I run a top tube bag for that reason. its right there in front of you
I’m doing the opposite…calories in the pack since it is easily accessible and water in 1 bottle (the other will have calories).
I’ll be running a castelli sanremo 2 speed suit (again). It’s all I’ve been buying the last few years and I find them more comfortable than bib/jersey and the aero is just a bonus. The only downside is managing with 2 pockets instead of 3 if that’s what you are used to. I also find them to cool very effectively in the heat, better than the mesh jersey’s I’ve used from other brands.
Close enough is usually good enough for me, but I also don’t use hydration packs for my primary calories. I fill the pack with regular Skratch, but get most of my calories elsewhere. If the day turns cool and I’m not drinking as much as planned, I can increase calories from my primary fuel (maple syrup). I can also figure out how much is left in the pack pretty easy by reaching back and giving it a little lift to feel the weight.
Some truth to that but just like I did when I was doing Ironmans, I try to ignore much of the stuff that isn’t really a concern to me. An aero suit, aero helmet, aero socks, etc. are largely irrelevant for me. my eyes glaze over when I hear the unbound pro race discussions about things like aero bars or spirit of gravel, etc.
Any competition for unbound for me is with myself. The challenge of doing the training and then race day just trying to get past the sucky parts of the day to try and finish.
The chamois is my concern. I was looking at the Gobik. Which Nopinz did you try? They have a gravel model with cargo pockets.
Another discussion point: for those riding aero bars, has anyone run a BTA hydration system? It seems to be me it would be preferable to a hydration pack—anyway to take weight off my body for 12 hours would seem to be advantageous.
I considered it….my system for tri’s was often just zip-tying a WB cage between the extensions. I decided against it for Unbound, though. Running Zipp 110 extensions and there is not enough room before the bars bend sharply up. Plus I have my Garmin in between the extensions as well.
Gobik has the k10 chamois
My nopinz is not the gravel, it was not available when i purchased the skin suit. They state the gravel skin suit has a gravel specific pad. link to what i have
I will be running aero bars just for time alone on the course. What is BTA hydration?
I am going to stick to bottles and hydration pack.
Last unbound I didnt run hydration pack in the morning, this time I will. I dont want to get behind on hydration in morning like I did last time. Only drank 1.5L first 75 miles and never could get caught up
Yeah, my partner has the Vuka AXS extensions on her tri bike and getting her a BTA setup for her Ironmans was really challenging.
Interesting. Assos would seem to be an ideal choice, but their suit is black.
I don’t think I have either, but my question is why. I have Profile Design extensions and don’t see any reason this couldn’t be mounted.
Assos would be great. I have used assos bibs 2 times for 200 mile gravel events. They worked great the first year I owned them. They make a nice product. I purchased the highest end product they offered.
+1 on getting creative with zip ties and bottle cages. This is what I run on my TT bike and that bike actually has internal hydration bladder with hose and all the crap (that I never use). It’s just easier to manage bottles and most of the aero tests I’ve seen show a bottle between the bars being more aero than without.
Personally, I run a USWE hydration pack and a couple bottles on the frame. I run the uswe on all of my training rides, I don’t even notice it’s there.
I need to start wearing the hydration pack. We have 4 weeks
My guess is peer acceptance, more than anything else. No one wants to be “that guy” who does it. 
I hate stuff on my bars. With rough gravel a bottle coming loose would be my fear.
Those systems are pretty secure…especially if you just do a cage between your arms. Bottles get ejected because of vertical forces, so having it horizontal between your arms (and in a secure cage like the Rib Cage from Specialized) is a pretty safe bet.
This is what I thought, but I didn’t know if there was something else obvious (from a practicality perspective) that I was missing. These gravel bikes are clown cars already.
Arrived in emporia late last night and got a good ride in this morning before the storms hit. Wind was howling all day. They got some rain recently and I ended up hitting a little mud spot and had flashbacks from last year. Rode through the mud for maybe 10 feet and I was scooping mud out from the usual frame collection points with my fingers. Heavy rain today and more forecast for tomorrow, I will likely be playing in the mud all week. Good prep I guess.
Were you riding north?
Two of my buddies went to the training camp a few weeks ago…the hot tip was to bring tongue depressors, which are thin enough to get between the cogs on your cassette to clear the mud.
The hot tip from people putting the race on indicating mud?