Santa Cruz Juliana - water bottle?

[Hound Dog]

I just purchased a new Santa Cruz Juliana. I noticed there isn't room for a water bottle cage on the inside tube. They have screws so one can be mounted on the outside of the bottom tube, but it doesn't look to be in a good place.

I have used a camelbak type of pack in the past, but find they are very hot in the summer months. Has anyone tried a 2 bottle pack worn on the hips? (I have one from my ultra running days).

any suggestions?

[Aggie_Ama]

I live in Texas (can't get much hotter) and I find the women's Camelbak Mule to be very comfortable. It vents shockingly well and ables me to carry 96 oz. I have worn it on the trail when it was 95-100 degrees and was pleased with the venting, you are going to be hot no matter what at that temp but the channels in the back make it tolerable.

I previously had a Camelbak from 2004 without the channels and it was pretty miserable in the summer, I think some improvements have been made that might be worth checking out. I have seen people with bottles on the underside of the downtube, looks like you would just lose the bottle.

[Pedal Wench]

I like my Wingnut. It sits much lower than a Camelbak, so the weight is over your bottom and not on your shoulders and arms. Plus, I like being able to access the side pockets without taking it off.

[rocknrollgirl]

+1 on the mule.

[derailed]

While many of the newer hydration packs are much more pleasant in miserable heat, there are also seat mount and handlebar mount waterbottle points which might be worth considering, if you happen to decide that a pack is not what you are looking for. I carry two bottles behind my seat on longer rides, they are not a bad reach.

[emily_in_nc]

I use the Camelbak Flash-flo waistpack. I never even notice it's on, and it gets plenty hot here in the summer in NC. It doesn't hold as much water as the shoulder packs, but it's fine for the shorter rides I do. I find that the bottle gets too dirty on my mtb to be of any use anyway, so I never use one. If I were taking a really long ride (> 1.5 hours of riding), I would need to use a bottle along with the Flash-flo, though.

[jesvetmed]

I also have the Juliana, and mounted my bottle holder below the bar. Bad idea -- I'm eating mud and gunk every time that I take a drink! I think I'm going to use a camelback, or someone mentioned trying the cage that mounts on the seat stem behind your rear and holds two bottles. I did look at one at REI (look here) (http://www.rei.com/product/768770) and it was $50. That's quite a bit for a bottle cage!

[Aggie_Ama]

Jes- Watch for the Mule or other women's made to go on sale at REI (which they often do). I find my women's mule so much better made than DH's men's mule from two seasons ago. The straps are way nicer and his doesn't have the padding vents which I stand by my statement help!

DH has that Profile thing for long road rides where water is limited and we have bounced bottles out on the road, I wouldn't think it would work at all on the trail. :(

[bouncybouncy]

I highly recommend the women's style packs! Especially if you are at a disadvantage with height. I have used the under-bike bottle cage but only for extra water I use while stopped and have the ability to wipe the top before eating mud (some of my rides can be up to 8 hours with no water supply) If you have the right cage it will stay just fine and not get in your way...just me I tried to hit it on logs many times!!!

I would NOT use a behind the seat cage on a mtbike if you plan on going down hill at any time...gets in your way when you are "getting behind the saddle" to avoid "going over the bars". I do know of a few guys who have them but their seat posts are so long that the bottle sits well below the seat.

Another option used quite a bit around here is a bottle in the jersey pocket...

[Aggie_Ama]

Another option used quite a bit around here is a bottle in the jersey pocket...

DH does this for racing. One in the cage, one in the pocket.

[Hound Dog]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

The Wingnut looks very interesting, but living in Canada it would cost too much by the time I added in shipping, duty, taxes etc.

I have thought about the bottles behind the seat, and I 'think' it would work. We ride mainly double track, forest service roads and any steep downhills we get off the bike. We prefer riding uphill to downhill. I like the look of the Profile RM System Jesvetmed suggested. Our rides are usually 2-6 hours depending on the day of the week. The longer rides I would have to carry more than 2 bottles for sure if the weather is hot.

This forum is great! Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

[Pedal Wench]

I also have the Juliana, and mounted my bottle holder below the bar. Bad idea -- I'm eating mud and gunk every time that I take a drink!!

Nalgene makes a bottle with a cover over the mouthpiece. http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=30

I use that for the mount under the downtube.

[Aggie_Ama]

I like the look of the Profile RM System Jesvetmed suggested. Our rides are usually 2-6 hours depending on the day of the week.

My husband has this on his road bike and the bottles do not stay secure on smooth pavement. It isn't all the time but when they are empty he has had problems losing them. They are really popular among the triathletes so maybe he just got a faulty one but you might be hopping off to chase bottles if you mount this system. You might have to be sure you have a really tight fitting bottle? It seems like certain ones fly right out when they are empty. I have not found this product to be worth the $50 (US) price tag.

[kenyonchris]

My SO is a semi-professional road cyclist, he carries all his stuff in his jersey pockets, including an extra water bottle, when riding on the road. He has decided to take up mountain biking on the side, bought a friend's 10 year old Specialized, and decided to meet me at our nearest trail. When I pulled up, I couldn't help but laugh...he had all his road gear on, sunglasses, arm warmers (with sponsor information on it), spandex, and, of course, all his gear in his jersey pocket, including water bottle. As we went down the trail, and he found that the wind on a trail is not usually a factor, off went the arm warmers. The shade made the sunglasses unnecessary. And not a mile into the trail, out popped the water bottle. I thought it was cute, and I tease him about it.
I use the Camelbak smallest women's model...anything bigger hurts my back. Here in Texas hot is the norm, and I don't have any problem being any hotter than I already am. There is no room on my Specialized for a bottle cage, so Camelbak it is.
On my RB I have two Arundel cages. WAY worth the $40.00 per cage.

