there is no need to have too much. On a full IM course, there is so much support along the way its like a moving buffet line. Over my IM career (with training and racing 1/2s and fulls) I have had less and less setup for hydration. In the end, this year I believe I am going to ditch the hydration wing all together in favor of a Tourhans aero mount and a bottle on the downtube. With the frequency of waterstops it should be more than enough without weighing you down and disrupting aerodynamics on the bike.

The only thing I will stress is to practice, practice, practice. If you are going the minimal route, plan your long rides on loops to go back to your home base/car to refill in a similar way as going through an aid station. Good luck
2012-04-24 10:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
Aero bottle up front and one on the downtube, switching out at aid stations. I use a rear mounted 2-bottle unit for long training rides, which allows me to have four bottles. For nutrition, I use my rear pockets on my tri suit. I have a bento box that carries my flat kit: two tubes, tire levers, and CO2 cartridges.
2012-04-24 10:17 AM
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Regular
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
It also depends on a few other factors such as the weather conditions of the race, your nutrition plan, etc. For an example, for IMTX, initially I was planning to go with two cages, one for my Perpeteum on the frame, and one torpedo cage for the water. However, that gives you very little room for error, so now I am planning to also have my Xlab wing for two additional bottles of water. So in total 4 bottles, 1 for calories, 3 for water.
2012-04-24 10:47 AM
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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
Ironman races have an aid station every 10-15 miles.

Torpedo mounted A2 which I refill with water

Downtube - Fuel 3 hrs of Infinit. I stop at special needs and grab a second feed bottle.

2 bottles on the bike.
2012-04-24 11:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup

One of my all-time favorite pictures.....It's what I think of when I see the " Tri Sherpa" term.



2012-04-24 1:38 PM
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Canton, TX
Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
I use speedfil for hydration. Works good at every aid station just grab a bottle and put a little more water in it. I would suggest the cover keeps the water a little bit cooler.
2012-04-24 1:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
For me a torpedo mount for the on-course supplied hydration.  I also have a X-Lab carbon wing for a bottle of self-mixed maltodextrin nutrition (will swap nutrition bottles at special needs).  Carbon wing also holds flat kit (small bag with spare tube, emerg patch kit and tire levers.  CO2 bottles and adapter are on wing).  Have a small size bento box for some gum, Lave Salts, couple of hard candies).
2012-04-24 2:33 PM
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Elite
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Austin, TX
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
Torpedo mount and a couple of fat free brownies in by back pocket.  That's it.
2012-04-24 2:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup

Torpedo mount between the bars, one bottle on the down tube.  Flat kit taped under the saddle, gel flask in the bento box.  Salt sticks wrapped in foil, and taped to my base bars.

I primarily drink out of one bottle, and hose myself down with the other.  I race in Hawaii, so it's hot, but I've never run out of water because there are so many aid stations.  Just kept grabbing 2 new bottles at each station.

2012-04-24 2:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup

How do you all like the A2?  I use the Speedfill standard right now, but want to switch.  Tough to guage how much fluid you are drinking and hard to suck out of the hose with a high heart rate.  It also weighs 4lbs when fully loaded.  Where do you put your speedo when it is mounted by the stem?

Thanks.



2012-04-24 10:18 PM
in reply to: #4169480

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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup

natethomas2000 - 2012-04-24 10:14 AM Aero bottle up front and one on the downtube, switching out at aid stations. I use a rear mounted 2-bottle unit for long training rides, which allows me to have four bottles. For nutrition, I use my rear pockets on my tri suit. I have a bento box that carries my flat kit: two tubes, tire levers, and CO2 cartridges.

 

Exact same thing I do but I do put my shot blooks in my bento.

2012-04-24 11:30 PM
in reply to: #4170424

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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup
Six13 - 2012-04-24 12:57 PM

How do you all like the A2?  I use the Speedfill standard right now, but want to switch.  Tough to guage how much fluid you are drinking and hard to suck out of the hose with a high heart rate.  It also weighs 4lbs when fully loaded.  Where do you put your speedo when it is mounted by the stem?

Thanks.

Switched from the frame mount to the A2, stem mount, love it.  Don't mount the GPS on the stem, so can't comment on that

2012-04-24 11:32 PM
in reply to: #4169571

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Subject: RE: Bike hydration setup

running2far - 2012-04-24 8:47 AM Ironman races have an aid station every 10-15 miles. Torpedo mounted A2 which I refill with water Downtube - Fuel 3 hrs of Infinit. I stop at special needs and grab a second feed bottle. 2 bottles on the bike.

Hmmm, I do the opposite, infinit in the A2, water on downtube.  Makes cleaning a little more difficult... I'd do it your way, but I like to be able to douse myself with water, so that wouldn't work I guess. 

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike hydration setup Rss Feed