Product review from Transitions Magazine

Issue: December

Section: Tri toys

Page: 20

SipAway – cdisports.com

A simple product but one that brings with it a ton of benefits.

Reasonably priced at $29.95 CAN ($24.95 US) this bicycle hydration system is one of the best out there. Here are a few reasons why: it is aerodynamic, safe, hydration is made easy, it is easy to clean, and it is fairly inexpressive.

Aerodynamically, it works because the bottle is placed on the down tube or seat tube. This is an area of great turbulence and there is nothing we can do about it, so placing SipAway there is aerodynamically beneficial. That combined with the fact the drinking tube is positioned right above the areobars , means you don’t have to break your aerodynamic position.

Whatever you do, just make sure you don’t put the bottle (or any bottle for that matter) behind your seat. Testing has shown that the behind the seat  position is the worst aerodynamic position for placing your water bottles (losing as much as 1:21 over a 40 km time trial – drinking once.) SO get rid of those behind the seat systems… or maybe you should keep them – I don’t mind being spotted a 1:21 lead.

The SipAway also increases safety because your full attention is kept on the road rather than reaching for water bottles. Its easy access drinking tube makes hydration easier and you are more likely to drink more frequently since access to liquid is always right there…. You don’t have to wait for the appropriate moment.  All of this and its very easy to clean and put back on your bike. Just take the bottle out of the cage, wash it and your ready to go for next time. I suggest that you also regularly clean the drinking tube so that “gunk” doesn’t start growing in there.  A handy tube cleaning brush can be purchased to make this job a lot easier.

The bottle holds 28oz of fluid so you can definitely use it for races up to 40 km. Beyond that you will have to come up with some fancy “fill it on the fly skills.”

This is one of the best hydration systems you can put on your bike and its price makes it a real bang for your buck. For more information or to purchase visit: www.cdisports.com

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