Staying hydrated

[JoeBlow]

My Trek Powerfly will not take a bottle mount and when I'm on the downhill tracks I would prefer not to carry a hydration pack. The downhill trails at FOD are fairly short but when I have pedaled to the top I need a drink even though I may not be technically dehydrated. I have tried a bum bag with a small 350ml bottle which is better but still not ideal. How would you solve this problem? What about gels, do they work?

It seems such a trivial thing but having bottle mounts would be high on my list of requirements if I buy another bike.

Al

 

[MrBrownstone]

Jersey pocket. Most jerseys have 3. Use the center pocket for the bottle. In my 3 pockets I carry a spare tube, tool pack, phone, snacks, and a bottle. Fortunately my BMC has a cage and room for another large bottle. Gels are good but not without water.

 

[CH61S]

I prefer to take a hydration pack. Carry a fre tools and mobile phone. It also offers a small amount of back protection if you come off which isn't a bad thing.

 

[JoeBlow]

Jersey pocket. Most jerseys have 3. Use the center pocket for the bottle. In my 3 pockets I carry a spare tube, tool pack, phone, snacks, and a bottle. Fortunately my BMC has a cage and room for another large bottle. Gels are good but not without water.

I have 2 x specific mountain biking jerseys. Neither have pockets and in any case I would not fancy carrying all the stuff you carry in pockets. It's probably OK on cross country but I wouldn't be keen on aggressive downhills.

Al

 

[JoeBlow]

I prefer to take a hydration pack. Carry a fre tools and mobile phone. It also offers a small amount of back protection if you come off which isn't a bad thing.

Even on short steep trail centre downhills?

Al

 

[MrBrownstone]

I have 2 x specific mountain biking jerseys. Neither have pockets and in any case I would not fancy carrying all the stuff you carry in pockets. It's probably OK on cross country but I wouldn't be keen on aggressive downhills.

Al

What makes a jersey a mtb specific one? Sounds Kinda like an overpriced wicking shirt with no pockets.?‍

for trail center DH carrying a single bottle in a pocket is no biggie. You won’t need to carry much else at those kinda places.

 

[JoeBlow]

What makes a jersey a mtb specific one? Sounds like a way overpriced wicking shirt with no pockets.?‍

Cut and fit? Capability to put elbow guards underneath? Road cycling jerseys tend to be VERY tight fitting so IMO inappropriate and I simply don't find them comfy. But you are probably right which is why I sometimes just use a cheaper wicking shirt. I have never seen any of the latter with pockets however so I'm not sure where you are headed with this argument.

Al

 

[CH61S]

Even on short steep trail centre downhills?

Al

Yeah. You still need tools wherever you ride imo. 1l of water in a pack doesn't bother me tbh but I get some people don't like to carry any size bag.

 

[JoeBlow]

Yeah. You still need tools wherever you ride imo. 1l of water in a pack doesn't bother me tbh but I get some people don't like to carry any size bag.

To be fair at the Forest of Dean you are never that far from base. So even if the trail is a long trail they tend to switch and curve but there is always a short straight line back once you get to know your way around.

Al

 

[boBE]

I use two of these: Moosetreks Bike Stem Bag
The bottom of the bag rests on the top of the fork so it adds some support. The bags are also rainproof so I can stash my phone and wallet in there in case of a sudden storm (Florida, where 10% chance of rain means we may get soaked at any minute). I don't ride really rough trails so these may not work on those but so far they have been good.

 

[Hobo Mikey]

I use my camelbak every ride out and has been said if you tumble it’s a bit of protection also. You just get used having it there.

 

[JoeBlow]

I use two of these: Moosetreks Bike Stem Bag
The bottom of the bag rests on the top of the fork so it adds some support. The bags are also rainproof so I can stash my phone and wallet in there in case of a sudden storm (Florida, where 10% chance of rain means we may get soaked at any minute). I don't ride really rough trails so these may not work on those but so far they have been good.

They would not work on the trails I ride but thanks for the idea.

Al

 

[JoeBlow]

I use my camelbak every ride out and has been said if you tumble it’s a bit of protection also. You just get used having it there.

You may have got used to having it there, I didn't . It also seems a bit overkill when all I want is a means of carrying about 350ml of fluid.

