View Poll Results: What do you match your water bottles to?
Match to the bike
33
33.67%
Match to the kit
6
6.12%
Nope!
42
42.86%
All the cool kids have Camelbaks
17
17.35%
Voters: 98. You may not vote on this poll
Water Bottles...What To Match?
04-20-17, 04:27 AM
#26
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For what it's worth, never scientifically tested 😉, I was advised to use white or translucent water bottles to help keep the water a little cooler in summer. Dark colors absorb sunlight and transforms it to heat. I recalled that from physics class, so seems reasonable.
04-20-17, 04:28 AM
#27
Senior Member
Correct cage/beverage coloration with transparent bottle:
I guess I can see the logic in using a different appearance for the lead-filled bottle taken on at the top of a descent.
The bottles aren't a part of your kit any more than they are (or aren't) a part of your bike. And why can't they be treated as part of a bike?
That said, if one MUST match something, the bottles should match ones kit before they match the bike. The bottles are carried by the bike and, like the rider, they do not stay on the bike when it is not in use; they are not part of it.
04-20-17, 05:00 AM
#28
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And yes, they may be thought of as part if the bike in the same metaphorical way as we sometimes say the rider and the bike are one, but a) the bike is complete without bottles, and b) even if we often think of them as necessary for a ride, we don't bring water or whatever to the bike to fill them, and we don't leave them on the bike. In fact, they are useless as long as they are on the bike.
04-20-17, 05:44 AM
#29
Chases Dogs for Sport
I can't believe this discussion is even happening. I hope my wife doesn't see it.
No, cyclists aren't geeks. Honest.
No, cyclists aren't geeks. Honest.
04-20-17, 06:40 AM
#30
Erik the Inveigler
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OK, OK, sure, if someone wants to give you bottles that match your kit, or your bike, go ahead. However, it is my contention that bottles are the one accessory that should NOT match anything, and it is quite proper that they not match each other, especially if one contains plain water and the other contains something else. They should be the exception that proves the rule, an indication that it is not irrational.
That said, if one MUST match something, the bottles should match ones kit before they match the bike. The bottles are carried by the bike and, like the rider, they do not stay on the bike when it is not in use; they are not part of it.
That said, if one MUST match something, the bottles should match ones kit before they match the bike. The bottles are carried by the bike and, like the rider, they do not stay on the bike when it is not in use; they are not part of it.
You REALLY don't have a funny bone in your body, do you?
04-20-17, 06:59 AM
#31
~>~
I still use the color coding for bottles that my cycling club standardized many years ago:
White or Clear = H2O
Red = Caffeinated
Yellow/Green/Other = Sports Potion
When getting a bottle hand-up or musette in a feed zone no question what's being received.
Never dump any colored bottle over your head to cool-off.
-Bandera
White or Clear = H2O
Red = Caffeinated
Yellow/Green/Other = Sports Potion
When getting a bottle hand-up or musette in a feed zone no question what's being received.
Never dump any colored bottle over your head to cool-off.
-Bandera
04-20-17, 07:03 AM
#32
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I think the only important aspect with bottles it that they need to have a quick connect elastic/rubber leash between the bottle and your hand. When you want to take a drink, you quickly attach. That way............................if you try the bidon flip the bottle will spring back up into your hand when you drop it.(like a YoYo) Maybe you could "Walk the Dog" then suck it back up into your hand to impress your riding posse! 
In all seriousness, I think it should be clear bottles and the liquid color is whatever is in there at the time. I prefer Melon Powerade or Peach Mello Yello from one of those mixing machines. On longer rides, it is whatever you can get. I've been on organized rides where the color/flavor of the sports drink provided changed at every fill station. I guess a rider could carry a food coloring kit to change the color of their liquid. That would take their dork status to an all time high.
