Review on XLAB 1129 Carbon Wing by Roger King

When I was training for my first triathlon I hated stopping pedaling to get a water bottle from the down tube cage, take a sip and then stop to put it down back down. When I also looked at the aerodynamics of the seat tube and down tube, it turned out that they created wind currents that degraded the aerodynamics of my carbon fiber bike. Also, I had a bike bag under the seat that was also sticking out and might have added drag. So I turned to the XLab Carbon Fender! I chose the carbon model because I could afford it and everything else was carbon. Also, these wings have minimal wear and tear so I wasn't worried about breaking them. I added XLab gorilla cages to my bottles and that's it. The Carbon Wing offers a lot of positioning options. First I tried one possibility and went on my way. The bottles stood too far and sank too deep. A few corrections and they touched my ass. Just a little adjustment and they are perfect! Not only are the bottles available within easy reach, I don't have to stop on my bike, and they're behind a huge windbreak: Me! To top it off, the fender comes with a pair of straps that you can use if you buy a bag as well. I didn't need a pouch as I simply wrapped my CO2 cartridge inside the tube, used some rubber bands to hold the $20 bill, my spoons and band-aid, and then stuffed everything between the bottles. The velcro strap keeps it in place and everything I need is always there. I use the jersey pockets to store gels and other stuff and I don't have a pocket that dangles behind the seat and creates more drag. multiple tubes. I only drive short distances (less than 50 km) and take risks. I'm glad there is such an opportunity if I decide to do it. This is a great purchase and I've done away with the old cages on the seat and down tubes.