Your body is in constant motion when you are out on the trails or streets cycling. That means you are always sweating, and that leads to a larger need for hydration. This is why extra water is so important when you are out cycling.
When asked, most experts will say that you should at least have 32 ounces available for every hour you decide to be out enjoying the ride. So how do you carry that much water? There are plenty of ways, from bottles to hydration bladders.
So if you are a cycling enthusiast and you are looking for a good way to carry extra water on your bike, then this article is for you. We are going to go over a few of the best options and hope that it helps you figure out which one is right for you.
Can You Put a Water Bottle Holder On a Bike?
You can’t hold a water bottle in your hand and ride a bike too for very long. This is especially true for those cyclists hitting the paths for extended times. When this is the case, it’s best to find a way to carry enough water but be comfortable so you can enjoy the ride.
This is where being able to install a water bottle holder comes in. There are some great water bottle holders/cages that you can find to add to your bike. You will need a few tools, some time, and a little patience.
Though every holder may have a few different steps, there is a standard couple. Here is a quick look at the basics of installing a water bottle holder:
- Decide where you want to mount the bottle, and then remove the bolts on the tube of your bike frame.
- Then place the cage with the holes in alignment with the empty bolt holes.
- Tighten the bolts back into place and check to ensure it is secure. You are done!
How Much Water Should You Carry On a Bike?
How much water you should carry on your bike ride depends on a few things. Not only your body and the way it processes activity but the amount of physical activity you intend to participate in.
Most experts say that you should ensure that you have at least 1/4 of a gallon of water for every hour you intend to go out biking.
Of course, this also depends on the temperature you are biking in. You might be able to get away with less for cooler climates, but if you’re biking in the heat of the summer in a hot climate, you may need more. That is why having extra water available to you is so important.
How Does a Bottle Cage Work?
A water bottle cage is an accessory that is bolted to your bike’s frame, leaving you free to navigate the vehicle. That being said, not all bottle cages fit all bottle sizes, and you may want to look for the right bottle cage that works with your bike’s frame.
The best way to understand how a bottle cage works is to understand the features of the bottle cage itself.
Model cages come in many different materials, from stainless alloys to plastic. To ensure it works with your bike’s frame, you need to make sure it won’t add too much bulk to your bike.
The most important thing to understand when it comes to how a cage works and the fact that it uses tension to hold the bottle in place even when the bike is going over rough terrain. The exterior cup is fitted so that it will hold onto the bottle, not letting it move around.
Along with this, it is always important to think about the placement, and the placement is key because it allows free movement of the legs even though the bottle cage is typically mounted on the braces of the bike frame that sat between your legs previously.
What is a Fabric Cageless Bottle?
A fabric cageless bottle is a bottle that utilizes no cage. Instead, the bottle slips down over a couple of studs. It allows for less weight added to your bike and no additional aesthetic deterioration from the version of said cage.
That being said, the fabric cageless bottle does take a little time to get used to replacing the bottle while biking.
That is because instead of having a wide cage where you set the bottle, you have to find the studs to slip the bottle onto once you have that down, though it is a great idea for those looking for a lighter-weight frame.
Can You Use a Hip Flask?
The choice of how you carry your extra water to ensure you stay hydrated on your bike ride is really up to you. There are multiple different methods, and most people tend to go with the cage or some sort of mounted option.
But for those who don’t want to add any weight to their bike or damage it in any way, a hip flask is a viable option.
However, it is going to make your movement a little less flexible as it is attached to your body and will hinder some range of motion. But it can typically handle more than one bottle, which could be a great addition to your cycling gear.
Final Thoughts on How to Carry Extra Water On a Bike
Staying hydrated is important during any type of exercise. But with cycling, you will be consistently in motion, which means you need to maintain a certain level of water available to you.
To do that, you have to understand and carry that extra water without burdening yourself and ruining your mobility. So we’ve given you a couple of options, and we certainly hope they have helped you figure out what the answer to your particular hydration needs is.