In all seriousness, I think it should be clear bottles and the liquid color is whatever is in there at the time. I prefer Melon Powerade or Peach Mello Yello from one of those mixing machines. On longer rides, it is whatever you can get. I've been on organized rides where the color/flavor of the sports drink provided changed at every fill station. I guess a rider could carry a food coloring kit to change the color of their liquid. That would take their dork status to an all time high.
Last edited by seypat; 04-20-17 at 07:08 AM.
04-20-17, 07:07 AM
#33
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I matched my cages to the frame color (white) and got a matching set of semitransparent bottles from the LBS. I will use one white bottle and my one Camelback insulated bottle on occasion, even though they do not match.
04-20-17, 07:40 AM
#34
Erik the Inveigler
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On my old-school steel bike I use those stainless Kleen Kanteen bottles since weight is not an issue. The water tastes a whole lot better in one of those things than it does coming out of plastic, too.
04-20-17, 07:53 AM
#35
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Black bike with white graphics, white Camelbaks with black graphics.
Go freddly or go home.
Go freddly or go home.
04-20-17, 08:10 AM
#36
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I won't do road rides with people who have mismatched bottles.
04-20-17, 08:21 AM
#38
meh
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Four water bottles, three colors (they all have the same LBS logo):
IMG_20160611_055959309_HDR.jpg
I am color-conscious enough to match the two fork bottle racks in black and the two frame racks in yellow....
Last edited by Hypno Toad; 04-20-17 at 08:24 AM.
04-20-17, 11:12 AM
#39
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I think the only important aspect with bottles it that they need to have a quick connect elastic/rubber leash between the bottle and your hand. When you want to take a drink, you quickly attach. That way............................if you try the bidon flip the bottle will spring back up into your hand when you drop it.(like a YoYo) Maybe you could "Walk the Dog" then suck it back up into your hand to impress your riding posse!
In all seriousness, I think it should be clear bottles and the liquid color is whatever is in there at the time. I prefer Melon Powerade or Peach Mello Yello from one of those mixing machines. On longer rides, it is whatever you can get. I've been on organized rides where the color/flavor of the sports drink provided changed at every fill station. I guess a rider could carry a food coloring kit to change the color of their liquid. That would take their dork status to an all time high.
In all seriousness, I think it should be clear bottles and the liquid color is whatever is in there at the time. I prefer Melon Powerade or Peach Mello Yello from one of those mixing machines. On longer rides, it is whatever you can get. I've been on organized rides where the color/flavor of the sports drink provided changed at every fill station. I guess a rider could carry a food coloring kit to change the color of their liquid. That would take their dork status to an all time high.
04-20-17, 12:19 PM
#41
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I've decided to only buy white water bottles from now on. First, it means they'll always match any of my bikes; second, it's easier to clean them.
A big plus: decathlon had white ones for €1.79 . I don't understand paying huge money for plastic water bottles. If you don't like the taste, add a little lemon, orange or fruit juice to your tap water; and insulated water bottles? Talk about a solution to a problem that doesn't exist...
A big plus: decathlon had white ones for €1.79 . I don't understand paying huge money for plastic water bottles. If you don't like the taste, add a little lemon, orange or fruit juice to your tap water; and insulated water bottles? Talk about a solution to a problem that doesn't exist...
04-20-17, 12:36 PM
#42
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I've decided to only buy white water bottles from now on. First, it means they'll always match any of my bikes; second, it's easier to clean them.
A big plus: decathlon had white ones for €1.79 . I don't understand paying huge money for plastic water bottles. If you don't like the taste, add a little lemon, orange or fruit juice to your tap water; and insulated water bottles? Talk about a solution to a problem that doesn't exist...
A big plus: decathlon had white ones for €1.79 . I don't understand paying huge money for plastic water bottles. If you don't like the taste, add a little lemon, orange or fruit juice to your tap water; and insulated water bottles? Talk about a solution to a problem that doesn't exist...
