Triathlon, first of all, is not a piece of cake for everyone. It’s a do-or-die competition that challenges the athletes’ stamina, agility, and hydration.
Talking of hydration, it’s a must for triathletes to take care of water needs while they are cycling. That said, you must lookout for the best triathlon hydration system if you want to maintain the water level in your body at all costs.
A hydration system, in short, makes it easier to store the water bottle. Moreover, the latest models offer ease of drinking water as they’ve got feeder tubes with a proper pressure system.
But, when it comes to choosing a perfect triathlon water system, the decision isn’t an easier one to make. This is where we’d come to your rescue with a compiled list of some of the top-rated hydration systems for triathlon in 2021.
We’ve chosen only those models with an easy mounting interface, durable and rugged design, and an affordable budget. Thus, you’d be able to make your decision with more comfort and ease.
Take a look, without any further ado:
Best Hydration Systems for Triathlon Bikes
Image | Product | Price |
---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL
|
|
CHECK BEST PRICE |
ADVANCE SYSTEM
|
|
CHECK BEST PRICE |
BEST FOR MONEY
|
|
CHECK BEST PRICE |
BIKE MOUNTED
|
|
CHECK BEST PRICE |
HANDS-FREE
|
|
CHECK BEST PRICE |
1. Wiel Water Bottle Holder – Best Triathlon Water System
Wiel, one of the most popular manufacturers out there, has offered a solution to keep water bottles safe and secure during a triathlon. Its Water Bottle Holder has got our attention since it comes with some exceptional features. For instance, its rugged carbon fiber construction, easy mounting interface, and lightweight design make it one of the standouts among other hydration systems. That’s one of the reasons it’s on top of our list for 2021.
For starters,
Wiel Cage Bottle Holder comes with a complete carbon fiber construction. Its durability means no bounds as once purchased, you can keep on using it for many years to come while preparing for your next triathlon.
Other than that, the use of lightweight materials makes this hydration system a perfect choice for triathletes. Even if you mount it on the bike, it will cause no overburdening issues keeping you on track for a long time.
As far as the mounting is concerned, it takes no more than 5 minutes. Good thing is that Wiel already offers 2 mounting bolts that you could use to assemble the holder on the frame of your bike. Make sure that you use the appropriate mounting accessories for tightening the bolts.
All in all, the hydration system does offer quick access to the water bottle. Cherry on top is that water remains safe and secure no matter what kind of circumstances you face.
Jackson, one of the professional triathletes we know, has got some views about this bottle holder. According to him, “Wiel has done a splendid job making sure that the holder keeps the water bottle protective enough. I can access the bottle anytime I want and it took me about 3 minutes to mount it on my bike without any hurdle. Would definitely recommend it to my fellow triathletes.”
PROS
CONS
Wiel Bottle Holder is one of the hydration systems that you must look out for if you need sturdiness, ease of use, and an easy installing interface at an affordable rate.
2. Profile Designs FC35 – Aerobar Hydration System
Not so fond of using the cage water bottle holder we mentioned above? Don’t worry! Profile Designs with its FC35 hydration system has got your back. It directly fits between the aero bars and helps you drink water with the least effort. Yeah, you heard that right. It features a spacious design, which means you’ll have more storage for water. Although we do agree it’s a bit difficult to install, once you figure it out, you’ll absolutely love the FC35.
Cutting right to the chase,
The triathlon water system comes with a 35 oz. capacity, first of all. It can store around 1 liter of water without any hurdle. It’s simply more than enough to help you move ahead during a long triathlon.
Furthermore, for those of you who are worried about toxic chemicals, the brand has got you covered. It features a BPA-Free bottle, which keeps the water protected from toxins. The bottle also passes HDPE tests, which makes it a safer choice for drinking water.
Featuring a long bite valve, you could use it to drink water directly, without messing with the hydration system. Some of you might feel like it ain’t working, but the thing is that you have to pull it a little bit so that it gets out of a safety cap.
FC35 is mountable on narrow space aero bars. To put that into perspective, it’s a perfect system for triathlon bikes that don’t have enough space on their handles. The mounting time, however, is somewhere around 15 to 20 minutes.
In the end, one of our dear colleagues, who is into triathlon, has recently installed this FC35 system on his bike. As per Jared Frank, “It took me a while to figure out where to install the system as I own a bike with cables. As soon as I got sufficient space, it took me no more than 10 minutes to mount it. The bite valve is magnetic and easy to handle. Simply an outstanding job from Profile Designs in an affordable budget.”
PROS
CONS
Ease of use and compactness along with a rugged body is what makes FC35 a standout among other models. Better get it before it’s too late.
