Run Run Away

Question:

PS – Brian, I finally broke down, bought a new pair of running shoes and retired my 5-year old pair.  The midsoles were disintegrating and the outer soles were coming off and flopping around when I ran.  Do you think I got enough wear out of them?

Well done – but you could have used them longer.  Two words – Shoe Goo. It also can be used to repair dive gear, automotive weatherstripping, any number of things.  The real question is where did you get the new shoes?  A garage sale, I hope.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A couple of us are doing a half Feman in Dec – we’ve decided to go with aerobar mounted drinking systems and would appreciate advice on which brand/model works best for the race.  I’m planning on using a Camelbak Razor for training rides, the aerobar systems are for our race. I’ve identified Profile (the latest squashed-bottle model), the Hed and Jetstream Rx but haven’t seen pictures or actual products of the last two. Just one trigeek’s opinion of JetStream:  The Rx is the older model, and is GREAT.  Their current model is the "neXt" and it SUCKS.  They tried to make the bottle more "aerodynamic", and in my opinion all they succeeded in doing was making it more difficult to strap it securely in place on your bars.  

I think it’s a matter of which aerobars one uses. I have a Nxt lodged between my Syntace C2s, and it works great. True, it did rattle a bit initially, so I just slipped some rubber tubing over the wire hanger. I would say, however, that it’s not really easy to mount and dismount. For that reason, I use the Nxt for water only; sport drinks go in a downtube bottle that’s easier to cart to the dishwasher. To completely drain the Nxt at ride’s end, I just tip my bike upside down. Incidentally, I, too, use a Camelback for training, and I also avoid putting the sugary stuff in that difficult-to-clean contraption. David (one thirsty guy)

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My favorite is also the simplest: a bar-mounted cage, and a regular water bottle.  No refilling on the fly — just replace it, either with one of  your own from another cage, or with whatever they’re handing out at aid stations in the longer races.  I’ve tried a couple drinking-straw systems such as Jetstream and Profile, and find that any nanosecond saved in aerodynamics by not having to barely lift one arm to drink doesn’t make up for the spike in heart rate when you have to suck liquid rather than breathe air. Last check, Blackburn still makes bar-mounted cages. David  GFT ‘96  12:30 "I dreamed music…"  Blade Runner http://www.geocities.com/soho/gallery/8374

Response:

A couple of us are doing a half Feman in Dec – we’ve decided to go with aerobar mounted drinking systems and would appreciate advice on which brand/model works best for the race.  I’m planning on using a Camelbak Razor for training rides, the aerobar systems are for our race.

OK, you already have your problem answered or nearly so.   USE the Camelbak RAZOR.   It will hold 72 oz of your favorite properly mixed drink and get you through any race up to and including a Half IM distance.   It is more aerodynamic and caused no added windage or weight on the front end of your bike.   You will have better handling, you can pass through all but a couple aid stations avoiding the congestion and danger.   I find mine very comfortable and fast to put on.   I don’t even know it is there and don’t need to worry about refilling.   I do in very hot races (Kona, Panama City, etc.) need to take two water bottles from the race aid stations.   I just consume them and chuck the bottle.  I do that at the last couple aid stations just prior to the run but usually do have a little left in the Camelbak. I will never go back to a handlebar system in any race half IM or shorter.   I used to use the Jet Stream and found it satisfactory but heavy in all the wrong places.  They add a lot of frontal area to the bike.    For IM distance, I will continue to use it until I come up with something better. Now, Camelbak, listen up!  Make a smaller bladder  that will go inside with the 72 oz bladder.  make it so it will hold about 20 oz of diluted GU that I can suck from a second tube. That said, Camelbak people, please send me a new RAZOR to use at Xterra Maui in October.   IMH 94(2nd in ag.)  IMH 95 (2nd in ag)  IMH 97 (1st in ag) IMH 98 (3rd ag)  IMNZ 97 (1st in ag) Hawaii Powerman98 (1st in ag) Kauai Powerman93 (1st in ag)  plus 72 other triathlons and things. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I’ve tried a couple drinking-straw systems such as Jetstream and Profile, and find that any nanosecond saved in aerodynamics by not having to barely lift one arm to drink doesn’t make up for the spike in heart rate when you have to suck liquid rather than breathe air.

