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Sip-Stream Hydration System Product Review
Have you ever been riding down a somewhat less-than-smooth section of road, your throat is totally parched, but you can’t reach down for a drink of water without risking a big crash? If that’s ever happened, then you may want to consider checking out the Sip-Stream Hydration System, by Rider Sports Innovations. It’s an interesting new product that may change the way you think about fueling yourself during your rides.
TECH
The Sip-Stream comes with an intricate set of mounting brackets to affix the system to your bike. The bottle bracket replaces the regular downtube mounted bottle cage. Once installed, you mount one of the Sip-Stream-specific bottles into the bracket upside-down in order for gravity to assist the flow of water. A small pin in the bottom of the bracket pushes into the spring-loaded cap, allowing the water to flow through the tube that runs to the handlebar/stem mounted drink tube holder. At that point, you use the bite valve on the bracket as you would on any backpack-style hydration system.
The system comes with two large bottles for easy interchangeability. The Sip-Stream bottles have a very well designed cap. They pull open like a traditional water bottle cap, but also have a spring-loaded center that compresses when inserted into the mounting bracket. This allows the bottle to be used in the system properly, but also gives it the versatility to be used after your ride as a traditional-style water bottle.
INSTALLATION
If you’re looking for a quick and easy alternative to your conventional water bottle/cage set-up, you are not going to find it here. The Sip-Stream comes with detailed instructions, complete with multiple alternatives if the conventional set-up doesn’t work on your bike, but it seemed to add some confusion and it takes a bit of trial-and-error to figure out which configuration you should use. Total installation time on my bike was about 45 minutes.
When installing, you should position your backup bottle in a second bottle mount before installing the Sip-Stream. I made the mistake of mounting the unit without taking into account the space I would need for a second bottle. Although the SipStream had the capability to mount a little higher on the downtube, I didn't want to hassle with taking the entire system apart and moving it up after spending so much time getting it installed in the first place.
FUNCTIONALITY
For endurance road riders and triathletes, the hydration system is a great idea. It is great for those who need to hydrate while in a fixed riding position, or those who want to drink while staying as aerodynamic as possible while riding. The Sip-Stream will probably not appeal to most road riders, simply because of the bulk of the system on a plain road bike and the minimalistic mentality that most roadies have. On a road bike, you really need to be in a drop-bar position to use it, although the arms of the system are very flexible and can be pulled into an upright position with minimal effort.
Unlike other aero bar or handlebar mounted drink systems, this takes the weight of a full bottle hanging from the front end of your bike and moves it underneath the rider. Controlling the bike becomes much easier because of a concentrated center of gravity, rather than added weight that you have to fight against while steering.
If you’re using this for a race, you should definitely prime the system. If you exit your first transition area and have to suck on the drink tube for a minute or two in order to get a drink, you're in trouble. Before parking the bike in the transition area or starting your ride, have the system ready to use. You do NOT want a surprise like that. The manufacturer also claims that you can use the bottle like a regular bottle if you pull the top open. The cap's dual function worked great, but I found the plastic to be a bit hard to squeeze any water out of.
Unlike some other on-the-bike drink systems aimed at the same market, you do not have an open top to the bottle to take neutral hand-ups at triathlons. In other words, start with two full bottles and cross your fingers that it will be enough fluid for you, especially on those Olympic and Ironman distance events. If you're required to refill one of those bottles while on course, you'll definitely lose time. For the sprint triathlon crowd, who aren't as concerned with lots of fluids, this is a very viable option.
AERODYNAMICS
I was curious how the Sip-Stream compared to other drink systems, so I got the advice of an aerodynamics guru at a major bike company (which shall remain nameless). I asked his opinion on the product and he told me (without any wind tunnel testing or facts to back it up) that in comparison to other drink systems that rival the Sip-Stream, this system is probably less aerodynamic than a handlebar/aerobar mounted hydration system. He explained that the front-mounted systems have shown that they cut through the wind better and offer actual aerodynamic advantages, where the Sip-Stream would, more likely than not, create more drag on an aerodynamically built bicycle, which most serious triathletes (the target group for this product) are purchasing for their events.
THE VERDICT:
For the Sip-Stream's target market, triathletes, the system a decent alternative to the current systems on the market. It's a little tough to install, but once it's on the bike properly, it works well. Most long-distance triathletes on aero bikes will probably look elsewhere for a bit more aero advantage and a little easier refilling while on the road. It's a great product for endurance road riders and sprint triathletes. I expect to see many of these Sip-Stream systems as more folks see it at the races and word gets out.
My rating - 3 out of 5 wrenches (special logo coming soon!)
For more information on the Sip-Stream Hydration System, see http://www.sip-stream.com.
Tags: hydration, new, product, reviews, sip-stream, stuff
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Chambers on -
YIKES! My eyeball wind tunnel test says AERODYNAMIC DISASTER!!!!! And since it's the sprint triathlon crowd who a) need to go faster and b) need less on-the-road hydration, I'd advise them, especially, to steer clear. There are WAY better solutions to hydration issues than this.
There are plenty of triathletes around who'll take a gorgeous, aerodynamic masterpiece of a bike and load it up with so much crap that it might as well be a child's tricycle. They might sell a few of these to those folks.
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Permalink Reply by Casey Girard on -
Hi everybody! I’m Casey Girard, Sales Director of SipStream. We really appreciate all the interest in our innovative new product. I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify a few points. Far from being “an aerodynamic disaster,” SipStream is the only bike-mounted hydration system that adjusts to you, allowing you to keep an aerodynamic position while riding. There’s plenty of info on our website - www.sipstream.com – but suffice it to say that by far the most important factor in aerodynamics is the position of the rider.
