Since the onset of the pandemic, the metro has been subjected to limited access as public transportation was restricted to 50% only. The number of daily road cyclists increased, and this encouraged most of them to get the right accessories for bicycles to have the best experience. One of these is a bottle cage or a bottle holder which is helpful to keep one cool and hydrated in the hot weather.
Bottle cages are not only for the working class but also for fitness enthusiasts too. This small contraption aims to hold the water bottle and provide easy access whenever you need a drink. In this article, we will present the right factors to consider before your purchase and some of the best products for you to choose from. Also, read some tips and other items that might make your cycling experience as pleasurable as it can be.
Bottle cages can often be found perched on the top of the down tube or the seat tube of a bicycle. Below are some of the factors to consider when looking for the best product for your current needs.
A traditional alloy bottle cage is made of a tubular alloy that has a simple design and obviously heavier because of the material. It is cheaper and can be bent back into shape if ever it loses its grip over the water bottle.
The carbon fiber or polycarbonate type has a wraparound cage design which "embraces" the bottle body and holds it in place. It has a sleek and lightweight construction that is favored by racers and cross-country riders.
In situations that some cyclists might want a more aerodynamic approach, they could use a mounting bracket behind the saddle. Also, some triathlon bikes are affixed with a bar mount on their aero bars that hold a cage and bottle to be nearer the rider's face. This setup grants the triathlete water access through a straw while remaining in an aero tuck position during a race.
Conventionally, bottle cages are made with bent aluminum or steel for durability and strength. From a simple design of a tubular alloy shaped in a single loop to futuristic-looking cages that includes a rubberized coating for bottle retention, the choices are endless. When looking for a bottle cage that is lightweight but still maintains sturdiness, cyclists can resort to a much pricier titanium material.
Today, polycarbonate and carbon fiber materials are dominating the market. Many cyclists are favoring these newer materials because of their lighter construction and low price. Weight is a huge consideration for race cyclists and daily commuters, so the lighter it is, the more attractive they are, especially for the "weight weenies" out there.
Reaching out for your water bottle and removing it shouldn't pose a hassle, even when riding at high speeds. The cage should strike a balance between securing the bottle and ease of access.
Another factor to look into is the design of the frame. One could choose to have a top-load cage if you have lots of room on the front triangle, such as in the case of a standard bike frame.
Full-suspension bikes are a different matter since the frame has to accommodate more components with tight clearances, a side-load cage may be the best setup. Other cyclists prefer to have bottle holders mounted on their handlebar for faster access, so these designs are also available for triathlon-specific bikes.
The main function of a bottle cage is to secure the bottle and guarantee that it is gripped around the neck or body. Primarily, the cage must be mounted tightly into the frame to ensure it doesn't get loose due to vibrations during a ride. Minimalist cages, such as carbon fibers and plastics, have a wraparound design to grip the bottle body.
Trail or freestyle riding may need a "traditional" type of cage to prevent the bottle from sliding loose even if the bottle is shaken vigorously. A steel alloy cage might favor those who are on the extreme side since they could easily bend back a warped alloy cage if ever it gets whacked during a trail mishap or if it loses its grip over time.
Many manufacturers add rubber inserts or design the cage with a spring action mechanism to hold the water bottle in place. While a bottle cage should have adequate holding strength, it must also provide enough force to release the bottle too when needed.
Commonly, bottle cages are touted to be a one-size-fits-all accessory for your bike where it could hold a bottle up to 750 ml water capacity. Many high-end bike brands tend to sell cages and bottles as a combo to match the frames, which should eliminate issues with cage placement or space clearance.
Make sure you have the correct dimensions of your bike frame before ordering the cage, and consider the bottle size if ever you need a larger capacity in preparation for your long rides. On the other hand, you can purchase cages with extendable holders, so you can opt to bring a longer or a wider water bottle to quench your thirst.
