My Vanity and Pretty Tacx Bottle Cages

[Eden]

Camelback.

'Nuff said.

not really - some of us would find this to be terribly uncomfortable and/or have other reasons that we cannot use one and need a solution that allows bottles

[ZenSojourner]

Have you ever used one? I'm not sure what sort of discomfort you fear, but I've never had any.

At any rate, for those of us who's properly configured bike frames don't allow easy access to water bottles, a camelback is a wonderful thing. Also, I've found since switching to a camelback I drink more frequently. I actually don't use the camelback brand, my first one was a camelback, but the ones I'm using now have velcro closures instead of the narrow opening on the camelback, basically I can clean it much more easily. It's open all the way across the top, then you velcro it closed and roll it up kind of like a dry bag. I have 2 sizes, one as big as I could get for those 50 to 75 mile rides, and a smaller one for short rides/commuting.

If you don't like 'em, don't use 'em, but don't dismiss it out of hand for everyone. My camelback means I can ride with one to no bottles, still have my frame pump, and not have to worry about dehydrating. I literally do not notice it up there on my back. And I ride in some heat, over 100 on blacktop.

Otherwise I'd have to carry water in my panniers and stop to get a drink, because I only have room for one small water bottle on my short-person, small-frame bike. And it's hard to get in and out while riding.

I'm awful glad I don't have to try to manage with "traditional" water bottles.

[sundial]

All Camelbaks are not created equal. Some do sit wrong on the back, or the straps dig into the shoulder, or what have you. I have one and use it occasionally--even on my mtb. I usually carry water bottles.

[ZenSojourner]

Just like a bike seat, or a whole bike for that matter - find one that fits YOU.

[MartianDestiny]

I swear by my camelbak on the mountain bike.

Thought I wouldn't care on the road bike. WRONG. I didn't care when I rode with it, but then I rode without it. Huge difference. I still wear it on the mountain bike (only reasonable way to keep the amounts of water, food, first aid, and bike tools I need on a mtn. ride with me) but not again on the roadie (unless it's a crazy long, unassisted, leisurely ride).

I have XS, sloping top tube frames. I've still managed to get two full sized bottles on them (side loading cages are my friend). I do have to switch the seattube bottle to the downtube cage to use it, but I haven't found that to be a big deal.

I can see how a bike any smaller than mine would relegate someone to smaller bottles, which could necessitate alternative means of hydration on longer rides. Not many bikes are smaller than mine though! The OP could, if she chose, go to side loaders and run full size (or very nearly) in both cages. I can see why she wouldn't want to though with the awesome matching job she's done.

Camelbaks work for some applications, but they aren't the end all and be all some try to make them out to be. Certainly they have their drawbacks.

[Eden]

Not sure why you are so defensive.... I never said they were bad for everyone, they just aren't the end all and be all solution for everyone. Personally I have a bad shoulder and any strap, even on a light, well supported backpack would bother me pretty quickly. I also race and would not be able to use one then even if I wanted to, so I need to be able to use my bottle cages.

There's nothing wrong with them. It's good that a camelback works for you, but its not really "nuff said", some of us do need to use bottle cages and need to talk about solutions using them.

[ZenSojourner]

" 'Nuff said" was intended to be humorous, not whatever you seem to think it was. Which I frankly can't quite figure out.

Interesting that you characterize me explaining my point of view as "defensive". LOL!

Like I said, if it doesn't work for you, don't use it - and I know from shoulder pain, I'm still recovering from frozen shoulder and don't have full range of motion in that shoulder, probably never will again.

Between the bad shoulder on the left, and the bad elbow on the right, I just don't want to be struggling with getting a water bottle in and out of a cage with next to no clearance, LOL!

All I'm saying is that a camelback-style hydration system is an option. And again, if it doesn't work for you, that's a shame, nobody says you have to use it after all. It all depends on your motivation to try something new and different, which is probably lacking if you have enough room on your bike to fit a couple of full size bottles, and the mobility to feel comfortable reaching around to snag them.

For me, the camelback gives me all the water I need for even long rides, leaving the frame mounted water bottle for gatorade. So when I stop, I can wriggle the water bottle out and have some alternate hydration to go with my peanut butter crackers, raisins, or dates, and still have easy access to water while I ride.

[canonsue]

I use a camelbak with my mountain bike, but have not ridden my new road bike enough to see if I would like it or not. However, I think for very long rides and touring it probably is a good idea for me.

I will say that last time I backpacked it was great to not have to take off the pack to find my water bottle. (oops, wrong forum)

-Sue

[tzvia]

I almost make 5'2" if I try very hard to stand up real straight, and ride a 44cm Ruby. As much as I would like to use a light weight beautiful cage like those, I know I will need to yank the seat-tube bottle sideways, so I use these:


They are Elite Ciussi tubular SS cages. Not as light or pretty as the CF cages I wish I could use, but they 'give' a bit so I can get the bottle out. They look kinda retro on a CF bike, but I just don't have the room to pull the bottle straight up. They do work great; I've never lost a bottle, even on my MTB (use it for an energy drink.)

Camelbacks are fine for MTB, where you need to carry more water than you would on a road bike (no 711 on the mountain side), but the weight, carried high on the back or hips, just does not feel right on a road ride IMO. I used to do that, but went back to the bottle, and much prefer it.