3. XLAB Torpedo Versa 200 – Best Triathlon Water Bottle System
Torpedo Versa 200 from XLAB is what we call “Innovation combined with the Aesthetics.” The triathlon water bottle system features a unique design, which gives a vibrant look when you fit it on your triathlon cycle. More than that, it comes with an advanced system that allows athletes to drink water with ease and convenience. All this at an extremely affordable rate is what impelled us to include Versa 200 on our list.
Stating some of its features,
The hydration system for triathletes features a special Computer Tilt design. That said, it gets adjusted with a computer controlled tilt mechanism and allows you to have easy access to the water.
Furthermore, we literally loved the no-leak bottle design of Torpedo Versa 200. It comes with a completely sealed design that ensures no leakage even if you use this system roughly.
Talking of the water capacity, it’s more than enough. It actually comes with two refilling compartments, i.e. the regular lid and quick refill lid. You can fill both of them with water to enjoy an endless cycling experience to prepare for your next triathlon.
XLAB makes sure that athletes do not face any problems while drinking the water. The bite valve is thus designed to reach the cyclists’ mouth easily. Apart from that, the straw is long enough. You could even cut it if it’s messing around with you.
No matter how complicated things look like with Versa 200, it’s simply a “Thousand Problems, One Solution” system for athletes. Install it between the aero bars and forget about water drinking issues once and for all.
Melissa J. Caron, a professional triathlete relies on Torpedo Versa 200 too much. According to her, “The system is aerodynamic, which makes it quite stable. Plus, the straw is soft enough and keeps the mouth away from getting hurt. I liked how XLAB has made this system compatible with another water bottle as well. Worth every penny I’ve spent on it up till now.”
PROS
CONS
This best triathlon hydration system is simply the Jack of All Trades. Get it and you’ll surely enjoy practicing for upcoming competitions while staying hydrated enough.
4. XLAB Gorilla XT – Bike Mounted Hydration System
Another Cage Holder, this time from XLAB, is running riots among the triathlon athletes community in 2021. The Gorilla XT features a minimalistic and durable design. Plus, it’s available at a reasonable rate and could keep the water bottle away from getting damaged. That’s one of the reasons it has got the name, “Gorilla XT” as it won’t disappoint you anytime soon.
Starting with some basics,
The bike mounted hydration system does feature a durable 3X cage made up of 100% carbon fiber. It’s extremely rugged and won’t get damaged even if you fall from the bike.
Adding to that, the brand does suggest that this cage holder meets the demands of mountain bikes quite well. Plus, it also acts perfectly as a rear hydration system to keep the athletes hydrated for a long time.
Based on advanced mechanics, the cage holder is designed in a way that it resists the water bottle to slip at any cost. No matter how bumpy the road gets, once you adjust your bottle there, only you can take it out to drink water.
We specifically loved the thick bottom shelf of this cage holder as well. It makes enough space to fit large water bottles, thus ensuring a properly hydrated biking journey.
While keeping the bottle tight, it’s easy to eject it with bare hands. Just hold the bottle from its lid and take it out smoothly while you are biking and enjoy drinking fresh water from it accordingly.
Lastly, the mounting interface is extremely easy. Same as the WIEL bottle holder, the Gorilla XT gets mounted on the frame via two bolts. Tighten them with suitable accessories and keep your bottle away from getting any damage for many years to come.
Alan, who’s a beginner working out for his next triathlon competition has had some views about Gorilla XT. As per his views, “I usually love biking on bumpy roads to improve my stamina. However, I’m often worried about the protection of my water bottle. I’ve recently invested in XLAB Gorilla XT and so far it’s proved to be a blessing in disguise for me. Simple yet unique and quite durable at the same time!”
PROS
CONS
The answer’s simple, “To enjoy biking on bumpy and mountainous roads without getting worried about your hydration peripherals.” Get it as the cage holder is available on a reasonable budget.
5. Speedfil A2/Z4+ – Hands Free Triathlon Hydration System
A complete Aerobundle, indeed! Speedfil remains true to its name as it provides triathletes a solution to their water drinking problems. Featuring an eco-friendly water bottle along with a hydration system, this bundle gets directly attached between the aero bars. On top of that, it comes with an easy-to-use bite valve that prevents splashing and helps to drink the water without making any mess.
First off,
The best aero bar hydration system comes with an aerodynamic and a low-profile design. Not only does it maintain stability, it also improves the drinking interface.
Zerosplash technology, on the other hand, is something we adored a lot about this hydration bundle. It keeps the handlebars away from water and splashes, thus allowing you to enjoy a perfect biking experience.