Well, I’d like to know how you breathe while drinking from a conventional bottle. Not all of us are professional ventriloquists. Personally, I like the Profile bottle, and not for any aerodynamic benefits, but because I can drink anytime without worrying about fussing around with a bottle and getting it back in a cage or taking my hands off the bars.  Messing with a hand held bottle would spike my heart rate because of the prospect of spotting an obstacle when one hand is busy doing a 12 oz. curl.  As far as which system to use, the taller and narrower the bottle, the deeper the water will be when it approaches empty, and that means you can get that last bit without slurping, which is SOOOO impolite.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve tried a couple drinking-straw systems such as Jetstream and Profile, and find that any nanosecond saved in aerodynamics by not having to barely lift one arm to drink doesn’t make up for the spike in heart rate when you have to suck liquid rather than breathe air. Well, I’d like to know how you breathe while drinking from a conventional bottle. Not all of us are professional ventriloquists. Personally, I like the Profile bottle, and not for any aerodynamic benefits, but because I can drink anytime without worrying about fussing around with a bottle and getting it back in a cage or taking my hands off the bars.  Messing with a hand held bottle would spike my heart rate because of the prospect of spotting an obstacle when one hand is busy doing a 12 oz. curl.  As far as which system to use, the taller and narrower the bottle, the deeper the water will be when it approaches empty, and that means you can get that last bit without slurping, which is SOOOO impolite.

Throwing your voice, like throwing water bottles, is a valuable skill for cyclists.   For instance, when some zipper-head chucking a six-pack pulls up behind you on a country road shouting "Hey, cutie, bet ya gotta use paint thinner to get outta those pants," you just mimic the squawl of a blue tick hound from the bed of his truck, and Bubba will flash back to a youthful emotional involvement, and slam on the brakes to look around and figure out what’s going on, leaving you time to get the flare gun out of your seat bag. As for water bottles, I’ve got some that weigh about five pounds since I filled them with concrete when the Teamsters were re-doing the sidewalks near the house (I told them my hamster was a dirty strike-breaking scab, so they were happy to contribute to what they though was its entombment).  I keep one in a frame cage, and have learned with practice to lob it right through an open window when the dog voice doesn’t work or I’m out of breath from sucking on a Jetstream, aiming for the gas pedal, which at least sends Bubba careening on down the road with better things to do than strain his second grade vocabulary, and at best points him at a tree and some redneck afterlife where everybody squeals like a pig and has a really pretty mouth. But the BEST thing about water bottles vs. drinking systems is that you don’t have suck, you just have to squeeze. David "I dreamed music…"  Blade Runner http://www.geocities.com/soho/gallery/8374

Response:

A couple of us are doing a half Feman in Dec – we’ve decided to go with aerobar mounted drinking systems and would appreciate advice on which brand/model works best for the race.  I’m planning on using a Camelbak Razor for training rides, the aerobar systems are for our race. I’ve identified Profile (the latest squashed-bottle model), the Hed and Jetstream Rx but haven’t seen pictures or actual products of the last two. Any comments welcomed. thanks in advance Ian

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I’ve used a Pedal Power one for about three years, and it’s been fine, never fallen off, hose in the right place,
not too difficult to clean, simple attachment, doesn’t splash, easy to fill on the go.
Cheers
Barry    -**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****-  Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser – FREE –

Response:

A couple of us are doing a half Feman in Dec – we’ve decided to go with aerobar mounted drinking systems and would appreciate advice on which brand/model works best for the race.  I’m planning on using a Camelbak Razor for training rides, the aerobar systems are for our race. I’ve identified Profile (the latest squashed-bottle model), the Hed and Jetstream Rx but haven’t seen pictures or actual products of the last two.

