Xlab Carbon Wing hydration system

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07-11-2009, 06:33 PM
Miranda

Xlab Carbon Wing hydration system

http://www.xlab-usa.com/carbon_wing.html

Anyone own this in the link above / thread title? If so, how do you like it?

Btw, this would be going on my road bike (carbon seat post & Terry Butterfly Tri-Gel saddle w/Vanox rails). I'm not a tri / bike gal.

Training for my first century and am struggling on where to stop for water refills on longer rides in my rual area. I have two carbon side loader cages on my smaller frame that fits 2 large bottles now. Plus still need a place to do 'something' with the flat supplies etc.

This would be in addition to what hydration I have now. I thought about using my mtb CamelBak. But, my back is sensitive to weight (back issues) the only way I tolerate wearing it mtb is that the ride time is much less than road. Greater varied position too mtb.

It seems like over-kill on my road bike. But, I've run outta water before. Not fun:(.

Any other ideas /thoughts, I'm open:).
07-11-2009, 06:44 PM
sarahspins

I have a profile aqua rack on my bike which is similar and about 1/4 the price :D

I like it so far, I've only had it about a month.
07-11-2009, 06:48 PM
Zen

I'm thinking of getting this one.
it looks a lot less complicated.

Or there's this 1.3 liter lumbar pack.

I recently ran out of water too.
I had money with me, saw a machine, pulled out my money to discover a five dollar bill.
The internal dialogue went something like "Machines don't take five dollar bills, you dummy."
07-12-2009, 10:12 AM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahspins

I have a profile aqua rack on my bike which is similar and about 1/4 the price :D

I like it so far, I've only had it about a month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen

I'm thinking of getting this one.
it looks a lot less complicated.

Or there's this 1.3 liter lumbar pack.

I recently ran out of water too.
I had money with me, saw a machine, pulled out my money to discover a five dollar bill.
The internal dialogue went something like "Machines don't take five dollar bills, you dummy."

Thx for the replies. OK...

Here is my concern when I looked at both of those posted, which I like btw, they mount to the seat post. I have a carbon seat post. I thought you were not suppose to clamp things onto your carbon seat post due to risk of damage?:confused:

I realize we are not taking about a seat post carrying rack here that we are going to load w/camping gear for touring. But how much can the carbon seat post take?:confused: This water thing set up?:confused:

Today as I left for my ride, I was looking at my saddle rails. Mine is pretty far back. I'm not sure I could clamp the Xlab carbon wing onto my rails: meaning, not enough mounting space.

I know some peeps run an alum post on their carbon bikes to be able to clamp stuff to it etc. But, I'm pretty happy with how things are set up bike wise. Not sure I want to mess with that.

I carry $ with me also to buy more water. Which I have done. It's just finding a place on the route in the cornfields of Mayberry here to buy it. Though I have considered stopping at a farm house and pleding my case. Provided the farm dog doesn't eat me before I get to the front porch:eek::rolleyes:.
07-12-2009, 10:16 AM
sarahspins

There is a version that clamps to your seat rails and not the seatpost... you'll probably have to google for it though, but it does exist :)
07-12-2009, 01:11 PM
tctrek

Here's the one that mounts to your saddle rails: http://www.rei.com/product/768770 . DH and I both have them and they have proven invaluable on long rides where there aren't convenience stores where you can purchase water. And they keep the bottles very secure.
07-12-2009, 01:40 PM
sarahspins

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctrek

And they keep the bottles very secure.

Yes they do.. I even took the rubber bands off the cages, and they still work great. I did read a couple of reviews that said bottles were prone to "bouncing out" of the profile racks, but honestly I don't see that being a real possibility unless you're doing a lot of off-road riding, or using bottles that just don't fit well. My camelbaks fit very snugly, which is why I took off those bands - it was actually kind of difficult to put the bottles in one-handed.

The cages are replaceable if you have some specific need for something else (lighter, fits different bottles, etc)
07-12-2009, 03:13 PM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahspins

There is a version that clamps to your seat rails and not the seatpost... you'll probably have to google for it though, but it does exist :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctrek

Here's the one that mounts to your saddle rails: http://www.rei.com/product/768770 . DH and I both have them and they have proven invaluable on long rides where there aren't convenience stores where you can purchase water. And they keep the bottles very secure.

:)Thx for that info and the link!

OK... now what about the saddle bag for flat tire supplies etc.?:confused: Will a saddle bag mount underneath the bottles in back? Or do you have to figure something else out for storage for your saddle bag stuff?:confused:

Btw, I just go back from driving a new route in my vehicle to add onto my current one. Same thing... good route / low traffic... just no water places *sigh*. Hmmm. Seriously time to buy more H2O carrying capacity.
07-12-2009, 03:18 PM
OakLeaf

Have you tried re-positioning the straps on your Camelbak? I can ride in my Platypus as long as I loosen the straps so that it rides low on my back. If I leave them in "hiking" position, they really hurt my back on the bike. Also, my packs are the kind that have the waist strap as well as the sternum strap - it does seem that some of the Camelbak brand packs ride very high.

A really dorky solution would be to stow a hydration pack in a handlebar bag. Better than running out of water. You'd probably be limited in the amount you could carry up there, though, just because of weight considerations.
07-12-2009, 03:34 PM
Miranda

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Have you tried re-positioning the straps on your Camelbak? I can ride in my Platypus as long as I loosen the straps so that it rides low on my back. If I leave them in "hiking" position, they really hurt my back on the bike. Also, my packs are the kind that have the waist strap as well as the sternum strap - it does seem that some of the Camelbak brand packs ride very high.

A really dorky solution would be to stow a hydration pack in a handlebar bag. Better than running out of water. You'd probably be limited in the amount you could carry up there, though, just because of weight considerations.

Hey Oakleaf... thx for that tip...

Actually, that is another thing I did on my outting to map the route... went to sporting good store to look at diff CamelBaks. My mtb one is the ladies Charm. Just as you say: sits high w/sternum strap only.

The store had one other pack that caught my eye initially cuz it was hot pink:cool:. Plus, cuz it had more pockets which my Charm CB does not have so much. This one was called "the Mini Mule". I'm thinking about getting it for mtb just for extra storage. And it does have a waist strap, plus sternum. But, maybe I could try it on the roadie on a short ride to see how it felt.

My last fleeting thought on the drive home was to take the CamelBak bladder and strap it to the back of my saddle bag as a desperate H2O storage measure. Well, at least until I figure something else out.