The manufacturer does offer universal compatibility. That is, this aero hydration system offers compatibility with thread bottles, meaning you could adjust them on the system without any hurdle.
Speedfil also comes with Garmin integration. In simple words, you can integrate the computer and get easy access to all the data regarding your distance and other metrics with proper tilting options.
Finally, the hydration system for triathlon is versatile enough. It offers a hand-free drinking interface and keeps the athletes stay fresh enough during a long biking workout.
Jason, who loves long biking sessions, has got his two cents about this hydration system. “It took me no more than 5 minutes to mount this Aerobundle on my bike. Quite frankly, it comes with a spacious water bottle and keeps me fresh and agile during exhaustive workout sessions.”
PROS
CONS
The bundle includes a durable and BPA-free water bottle combined with a special hydration system. Plus, the price is way too low. Simply pick it and you’ll never have to worry about drinking or splashing issues during the exercise.
6. Speedfill A2 – Triathlon Water Bottle with Straw
In case you want an aerodynamic water bottle with a long straw only, then look no further. Speedfill A2 offers just that at an affordable rate. The balanced water bottle comes with a spacious capacity that offers enough water to help you stay hydrated. On top of that, its straw is long and soft enough, thus ensuring a pain-free drinking interface without any hassle.
For triathletes,
The best hydration system does come with Zerosplash technology. It eliminates fluid splashing at all costs, hence, keeping the aero bars away from getting wet.
Besides, we also see the compatibility of A2 system with that of Thread water bottles. You can either adjust a 21 fl. oz. or a 24 fl. oz. water bottle on the system as per your preferences.
What we loved about the hydration system is that it gets adjusted right in the middle of the aero bars. Therefore, your arms would keep it safe from the wind making sure that it remains stable and balanced enough.
Although the triathlon water system doesn’t require any complex assembly, it would need a cage holder. Speedfill recommends mounting it on Z4+ to ensure durability, stability, and balance, at the same time.
Joseph, the triathlete who is currently preparing for his next tournament has got some views about this water bottle system. He says, “I already had a Speedfill Z4+ hydration system available so I was looking for an aerodynamic water bottle with a long straw. Luckily I found this model that works like a charm and helps me stay hydrated while I’m cycling.”
PROS
CONS
The triathlon water bottle system is easy to use, mount, and compact enough. So, you should check it out before it runs out of stock.
7. XLAB Mini Wing 105 – Rear Hydration System for Triathlon
Here comes a rear hydration system for athletes who are not fond of using such systems either on the aero bars or the frame. XLAB Mini Wing 105 offers housing for two water bottles which means you won’t run out of water anytime soon. More than that, it comes with sturdy construction and is designed quite ergonomically. That undoubtedly makes it one of the best rear triathlon hydration systems in the market.
Cutting right to the chase,
Mini Wing 105 gets directly tucked behind the saddle of your bike with an easy mounting interface. All it takes is only one screw and bolt and BINGO! You’d be able to enjoy storing your water bottles on the rear side of your bike.
On the other hand, we also praised the holding power of this cage system. It keeps the water bottles intact and makes sure that they don’t fall even if you are riding the bike on a bumpy road. The increased 60% grip force is an epitome of what we said previously.
Although the rear hydration system is not as accessible as compared to front ones, athletes could still reach it with little flexibility. Thanks to the ergonomically shaped cage holder that makes sure that you can reach the water bottles with ease.
In the end, we’d also want to praise the reasonable price tag that this system has got. It’s one of the reasons Mark (One of our colleagues) purchased it and looks pretty much satisfied as well.
“I was able to reach out the water bottle without flexing myself too much. Besides, the gripping power is way too much. It helps me maintain my focus on the road rather than on other things.” That’s how Mark appreciated the Mini Wing 105 from XLAB.
PROS
CONS
The reason that it allows you to keep two water bottles and is ergonomic would be more than enough to get this robust hydration system.
8. XLAB Aero TT – Cage + Water Bottle System for Triathletes
Another cage holder plus water bottle combo from XLAB is getting the deserved spotlight from triathletes in 2021. The Aero TT features a sublime cage holder molded with durable carbon fiber. Plus, it features a unique and beautiful water bottle with enough capacity to help you finish a race easily. The price, on the other hand, is way too affordable and that’s why we love this combo from XLAB.
Starting with some of the basics,
The best triathlon hydration system gets directly attached to the down tube of the bike without any hassle. It uses two bolts for mounting. Plus, make sure that you tighten them properly.
Moreover, the water bottle is easy to grab, thus allowing you to drink water on the go. Cherry on top is that it slides back into the cage holder real smooth and that’s something quite impressive.
