Profile Design FC Hydration System Review
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Do you want a water bottle that’s aero, it’s easy to drink out of and you can place between your aero bars? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, keep reading, the Profile Design FC Hydration System is the water bottle for you.
There are several options for aero bars hydration systems in the market currently; they all claim to be aero and convenient. Your setup can be as simple as a water bottle cage with zip ties in between the aero bars or as complex as other models like the xLabs torpedo systems, older Profile Design models, or what I consider now the system that has raised the bar, the Profile Design FC Hydration System.
In the Box
As you can see from the picture the Profile Design FC Hydration System comes completely assembled, which it might not sound like a big deal but it is. I have tried the other systems that you have to put together use screwdrivers and Allen wrenches. As soon as you cut the zip ties, you are able to attach it to the aero bars. You use a simple 2 strap Velcro system to tighten it to the bars, this is surprisingly very stable and very easy to install. Once you have secured the Velcro straps and you have it in your optimal position there are 2 screws that you can tighten up with a 3mm Allen wrench. This will make sure the FC Hydration System does not move afterwards.
Profile Design FC Hydration System
I wanted to make sure this was not just a good looking system but that it was functional also and that it was tested thoroughly. I trained with the system several time, competed in 1 Ironman and 1 Half Ironman Triathlon. During both races it performed great. It was easy to fill up, didn’t splash and it was very convenient.
FC Hydration System during training in the rain
Favorite Features on the Profile Design FC Hydration System
– Straw: The straw is flexible, it can be placed on the right or left side of the Profile Design FC Hydration System depending on your preference. It has a wide opening so getting the fluid is easy and you get plenty of hydration while drinking, this is amazing compared to the other systems on the market.
– Refueling system: The main reason I love such a system is because you don’t need to worry about the water or Gatorade bottles rattling and popping out during a race, most of these bottles never fit any of the normal cages. I always grab a bottle while passing the aid stations refilling the Profile Design FC Hydration System and being able to dispose of the bottle, I was given in transition, before I go through the final trash area. It is very easy to refill, but at the same time it doesn’t splash. Profile Design FC Hydration System has 2 level splash proof system, which will keep fluids from splashing, this is a huge deal. Getting any fluids splashed in your face during a race is not fun.
– Bottle: There are two options for the bottle itself, you can have a 25 an a 35 oz. You can also have it in black or white. At the end of the system there is a place where you can put nutrition as well, you can see that in the picture above. I was able to fit 3 gels easily.
– Bottle’s Flat bottom: This doesn’t sound like it’s important but compared to other systems this is amazing, as I can set the bottle on the counter and it will not flip over like the other systems. It stays upright even if it’s full. The bottle itself is also removable, which is nice in case you would like to leave the base on the aero bars and take the bottle inside.
I always take the bottle with me, when I have to leave the bike overnight before a race. It takes 10 seconds to put back on the bracket.
– Size: You can’t see it when in aero position; This makes the system very aero. I tested the black bottle, it looks great, there are 2 negatives for me with a black bottle. The first one is that it will warm up my fluids faster as it absorbs more heat and second is that I have no idea how much liquid I still have inside, Maybe a transparent strip somewhere would help with this problem.
Profile Design FC Hydration System during a half Ironman Triathlon, you can’t see it.
– Computer holder included: I love this feature, but if I were to change anything, I would try to put the holder in a little more aero position, maybe a little further in front and lower it a little, this is the only part that sticks out and doesn’t look aero. Visualization of the screen is great however.
– No tools needed for installation
Questions you might have
– Is the Profile Design FC Hydration System noisy?
For me there is nothing more annoying that spending 5-6 hours on your bike and a rattling or screeching noise coming out of your bike, so this is a big factor for me. I don’t train with music, I like to listen to my body and my environment, plus I like to listen for cars as well. I am happy to say that if the system is installed correctly on the aero bars you won’t hear a thing, when going through rough pavement it will rattle a little but nothing really noticeable.
– How much hydration does it hold?
It comes in two sizes, 25oz or 739ml and the 35oz or 1035ml
– How Aero is it?
This is a harder question to answer, as I don’t have access to a wind tunnel, but looking at it from the front and from the tests Hydration System did it seems very aero.
Profile Design FC Hydration System during a full Ironman Triathlon, still very hard to see.
Final Thoughts on the Profile Design FC Hydration System
This is in my opinion the best “in between” aero bars system on the market right now. Not needing any tools for installation, easy to refill, quiet and affordable, it really makes for a great product. With some minor tweaks the Profile Design FC Hydration System is the perfect system that everyone will want. With a BPA free bottle that was designed for on the go hydration you can’t go wrong with the FC Hydration System. For more info or to purchase, visit www.amazon.com/profiledesign.
