Learn to use the seat-tube bottle cage

Since day one on the bike, most of us have carried our bottle in the down-tube cage. And we always drink from that bottle when carrying two, relegating the seat-tube cage to storage.

Try reversing this custom and using your seat-tube bottle for drinking.

Here's the technique:

Reach for the bottle with your palm facing the rear wheel. Grasp the bottle, bring up, then roll your wrist so your palm is up. Bingo! The bottle is ready to put to the corner of your mouth with a slight downward tilt.

Re-inserting the bottle is simple, too. Simply reverse the motion. Because the seat-tube cage is a bit closer on most bikes and vertical, not angled, finding the opening is easy without looking down.

It may take several rides for using the seat-tube cage to feel natural. You need to angle your knee outward slightly for one stroke to reach between it and the frame. But the movement will soon feel fluid and natural.

Tip! When you carry a bottle of water and a bottle of sports drink, put the latter in the seat tube cage. The upright position helps keep sticky stuff from dripping out. When you're proficient at using the seat-tube cage, you can easily alternate sips between bottles.

Source: RBR