Just....questions

[Cyclechik]

Hi All - I'm a newer rider and I'm looking for some advice. I've put about 150 miles on my S40 (nicknamed Zippy) and I still don't feel comfortable enough to take a hand off to drink. Do you remember about how long it took you to be able to drink? Did you coast or pedal when you started reaching for your bottle (or drink tube)?

I would really like to ride Zippy in the Tour de Steamboat in August, but I REALLY don't want to have to stop each time I need a drink. I have cages mounted below the seat and in the Race Cage that I've practiced with on the trainer. I prefer the ones in the Race Cage; they just feel easier for me. I've considered using a bladder, but I'd still have to free up a hand to get to the tube. Any tricks or tips you have for me to try or practice are appreciated!

 

[Ramnob42]

Everyone will be different but it took me better than 3 months (1000 miles) to get to the comfort level I was looking for. Before that point I had to think it through each time.

 

[Mike Cassera]

150 miles is really short for most newbies. You will be amazed how confident you will feel at 500 to 1000 miles. And it's gets better at 2000. Have you switched to clip-in pedals yet?

 

[Cyclechik]

150 miles is really short for most newbies. You will be amazed how confident you will feel at 500 to 1000 miles. And it's gets better at 2000. Have you switched to clip-in pedals yet?

Oh yes. And I went to a 2x to help with steeper hills (I live at 6300'). I'm still working on my climbing; it's coming along slowly. I just really don't much care for stopping when I need a sip, especially when I was used to taking one every 5 minutes or so. I read elsewhere on the forum that someone used a breakaway lanyard attached to his camelbak tube, and I'm thinking I might give that a try.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Oh yes. And I went to a 2x to help with steeper hills (I live at 6300'). I'm still working on my climbing; it's coming along slowly. I just really don't much care for stopping when I need a sip, especially when I was used to taking one every 5 minutes or so. I read elsewhere on the forum that someone used a breakaway lanyard attached to his camelbak tube, and I'm thinking I might give that a try.

This is on my chest. It is a 3L hydration bag in a 6L North Face bag and I love it. It's just as light or maybe even lighter than four 750ml bottles and provides a little extra storage for my phone, headphone case, credit card and cash, and a small bottle of sun cream. The best thing is that I can adjust the amount of ice for a lot of cooling and hydration powder depending on the length and temperature of the ride. Also, I don't have to worry about bottles getting ejected. It reduces the chest clearance to my bars a little so I have to be a tad careful when sitting up, but the amount of cooling it gives on hot Summer days is very nice.

 

[MNBentRider]

I've put about 150 miles on my S40 (nicknamed Zippy) and I still don't feel comfortable enough to take a hand off to drink. Do you remember about how long it took you to be able to drink? Did you coast or pedal when you started reaching for your bottle (or drink tube)?

I currently have two bottle cages on my S40 (nicknamed Superbike) - one on my left side in my race cage, and the other on my right side behind my seat. I wasn't sure which one would be easier for me to use. For me, the race cage position worked out better, although I'll admit the maneuver ends up being strange. Grabbing it from the race cage means the bottle is upside down and I found I didn't like drinking from it that way. So I retrieve the bottle and sort of lean it against my chest to turn it over. Then I take a few sips, lean it again to turn it upside down again, and return it to the race cage. This seemed very silly to me at first, but now I don't even think about it, and you may be more comfortable drinking from it upside down than I was. I started working on drinking from bottles around 200 miles or so. I rode alone on quieter streets and explicitly practiced bottle management until I felt comfortable doing it at slower speeds. It probably took me another couple hundred miles before I could do it at faster speeds around other riders.

Recently I've tried using the other bottle cage that is located behind me - I'm still only accessing that one at low speeds, but now that I can handle the bike better, maybe I can get good at this position as well. Also, I think the position behind me works better when I am stopped at a light, as I prefer sitting up when stopped.

Good luck!

 

[Doccus]

I remember that I couldn’t imagine ever being able to let go to get a bottle to drink. It’s not a sudden change but from 500-1000 miles, it ALL got easier. I still prefer a Camelbak in my race cage with tube rubberbanded to head support and over my shoulder. It still takes one hand to raise to my lips. It may slip off of my shoulder if I sit forward or stand but the rubberband to the support makes it a simple sweep of the arm to pick it back up. Everyone finds what works best for them.

 

[Jamon Smallgoods]

I’ve had my S40 (Penelope) for about 12 months (though I was off it for 3 months during ski season) and have done 5,000 km and around 50,000m of elevation; it’s a 2x12.