[smurfalicious]

Your bike is designed for Dale's Pale Ale or Bud Light only on the seat tube. I agree that Dale's is one fine brew in a can. No, really, they should have put one of the bottle cage bosses below the front derailleur mount-it usually works well there and still allows for a bigger bottle...but, nevermind...

If you are ready to explore with other cages, you might consider the one made by Velocity. Not nearly so space agey and blendy with the frame, but they have some adjustability in how they attach so you could get it a few mm lower on the seat tube and probably have good access that way. The only side-access cages I have seen don't impress me.

Ha ha yes indeed that is the answer. If only it was a cross bike, then it would be 100% appropriate. I do, actually, enjoy taking a long ride out to Oskar Blues, chilling on the patio for a burger and beer, filling up water bottles, emptying my bladder and heading home.

I'm just frustrated because my friend I bought it from seems to think it's no big deal that I have to use a "solution" type cage on a 52.5cm frame. Blue is a small company, certainly she can put a bug in someone's ear. This is a totally racey bike, and I plan to race on it so I need two functional cages, and I ideally they should make me swoon. There's a size smaller than mine, what in the world are they supposed to do?

So that said, Camelbak is um, way out. I think that looks so dorky on the road.* Not to mention out on the road, as opposed to in the trees, you're in the sun all the time and those things get HOT! I've lived in BFE, and do most of my riding on BFE roads and there's nowhere so far that hasn't been more than two water bottles away from a quicky mart with fresh, cold beverages. I like to carry different things, and refilling a Camelbak sounds like such a hassle. And I've found that much like eating in front of a TV riding with a Camelbak makes me drink too much. And unlike rural Oregon there a way fewer places to steathfully pee.

Now there is the new Camelback Racebak that is part baselayer, and part Camelbak, but it just sounds like a laundry nightmare if I wanted to use it regularly. However, it might be my crit solution because I am so lopsided that I could take out a whole pack trying to get my bottles. So bad that I might end up going 45 minutes with no water. I've never done a crit, but I doubt that's "just what you do."

*Note I said, "think." This is merely my opinion and nothing to get butthurt over.

[Eden]

tzvia - I ride a 44cm ruby too. I've got these cages
and they work great for me. This design with the front open and very low works nicely. They have enough give to get the bottles in and out, but they are stiff enough to keep them securely held. They are light and pretty good looking to boot. (not to mention pretty cheap for carbon cages at $30 each) When I first got them I was afraid they'd break - they look and feel so fragile, but I've had them for a couple of years now with no problems.

[SnappyPix]

I have the same problem. I have Arundel cages...

http://www.arundelbike.com/products.html

they are FABULOUS, come in all different types (yes, they are carbon and yes, expensive!) including side entry....

I lived with one short bottle and one tall bottle for a while, but in Texas heat that doesn't cut it on a long ride.

I promise these will make you twittery!

Nice bike!

Kenyonchris, thanks for the heads-up on the Arundel cages.
They're exactly what I've been looking for. I have an XS frame and struggle even with 500ml bottles.
They even do right and left side entry versions.

Sorry for the hijack, Smurf.
Hope you find the right cage for you.
Tall order as the Tao cages do look good with your frame, together with the Camelbak bottles.
I currently have the Taos on my frame - but have exactly the same problems.

[sundial]

" 'Nuff said" was intended to be humorous, not whatever you seem to think it was. Interesting that you characterize me explaining my point of view as "defensive". LOL!

It can come across wrong, and it was a little unsettling for me. Impressions are limited to typed replies.

I do enjoy my Camelbak and it does fit. I start wearing it on the road bike during long rides when temps are above 90 so that I don't get too dehydrated. I also use it on the mtb, but lately my preferences have shifted to bottle cages.

[lunacycles]

I almost make 5'2" if I try very hard to stand up real straight, and ride a 44cm Ruby. As much as I would like to use a light weight beautiful cage like those, I know I will need to yank the seat-tube bottle sideways, so I use these:


They are Elite Ciussi tubular SS cages. Not as light or pretty as the CF cages I wish I could use, but they 'give' a bit so I can get the bottle out. They look kinda retro on a CF bike, but I just don't have the room to pull the bottle straight up. They do work great; I've never lost a bottle, even on my MTB (use it for an energy drink.)

Camelbacks are fine for MTB, where you need to carry more water than you would on a road bike (no 711 on the mountain side), but the weight, carried high on the back or hips, just does not feel right on a road ride IMO. I used to do that, but went back to the bottle, and much prefer it.

On this bike Specialized used their collective brain and put one of the bottle bosses BELOW the front derailleur clamp on the seat tube. On Smurf's bike they are both above the clamp. Your bike is smaller than Smurf's but fits a bottle hers won't. It's not the cage that is magical. It is someone thinking about details.

[VeloVT]

Poor Smurf. I keep looking at the picture and hoping that some magical solution will pop into my head.

At first I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it because my bike is a smallar than yours and compact (XS/49 with a 51.5 cm virtual tt), and even though it's a bit tight, I can functionally fit two 24oz bottles on it -- they *do* have to be the new wide-mouth, screw top style that's a teeny bit shorter than the old "flip-top" style, but I can actually use them both while riding.



But as Margo points out, the lower boss on my bike is below the derailleur mount. Grrr. Boo on Blue.

Have you thought about Arundel side loader cages? I have regular Arundel cages on the bike in the picture and I've been very happy -- they're very solid but also reasonably flexible. Not that light though.

Anyway, I hope you find something that works. I empathize!