Al

 

[MrBrownstone]

How about a seat mounted bottle cage/holder?

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I have an evoc hydration pack, carry all tools and spares in it as well and once im riding its so well secured on my back i dont notice it

 

[Andrie]

I’m sorry what makes the trek powerful not take a bottle mount. I looked at the pictures and I think it can. If you need to shift the mount down or up or to the side a little, wolf tooth components make great stuff.

B-RAD Mounting Bases

The B-RAD system begins with a series of slotted Mounting Bases. Available in a variety of sizes, B-RAD bases can shift a bottle cage away from inconvenient rear shocks on your mountain bike, add room for tools or tubes below a bottle cage, or even provide space for a second bottle on...

www.wolftoothcomponents.com

 

[Pdoz]

I use a topcage bottle holder with straps , and a small bottle

ANYWHERE TOPCAGE - SKS GERMANY

mount it anywhere on the bike frame, TOPCAGE bottle cage, strap for wider frame tube diameters to 80 mm, also shorter straps are available

www.sks-germany.com

Another option to consider is a small top tube or frame bag ?

 

[JoeBlow]

I have a dropper post fitted so I can't attach anything to the seat post. A frame bag does not fit the top tube (I have tried) as the frame is not evenly shaped and the straps do not attach securely because of this. I can't fit on the frame where a mount would normally go because of the battery (I'ts the model with the battery on top and slightly protruding). A handle bar mount is a viable option but aesthetically I'm not keen and I think I would find it a distraction, I like a clean cockpit.

Al

 

[IanVersion2]

Maybe try one of these, you could chuck it in your shorts pockets?

 

[JoeBlow]

Maybe try one of these, you could chuck it in your shorts pockets?

I bought the Camelback version which unfortunately has a wide, solid screw cap. I had hoped it would go in a top tube bag. It does, but I can't fasten the bag to the bike. This looks like a good alternative but the one shown is a bit on the large side. Thank you, I will investigate further.

Al

 

[OldGoatMTB]

My Trek Powerfly will not take a bottle mount and when I'm on the downhill tracks I would prefer not to carry a hydration pack. The downhill trails at FOD are fairly short but when I have pedaled to the top I need a drink even though I may not be technically dehydrated. I have tried a bum bag with a small 350ml bottle which is better but still not ideal. How would you solve this problem? What about gels, do they work?

It seems such a trivial thing but having bottle mounts would be high on my list of requirements if I buy another bike.

Al

Ditto on jersey pockets. On most of my rides I use them for water, phone and keys. On longer ride I go with a Camelbak and more tools and supplies.

 

[Roughshod]

Have you tried a waist/hip/bum bag type affair?

 

[JoeBlow]

Have you tried a waist/hip/bum bag type affair?

Yes. It's my preferred option to date but I'm still slightly aware of it round my waist and I'm attempting to not carry anything on my person.

Al

 

[Roughshod]

I think the only other options are to stop off at public taps / pubs / cafes / get a new bike that can take a bottle / get someone else to carry water for you / drink from puddles and streams.

 

[JoeBlow]

I think the only other options are to stop off at public taps / pubs / cafes / get a new bike that can take a bottle / get someone else to carry water for you / drink from puddles and streams.

Funnily enough I was in a bike shop yesterday trying to justify to myself buying a Specialised Levo. I actually said to the guy in the shop, in a joking but not joking kind of way, that such a trivial thing as not having bottle cage mount would possibly be a deal breaker for me.

Al

 

[Roughshod]

Tell them when you buy it that I'm looking forward to my commission!

 

[Andrie]

This thing will let you mount bottle cage almost anywhere. Maybe this can help

 

[JoeBlow]

This thing will let you mount bottle cage almost anywhere. Maybe this can help

That's worth a further look but I'm still limited by frame shape and lack of space. Thank you.

Al

 

[j_s]

Can you take a pic of the frame just so everyone can see what you are dealing with?

I have the same issue on my orange five, zero room for a cage on that frame so I'm getting a fidlock 450ml bottle + universal base to sit on top tube closer to stem, not ideal. I had slight issue with fitting cage + bottle to my trek rail actually so got the fidlock 590ml bottle which just fits

 

[JoeBlow]