Similar to much of the rest of northwestern Europe, Dublin experiences a maritime climate (Cfb) with cool summers, mild winters, and a lack of temperature extremes. The average maximum January temperature is 8.8 °C (48 °F), while the average maximum July temperature is 20.2 °C (68 °F). On average, the sunniest months are May and June, while the wettest month is October with 76 mm (3 in) of rain, and the driest month is February with 46 mm (2 in). Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.
04-20-17, 12:58 PM
#43
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I suppose an OCD rider would match the bottles to the whole kit and kaboodle as well.
According to Wikipedia "caboodle" means Kaboodle is a spelling derivation of the English word "caboodle", meaning a group, bunch, lot, pack, or collection of things or people. So basicly a team and possibly a peloton.
According to Wikipedia "caboodle" means Kaboodle is a spelling derivation of the English word "caboodle", meaning a group, bunch, lot, pack, or collection of things or people. So basicly a team and possibly a peloton.
Last edited by BobbyG; 04-20-17 at 01:02 PM.
04-20-17, 12:58 PM
#44
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04-20-17, 03:20 PM
#45
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What's worse at a group ride, mismatched bottles or just one?
This ^^^
Four water bottles, three colors (they all have the same LBS logo):
Attachment 560108
I am color-conscious enough to match the two fork bottle racks in black and the two frame racks in yellow....
Four water bottles, three colors (they all have the same LBS logo):
Attachment 560108
I am color-conscious enough to match the two fork bottle racks in black and the two frame racks in yellow....
04-20-17, 04:08 PM
#46
meh
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LOL and thanks!
A little off topic
... this pic was the start of one of my most challenging days on a bike. I got this pic about a mile from my house, a house I didn't see again until I was done with 140 hot-and-steamy miles. I rode out of my house to the start of the Westside Dirty Benjamin (gravel century). It was damned hard to find enough water on route, those four bottles were filled 3 times each, and I wish I had more.
At the finish line (on the banks of the Minnesota River), there was a less wonderful pic:
14088569_10154368773516878_9198440549620976549_n.jpg
I'm the pasty guy standing in the water.
A little off topic
... this pic was the start of one of my most challenging days on a bike. I got this pic about a mile from my house, a house I didn't see again until I was done with 140 hot-and-steamy miles. I rode out of my house to the start of the Westside Dirty Benjamin (gravel century). It was damned hard to find enough water on route, those four bottles were filled 3 times each, and I wish I had more. At the finish line (on the banks of the Minnesota River), there was a less wonderful pic:
14088569_10154368773516878_9198440549620976549_n.jpg
I'm the pasty guy standing in the water.
04-20-17, 04:14 PM
#47
Some Guy on the Road
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LOL and thanks!
A little off topic ... this pic was the start of one of my most challenging days on a bike. I got this pic about a mile from my house, a house I didn't see again until I was done with 140 hot-and-steamy miles. I rode out of my house to the start of the Westside Dirty Benjamin (gravel century). It was damned hard to find enough water on route, those four bottles were filled 3 times each, and I wish I had more.
At the finish line (on the banks of the Minnesota River), there was a less wonderful pic:
Attachment 560169
I'm the pasty guy standing in the water.
A little off topic
... this pic was the start of one of my most challenging days on a bike. I got this pic about a mile from my house, a house I didn't see again until I was done with 140 hot-and-steamy miles. I rode out of my house to the start of the Westside Dirty Benjamin (gravel century). It was damned hard to find enough water on route, those four bottles were filled 3 times each, and I wish I had more. At the finish line (on the banks of the Minnesota River), there was a less wonderful pic:
Attachment 560169
I'm the pasty guy standing in the water.
But I think the important detail is that you tried to match the bottles to the bike, and not your kit (presuming that your jersey matched your bibs)
04-20-17, 04:16 PM
#48
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LBS bottles only for me. Represent.
04-20-17, 04:17 PM
#49
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04-20-17, 04:18 PM
#50
meh
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13419148_10153640684736444_975876020903503743_n.jpg
(the after pic)
Edit - I guess the pasty chest match the sun-sleeves.