Just one trigeek’s opinion of JetStream:  The Rx is the older model, and is GREAT.  Their current model is the "neXt" and it SUCKS.  They tried to make the bottle more "aerodynamic", and in my opinion all they succeeded in doing was making it more difficult to strap it securely in place on your bars.   I bought a "NeXt" one and after just one ride ripped it off my bike and stuck my beat-up old Rx back on there.  Eventually I got lucky and a friend found a new-in-the-box-from-old-stock Rx that he picked up for me. When this one wears out, I guess I’ll just be outta luck.  But since the old Rx lasted 4 years, I don’t think I’ll worry too much about that for now. So, having said all that:  If I didn’t have this Rx, I’d try the Pedal Power bottle, since it appears to be a reasonable shape and size. Good luck! — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "Real triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie *New to triathlon?  Check out Hulaman’s Simple TriTips:  http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/tritips.html    

Response:

Hi Ian, Syntace USA is the North American distributor for Jetstream bottles, so my comments come from this perspective. The current Jetstream model, the Nxt, is designed to be a more aerodynamic bottle than the old Rx.  And, the Nxt has been pretty popular over the last couple of years.  Lately, there has been considerable renewed demand for the Rx, primarily because of its wider range of fit options with the ever-increasing number of aerobar-mounted accessories that have become available. Syntace USA is currently planning to re-introduce the Rx model sometime in early 2000.  We’ll then be able to offer aerobar-mounted drinking systems for virtually any aero system. I hope this information is helpful.  Please feel free to contact me at Best Regards, Sham (a.k.a. "Syntace1")

Response:

Hi Ian, Syntace USA is the North American distributor for Jetstream bottles, so my comments come from this perspective. The current Jetstream model, the Nxt, is designed to be a more aerodynamic bottle than the old Rx.  And, the Nxt has been pretty popular over the last couple of years.  Lately, there has been considerable renewed demand for the Rx, primarily because of its wider range of fit options with the ever-increasing number of aerobar-mounted accessories that have become available. Syntace USA is currently planning to re-introduce the Rx model sometime in early 2000.  

Yay!  Glad to hear it, Sham.  :) — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "Real triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie *New to triathlon?  Check out Hulaman’s Simple TriTips:  http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/tritips.html    

Response:

A couple of us are doing a half Feman in Dec – we’ve decided to go with aerobar mounted drinking systems and would appreciate advice on which brand/model works best for the race.  

Just one trigeek’s opinion of JetStream:  The Rx is the older model, and is GREAT.  Their current model is the "neXt" and it SUCKS.  They tried to make the bottle more "aerodynamic", and in my opinion all they succeeded in doing was making it more difficult to strap it securely in place on your bars. So, having said all that:  If I didn’t have this Rx, I’d try the Pedal Power bottle, since it appears to be a reasonable shape and size.

And then there is my solution….  When Jetstreams first came out, I had already been using a handlebar mounted water bottle with a straw but had not figured out how to refill on the fly while keeping splashing to a minimum.  I overheard someone say that it looked almost like a modified Cannondale water bottle. Lo and behold, a Cannondale water bottle works very nicely with a piece of foam (which I ordered from Jetstream) and a piece of flexible tubing ($0.20 at the hardware store) put into it.  It is wide enough that my aerobars generally support it, but I tie it in place with an old shoelace and a lace lock to make sure it doesn’t escape.  Before I had narrow aerobars, I bent a piece of metal to wrap around the stem and over the handlebar to support the bottle (similar to the piece used to hold Jetstreams on such handlebars).  When my foam finally disintegrates, I will probably check out using those plastic kitchen "scrubbies" that I’ve seen in some aerobar mounted water bottles.  If that doesn’t work, I guess I’ll order another replacement piece of foam from Jetstream.  Brian Wagner is my   hero :-}                                 — John PS – Brian, I finally broke down, bought a new pair of running shoes and retired my 5-year old pair.  The midsoles were disintegrating and the outer soles were coming off and flopping around when I ran.  Do you think I got enough wear out of them? John Walker           Lucent Technologies, Landover, Maryland, USA

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