In addition, SipStream is configurable in a number of ways, including Rear-Mount (most aero position for any water bottles) and QuickFlip (minimal hardware). And unlike aero-bar mounted products, SipStream won’t splash in your face when you go over bumps, SipStream’s drink tube can be flipped down and out of the way when not in use, and SipStream’s bottles can be swapped out on the fly.
In response to the reviewer’s good point about refilling during longer tris (70.3 & Ironman), we are coming out with a refillable bottle that will work seamlessly with the system in a few months. This will allow you to use neutral bottles at water stations (or even cups) to easily refill on the fly. We spent more than 5 years developing this product and are very excited that it is now on the market. Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions at all – casey@rider-sports.com. Happy hydration!
Bob Chambers said:YIKES! My eyeball wind tunnel test says AERODYNAMIC DISASTER!!!!! And since it's the sprint triathlon crowd who a) need to go faster and b) need less on-the-road hydration, I'd advise them, especially, to steer clear. There are WAY better solutions to hydration issues than this.
There are plenty of triathletes around who'll take a gorgeous, aerodynamic masterpiece of a bike and load it up with so much crap that it might as well be a child's tricycle. They might sell a few of these to those folks.
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Permalink Reply by VeloReviews on -
Hi Casey,
Thank you for joining VeloReviews and articulating your perspective on your own product design. Your approach to this conversation speaks volumes about your company and I want our community to be keenly aware of this point. Kudos and thank you for participating.
Casey Girard said:Hi everybody! I’m Casey Girard, Sales Director of SipStream. We really appreciate all the interest in our innovative new product. I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify a few points. Far from being “an aerodynamic disaster,” SipStream is the only bike-mounted hydration system that adjusts to you, allowing you to keep an aerodynamic position while riding. There’s plenty of info on our website - www.sipstream.com – but suffice it to say that by far the most important factor in aerodynamics is the position of the rider.
In addition, SipStream is configurable in a number of ways, including Rear-Mount (most aero position for any water bottles) and QuickFlip (minimal hardware). And unlike aero-bar mounted products, SipStream won’t splash in your face when you go over bumps, SipStream’s drink tube can be flipped down and out of the way when not in use, and SipStream’s bottles can be swapped out on the fly.
In response to the reviewer’s good point about refilling during longer tris (70.3 & Ironman), we are coming out with a refillable bottle that will work seamlessly with the system in a few months. This will allow you to use neutral bottles at water stations (or even cups) to easily refill on the fly. We spent more than 5 years developing this product and are very excited that it is now on the market. Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions at all – casey@rider-sports.com. Happy hydration!
Bob Chambers said:YIKES! My eyeball wind tunnel test says AERODYNAMIC DISASTER!!!!! And since it's the sprint triathlon crowd who a) need to go faster and b) need less on-the-road hydration, I'd advise them, especially, to steer clear. There are WAY better solutions to hydration issues than this.
There are plenty of triathletes around who'll take a gorgeous, aerodynamic masterpiece of a bike and load it up with so much crap that it might as well be a child's tricycle. They might sell a few of these to those folks.
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Permalink Reply by Josh Boggs on -
I'm echoing Jeff's sentiment... thanks for the reply, Casey!
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Permalink Reply by Casey Girard on
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Thanks guys! We're bikers just like you and we take a lot of pride in creating products that make biking more fun and enjoyable for more people. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!
Josh Boggs said:I'm echoing Jeff's sentiment... thanks for the reply, Casey!
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Permalink Reply by Ethan Seltzer on -
I think this is going to be a tough sell for the half ironman and full ironman distance participants, for the events themselves. If your going to train 6 - 12 months for a full Ironman you are also going to spend a ton of time doing research on what gear makes your bike the most aerodynamic. An aero shaped bottle for the seat tube and something behind the seat or for your aerobars will work well.
That being said, I would have appreciated something like this while training last year but suspect it would not have made the race rig.
Enjoyed the review.
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Permalink Reply by Casey Girard on
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Hi Ethan,
Apologies for just seeing this... Regarding aerodynamics, wanted to let you and other readers know that SipStream can also be installed using a rear mount, as shown here -- http://sipstream.com/instructions.php (recently uploaded instructions to SipStream's website, under "How It Works"). And again, the bottles are easy to swap out on the fly, even on a rear mount (as opposed to a seat or down tube mount). Hope that helps!
As always, don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Schneider on
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Josh: Thanks for doing this review. I have owned a Sip-Stream since last summer. When it first came out I was attracted by its innovative design and practical use for road riding and triathlons. I have used the system on my commutes to and from work, century rides and triathlons, from sprint to international distances. Even when my hands are on the bars, it is a simple flick of the arm to position it close to my mouth. Unlike traditional systems, there is no second-guessing slipping the bottle back into the cage. And, switching out a new bottle while spinning down the road was effortless. The system is that easy.
I look forward to this company coming out with any additions to their product. As i look at stepping up my efforts to longer distances the new bottle design described by the company sales director will be very helpful. Nice work, Sip-Stream!
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Permalink Reply by Josh Boggs on
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Stephen - You're right about the ease of adjustment. It's a much different position on a road bike, but it was still easy to adjust with one hand. My biggest problem was when I had to stand out of the saddle to climb, I had to consciously think about adjusting the drink tube out of the way before I stood. Kind of a pain, but once again... this product is not targeted for the traditional road bike, in my opinion.
Thanks for replying!
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