It’s also a fact that Aero TT offers extreme resistance to worst-case scenarios. Be it a bumpy road, mountainous area, or rough environment, the cage holder keeps the bottle safe and protected enough at all costs.
Although you could use the Aero TT without any other system, we recommend utilizing it with an aero bar hydration system, especially when you’ve participated in a race. The use of both these systems will keep the water safe and not let it run out soon enough, thus keeping you hydrated.
Remo Armatong, a professional triathlete, reviews this hydration system as, “I was a bit reluctant to get this system at first, but boy oh boy! It has proved me wrong. The construction is rigid with awesome resistance. Plus, its ergonomic positioning helps me take the water bottle out of the cage with a blink of an eye.”
PROS
CONS
Aero TT with a sleek and slim design makes it easier to access the water bottle. The combo’s also available at a reasonable budget. So, check it out if it intrigues you.
9. XLAB Super Wing – Lightest Rear Hydration System
XLAB Super Wing is one of the lightest rear hydration systems for triathlon bikes and we are not joking around at all. It’s constructed from lightweight yet premium materials to ensure proper stability and balance. Plus, it could also resist unwanted circumstances with ease. Thus it keeps the water bottles safe and protected. Plus, you could easily reach them without any hassle.
To begin with,
Super Wing features a premium aerospace and aluminum alloy that enhances its durability and sturdiness. In this perspective, it won’t twist unlike other water bottle carriers, and keep you hydrated at the same time.
Mounting is easy. That said, the rear hydration system gets mounted right behind the seat or saddle. You can mount it as per your preferences to keep up with other opponents during a long race.
As we said above, Super Wing is one of the lightest water bottle carriers available in 2021. It barely weighs 85 grams without the water bottle. All in all, it won’t overburden your bike with extra weight.
With all the features we’ve discussed up till now, the one that stands out is the 4 bottle storage angles. Yeah, you heard that right. Super Wing bike mounted hydration system could be adjusted in 4 different angles as per your will and wish.
Paul who currently uses the XLAB Super Wing reviews it in the following words, “So far, one of the best hydration systems I’ve ever used. The angled system is quite good, plus this water bottle carrier doesn’t get any twists no matter how harsh the environment is.”
PROS
CONS
It’s lightweight, ensures 4 different cage angles, and gets mounted on 3 different rear positions. So, it’s up to you whether you want such a versatile hydration system or not.
10. XLAB Delta 430 – Offers More Storage Options
The last best triathlon hydration system on our list is Delta 430 from XLAB. This versatile rear hydration system offers a plethora of qualities and features that professional athletes would surely love. More than that, it’s extremely rugged and robust, thus ensuring proper safety and protection of the water bottles at the same time.
To start with,
Delta 430 gets easily mounted to ISM 3.0 and 3.1 saddles. On top of that, it’s mountable to triathlon and road bikes making it sure that athletes could stay hydrated for a long time.
Moreover, the combination of stainless steel frame along with a carbon fiber grip ensures superior protection and safety. The durably engineered design offers peace of mind to the bikers who want to practice for long races. Besides, the manufacturer also offers a 3-year limited warranty in case the frame doesn’t work like expected.
Just like Super Wing, the Delta 430 is compact and lightweight respectively. It weighs around 165 grams and doesn’t play any role in overburdening the bike with extra weight.
Last but not the least, the superb grip power of the rear triathlon hydration system allows it to avoid resistance, bumps, and vibrations. 10 pounds force makes sure that the bottle remains protected enough.
Charles who’s been using the Delta 430 since January 2021 seems quite content about it. According to him, “I haven’t confronted any issue with this system up till now. It holds the water bottle really well and is designed ergonomically. I don’t face any issues while pulling out the bottle from it.”
PROS
CONS
Meant for the professionals. Delta 430 will help you stay hydrated for a long time. Get it and you won’t regret this decision.
Some Last Words
Having the right triathlon system for your bike helps triathletes maintain their hydration during long races.
That’s one of the reasons you also need to get one and for that purpose, you could directly hover up and see the list we’ve made on it.
If you are still confused, then either go with the Wiel Water Bottle Holder or Profile Designs FC35 as these two systems will be more than enough for your bike.
Don’t forget to ask any queries related to the main topic and we will get back to them as soon as possible.
Free Learning Resources
Check out the following resources and start getting ready for your next triathlon with a bang:
How to Improve Stamina for Triathlon:
Triathlon Exercises from Beginner to Advanced Level:
Recent Posts:
Eric Jordan
Writer | Triathlete
A writer by passion and a triathlete coach profession. In his free time, he swims, runs, cycles, and helps newbie athletes to achieve their goals.