Bike Storage It's not easy storing a whole bunch of family bikes in a garage that is crammed with other stuff. I can store two bikes upside down on hooks fastened to a wood storage area supported from carriage bolts mounted in the attic above the garage. Two additional bikes can be stored on pulley systems (from Performance Bike) hung from the high garage ceiling. Then there is at least one bike that can be hung from wall hooks and of course other bikes utilizing their kickstands.

Hydration Storage On A Recumbent With A Rans Seat The Rans seat has bottle holder mounts on the sides but I prefer using the hydration unit as shown below. I use the 100oz water bladder from a Camelbak Mule. I chose this water bladder because it has a screw cap for adding water. Also,  on my mtn bikes I normally would go thru at least 2 - 27oz  water bottles on a 60 mile ride. The tendency with hydration units is that you drink more water because it is easier to get to it versus the water bottles. Therefore I opted for the 100oz water bladder instead of a smaller size. The other benefit is that the 100oz bladder is wider and therefore the water is spread out more making it less likely to compress it when sitting on the recumbent seat - even one that significantly reclines.

I replaced the std tube with the insulated tube that bends and holds it's shape. To dry it out, I invert it and shove the std tube inside the bladder to form an air pocket. I then hang it up to dry.

The Camelbak Mule is to bulky to fit easily inside the webbing of the Rans seat. I found a thin mesh bag (used to hold tent pegs, etc) and it works great !

Here is the waterbladder inside the Rans seat webbing. The thin mesh bag securely holds it in place. The little cord spring lock holds/adjusts the location of the waterbladder in the webbing. I simply hook it over the Rans metal web supports in the center. It holds fine !

See Update Below This Section - 2 Other Hydration Storage Methods !

Update -- Summer 2001 There is one unusual problem that developed with the above method. It doesn't have to be a problem if one is observant but... read on: I used the above method for about 1 1/2 years. Appearance and functionality-wise the waterbladeer inside the RANS seatback is very, very good. However, I apparently developed a leak in the camelback waterbladder from the nozzle cap. If the waterbladder was replaced, then that would probably have been the end of the problem. However, I did not notice the leak right away and then when I did, it was not of immediate concern to me since it seemed like a small leak. Then my seat and bottom started to get wet and so the problem was becoming more of a nuisance and I then inspectedthe situation more thoroughly. A bigger problem was apparent. The leak over time was becoming worse from a number of factors - deterioration of the nozzle o-ring/cap fit was the initial concern but the pressure from my back compressing the waterbladder a bit probably added to the concern. The water was leaking onto the seatback fabric which appears to be not affected by water. But there is stitching and a stitching fabric that holds the wire supports of the seatback mesh that was also getting wet and that fabric was noticeably deteriorating. The fabric deteriorated to such a degree that 1/3 of the lower seatback was not being held taut any longer producing some slack in the seatback mesh and therefore my back was compressing the waterbladder even more as the fabric deteriorated further. Therefore, I looked into other options for hydration storage.

Two Other Options : RANS Full Size Seatbag or The Use Of A Camelback Unbottle

RANS Full Size Seatback Bag:  This is one alternative that has a nice clean appearance. I have tried it several times. While it has some benefits, it also has some drawbacks. It's greatest benefit is that it holds both a waterbladder (Platypus bladders work best) and has ample storage that is much greater than a typical Handlebar Bag. The waterbladder has a separate pouch and a hole to thread the water tube thru it. So that's a rather clean design. You also have plenty of room to bring goodies with you, store a jacket, etc.  The disadvantages are that the waterbladder is not easily removable and it's placement inside the pouch means it is a necessity to regularly remove the entire bag.off the recumbent. Also, the pouch for the waterbladder will not hold a 100oz waterbladder. A 60oz size works best and I prefer using a 100oz waterbladder for my long rides. Camelback Unbottle: This is a 100oz waterbladder with a streamlined storage holder that has support clips on the outside rather than the support straps that regular Camelbacks come with. The 100oz waterbladder was also redesigned and has an entirely dfifferent and much larger nozzle/cap.  The Unbottle's advantage is that with the storage holder it can be strapped alongside a handlebar bag used on the rear of a recumbent. Then they both can provide hydration and storage and only the waterbladder need be brought into the house each day.  The only real disadvantage is that the appearance is not as clean as putting a waterbladder into the RANS seatback. However, you get used to it and the benefit of not having to be concerned about leaks getting on the seatback stitching fabric or compressing the seatback with your back squeezing the watebladder are non-problems.

See Thumbnails photos below for the Unbottle

Click on thumbnails for full size photos

Hydration Section, below, updated 10-21-01