Xlab Carbon Wing hydration system

[Miranda]

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.

[sarahspins]

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

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

[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."

[Miranda]

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

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

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?

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? This water thing set up?

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.

[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

[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.

[sarahspins]

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)

[Miranda]

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

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.? 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?

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.