Can you refill an aero water bottle on the bike?

[beetle]

Ok, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I've seen lots of shots and talk in magazines about how good waterbottles on the front of the bike are for long distance rides, HIMs and IMs as you can stay in the aero position and drink. But.....from the look they only hold a litre or so. What do you do when they run out and have to use the other bottles on the other mounts? Is there an easy way to refil them or do you just have to give up your aero position and drink sitting up from the other bottles?

[anakiwa]

It's pretty easy to pour water into the aero bottle without taking it off the bike (the one I have has the yellow sponge- you just pour the water through it). If you're talking about during a race, the one trick is getting the cap off the bottles that are handed to you at aid stations (they can be on there pretty tight).

[Wahine]

Agreed. It's pretty easy to fill an aero bottle. I have an aero bottle and a two bottle carrier behind my seat. I fill the aero with these once it's empty. I find the snap-on type lids best for this. The screw tops are much harder to open as you ride.

[Pedal Wench]

For years I wondered what the sponges were for! Now I get it! Thanks!

Is that their only purpose? Silly me thought they were to give the straw some room to move.

[beetle]

wow, thanks. Sounds so easy.....until I have a shot at it!

[Wahine]

For years I wondered what the sponges were for! Now I get it! Thanks!

Is that their only purpose? Silly me thought they were to give the straw some room to move.

The sponges also dissipate the movement of the liquid in the bottle, thereby preventing it from slopping out the top so easily when you hit a bumpy bit in the road. They are very effective.

[anakiwa]

The sponges are very effective. However, they can bounce out when you hit a really big bump (happened to me going over an unanticipated speed bump in a race last summer). When you don't have the sponge, you realize just how useful it is (otherwise water flies out of the bottle every time there's any vibration in the road).