I find it pretty easy to get a drink bottle from cages under the seat. I stop peddling and cruise, so that my legs can hold the front wheel straight. Probably best to have a moderate pace when doing this so you don’t get to stall speed. I use SPD clip in shoes / peddles, which I think help the connection to the bike.

I recognise it is different for each of us, but don’t over think it. It’s a bike - you sit on the seat, hang onto the handle bars and rotate the peddles. And don’t panic, it’s easy to get your feet onto the ground to steady yourself if you need.

 

[Greg S]

I fabricated a couple of mounts that attach to the rack mounts below the seat and I find it pretty easy to drink from the bottles. Having said that, I think there’s a progression:

- the basics (get underway first time most of the time, able to hold a line, etc)
- comfortable (get underway first time every time, can take one hand off the bars, can handle most “on road” situations - stop signs/red lights, sharp or u-turns, can hold a line on climbs, etc)
- proficient (it’s just a bike, ride as normal)

For me, the transition from basic to comfortable took about 300-400 miles and comfortable to proficient about 1,000.

But everybody is different. Like you, I was stopping to drink at the basic level but after 300 miles or so (maybe a little less) I could take one hand off the bars and from there it was a relatively short time until I could take a drink.

When I was at that stage I usually waited to drink until I was on a slight downhill with no traffic and no turns coming up.

Here‘s a shot of the mounts. Easy to make, just a couple of pieces of aluminum you can get at any hardware store. I rattle can painted them to match but not really necessary.

 

[Cyclechik]

I fabricated a couple of mounts that attach to the rack mounts below the seat and I find it pretty easy to drink from the bottles. Having said that, I think there’s a progression:

- the basics (get underway first time most of the time, able to hold a line, etc)
- comfortable (get underway first time every time, can take one hand off the bars, can handle most “on road” situations - stop signs/red lights, sharp or u-turns, can hold a line on climbs, etc)
- proficient (it’s just a bike, ride as normal)

For me, the transition from basic to comfortable took about 300-400 miles and comfortable to proficient about 1,000.

But everybody is different. Like you, I was stopping to drink at the basic level but after 300 miles or so (maybe a little less) I could take one hand off the bars and from there it was a relatively short time until I could take a drink.

When I was at that stage I usually waited to drink until I was on a slight downhill with no traffic and no turns coming up.

Here‘s a shot of the mounts. Easy to make, just a couple of pieces of aluminum you can get at any hardware store. I rattle can painted them to match but not really necessary.

That looks great!!

 

[Cyclechik]

Thanks, all, for the insights! I like knowing how others handle different situations...it helps me set up my own strategy. I can sometimes take a hand off the bars to signal, but grabbing a bottle takes a little more effort, time & concentration. WAY more than I have at this point. I will continue to rack up the miles & time until I feel more comfortable.

BTW - my spouse likes to help me customize my bikes...he got these decals for me after I'd named it!

 

[Robert Holler]

For an easier to reach bottle situation behind the seat - I recommend doing a new drilling to lower the position of the bottle cages. The stock position is higher but if you use a nice new bit to make new lower holes the reach-back will be easier.

I already have spec'ed future seats to have these lower positions pre-drilled, but for existing bikes you can lower them or position as you would like.

This goes for the CF seat and the resin ones as well. Note in this pic of my A4x I drilled the resin seat back for new holes as low as I could - for better reach and also I use the really tall bottles.

 

[Cyclechik]

For an easier to reach bottling behind the seat - I recommend doing a new drilling to lower the position of the bottle cages. The stock position is higher but if you use a nice new bit to make new lower holes the reach-back will be easier.

I already have spec'ed future seats to have these lower potions pre-drilled but for existing bikes you can lower them or position as you would like.

This goes for the CF seat and the resin ones as well. Note in this pic of my A4x I drilled the resin seat back for new holes as low as I could - for better reach and also I use the really tall bottles.

This made me smile! LOVE the banana holder!! X-D I noticed when I was testing out the underseat holders on the trainer that the right side one was almost impossible for me to grab due to shoulder issues, so that suggestion of lowering it makes a LOT of sense! Thanks!

 

[Robert Holler]

Also as far as doing the one-hand reach. Try not to over-grip the bars and think about it too much. The most common thing I see is a bit too much of a constant over-controlling of the bars. The key is relaxing with control.

Before long you will be even able to take pics and video one-handed. Here is one I pulled my iPhone out of the handlebar mount to get a vid of Jim passing me (of course) on a climb.

IMG_3649.MOV

drive.google.com