[Aggie_Ama]

Chris- How funny. DH races Mountain and all the racers wear lycra.

I agree, when it is 90-100 degrees carrying a camelbak doesn't make me any hotter! Having 96 oz of water though does mean I don't pass out from dehydration. :p

[fatbottomedgurl]

Behind the saddle holder not a good idea because that's where you want to be when riding a steep descent.

Camelbacks are ideal because we tend to carry more stuff. You have to be completely self sufficient- tubes, pumps, tools, first aid, snacks, sleeping bag...just kidding.

[Red Rock]

This is not meant to sidetrack the original question...but...

Is there really much difference between the Camelback LUKE and the MULE? Does anyone know?

Red Rock

[Aggie_Ama]

I think the LUXE may be what they are now calling the women's M.U.L.E. I got it on sale last summer and have been pleased (hint- REI likes to put this Camelbak on sale). The straps are narrower than the MULE my husband has, maybe the whole product is narrower but they both hold 100 oz. This one has nicer straps than his MULE but his is a couple years old. FWIW- it doesn't look like they have changed the men's straps but maybe they have. Otherwise I say storage is identical- both have a ton! Basically, they are the same product but the LUXE is cut for narrower shoulders and maybe a shorter torso. I really wish the REI site showed the vent/padded back. I am sure you can find that if you looked. This is similar to mine, just a darker brown now.


http://www.rei.com/product/779957

[Red Rock]

Thanks Aggie- I have the MULE and have never tried on the the LUXE. I have a Cambelbak collection and if I purchased this one for women, I think my DH would faint entirely. Perhaps I should at least check it out. If the other works, I could put the MULE up for sale.

Red Rock

[jesvetmed]

Aggie: Just re-read this thread.... and low and behold, I have an REI dividend and a 20% off any one item coupon to spend. HMMMM.... brings that down to just about nothing! And nothing is my favorite price!:p
THANKS for the reminder and great idea!
Jes

[mtngirl]

Just saw your post. I ride a Julianna and almost never use a camelbak, I just don't like the way they feel. I use both bottle holders, the one on the bottom is where I keep the bottle I'm not currently drinking, either the full one or the empty one. When the top one is empty I switch the two and wipe off the one that was on the bottom. Works great for me. I did an endurance event Saturday and was very happy to not carry a camelbak for close to 9 hours. Most of the front of the pack people didn't. I carry my tire changing essentials in an under the seat pack and anything else I need in my shirt pockets.

[Aggie_Ama]

Aggie: Just re-read this thread.... and low and behold, I have an REI dividend and a 20% off any one item coupon to spend. HMMMM.... brings that down to just about nothing! And nothing is my favorite price!:p
THANKS for the reminder and great idea!
Jes

I do love my Luxe and it is available in a sassy Garnet/Maroon color this year. So unfair- Aggie Maroon! :p But really for a huge pack it is shockingly comfortable and I am sorta petite, not teeny tiny but smaller build. Free or close to it, that is my price!

[Hound Dog]

Just saw your post. I ride a Julianna and almost never use a camelbak, I just don't like the way they feel. I use both bottle holders, the one on the bottom is where I keep the bottle I'm not currently drinking, either the full one or the empty one. When the top one is empty I switch the two and wipe off the one that was on the bottom. Works great for me. I did an endurance event Saturday and was very happy to not carry a camelbak for close to 9 hours. Most of the front of the pack people didn't. I carry my tire changing essentials in an under the seat pack and anything else I need in my shirt pockets.

hummmm my Juliana only has the 'bolts' for a water bottle holder on the bottom tube and I'm not certain there is room for a bottle on the top. I have a size small frame??? How did you mount the bottle on the top tube? Sounds like you have a nice set up.... what type of pack do you have under the seat?

For commuting to work and longer rides where I'll need to carry more items I just ordered an Ergon pack. The weight is supposed to sit on the hips and not the shoulders. Check out the info and video....

http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/backpacks/bd1.html

[Hound Dog]

:D The Ergon packs come in three sizes, I ordered the small version for both my hubby and myself. They arrived yesterday. Well worth the $155.00 CAN! The weight of the pack sits on your hips... you don't feel any weight on your back or shoulders..... it feels like the pack is empty. There is separation between the pack and your back, which allows lots of airflow so I shouldn't get overheated.

Ergon put a lot of thought into creating their packs, I highly recommend them!

[BellaMTB]

I just found this thread by "googling" the same problem - I just got a new Superlight (same design as the Juliana) and found the "small" size only has room for the bottle at the VERY bottom :( I really don't want to use a hydration pack if I don't have to. Also, I like to take liquids other than water, which I understand you can't use in the hydration pack. I am interested in that behind-the-seat bottle holder if it comes in a small, single-bottle version, as the dual type would prevent adequate "clearance" to descend properly (as someone already mentioned). Hmmm . . .

Happy but Thirsty

[ZenSojourner]

Why not take other liquids in your pack? I've done it, you just have to be sure to clean the reservoir out right away. I use a wide-mouth reservoir (hydraback style) that opens completely at the top, new ones are even fully reversible. You should have no problem carrying other stuff besides plain water.

[BellaMTB]

Thanks, ZenSojourner -

I just found one of those "reversible" reservoirs at the LBS for the hydration pack - I think that might allow me to drink some type of caloric liquid & still keep it clean. I'm going to give it a try.

J