We know that you're excited about this part of the article and we're here to provide the best products available for you online. Check out our recommended list below.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
From ₱79
Material | Carbon Fiber |
---|---|
Installation | Top / Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Wraparound |
Size | 144 x 72 x 72mm |
Weight | 35g |
Bottle Capacity | 750ml |
2017-11B
From ₱165
Material | Aluminum Alloy / Polycarbonate plastic |
---|---|
Installation | Top / Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Top / Side Load |
Grip Type | Wraparound With Stopper |
Size | 140 x 75mm |
Weight | 33g |
Bottle Capacity | 1500ml |
From ₱698
Material | Engineering-Grade Polymer / Rubber |
---|---|
Installation | Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Top / Side Load |
Grip Type | Rubber strap |
Size | 210 x 94 x 90mm |
Weight | 120g |
Bottle Capacity | Unspecified |
From ₱1,320
Material | Synthetic Material |
---|---|
Installation | Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Side Load - Right |
Grip Type | Wraparound |
Size | Unspecified |
Weight | 43g |
Bottle Capacity | 750ml |
From ₱1,926
Material | Carbon Material |
---|---|
Installation | Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Wraparound |
Size | 74mm |
Weight | 23g |
Bottle Capacity | 750ml |
From ₱210
Material | Metal Material |
---|---|
Installation | Down / Seat Tube |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Traditional |
Size | Unspecified |
Weight | Unspecified |
Bottle Capacity | 750ml |
From ₱2,360
Material | Aluminum Alloy / Nylon / Silicone |
---|---|
Installation | Down Tube / Fork |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Strapped |
Size | 203 x 101 x 82.5mm |
Weight | 164g |
Bottle Capacity | 4000ml |
From ₱1,595
Material | Aluminum Alloy |
---|---|
Installation | SWAT-Compatible Saddle |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Depending on the Cage |
Size | Unspecified |
Weight | Unspecified |
Bottle Capacity | Depending on the Cage |
From ₱550
Material | Injected Nylon/Glass Fiber |
---|---|
Installation | Handlebar |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Depending on the Cage |
Size | Unspecified |
Weight | 75g |
Bottle Capacity | Depending on the Cage |
From ₱371
Material | Aluminum Alloy |
---|---|
Installation | Seatpost Tube |
Access | Top Load |
Grip Type | Depending on the Cage |
Size | 80mm / 22.2-31.8mm seatpost |
Weight | Unspecified |
Bottle Capacity | Depending on the Cage |
Image | 1 Bikemen | 2 ![]() Rockbros | 3 Topeak | 4 Specialized | 5 ![]() Elite | 6 ![]() Decathlon | 7 ![]() Blackburn | 8 ![]() Specialized | 9 ![]() Profile Design | 10 MZYRH |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Carbon Fiber Bottle Cage | Bicycle Bottle Cage | Modula Java Bottle Cage | ZEE II Composite Bottle Cage | Vico Cage | B'TWIN Triban 100 Metal Bottle Cage | Outpost Cage | Direct-Mount Reserve Rack | Aerodrink Basebar Bracket | Bottle Cage Holder Mount Adapter |
Features | A Budget-Friendly Cage for Weight Weenies | The Cage for Various Bottle Types | Enjoy Your Coffee Wherever You May Be | The Top Choice for Cramped Bike Frames | A Race-Tested Premium Carbon Cage | The Classic and Durable Cage for Everyone | A Bikepacker's Best Pick for a Bottle Cage | Simple, Easy, and Multi-Purpose | A Speed-Oriented Accessory for Serious Cyclists | Need More Water? Here's the Best Solution |
Price Starts at | ₱79 | ₱165 | ₱698 | ₱1,320 | ₱1,926 | ₱210 | ₱2,360 | ₱1,595 | ₱550 | ₱371 |
Material | Carbon Fiber | Aluminum Alloy / Polycarbonate plastic | Engineering-Grade Polymer / Rubber | Synthetic Material | Carbon Material | Metal Material | Aluminum Alloy / Nylon / Silicone | Aluminum Alloy | Injected Nylon/Glass Fiber | Aluminum Alloy |
Installation | Top / Down / Seat Tube | Top / Down / Seat Tube | Down / Seat Tube | Down / Seat Tube | Down / Seat Tube | Down / Seat Tube | Down Tube / Fork | SWAT-Compatible Saddle | Handlebar | Seatpost Tube |
Access | Top Load | Top / Side Load | Top / Side Load | Side Load - Right | Top Load | Top Load | Top Load | Top Load | Top Load | Top Load |
Grip Type | Wraparound | Wraparound With Stopper | Rubber strap | Wraparound | Wraparound | Traditional | Strapped | Depending on the Cage | Depending on the Cage | Depending on the Cage |
Size | 144 x 72 x 72mm | 140 x 75mm | 210 x 94 x 90mm | Unspecified | 74mm | Unspecified | 203 x 101 x 82.5mm | Unspecified | Unspecified | 80mm / 22.2-31.8mm seatpost |
Weight | 35g | 33g | 120g | 43g | 23g | Unspecified | 164g | Unspecified | 75g | Unspecified |
Bottle Capacity | 750ml | 1500ml | Unspecified | 750ml | 750ml | 750ml | 4000ml | Depending on the Cage | Depending on the Cage | Depending on the Cage |
Link |
Are you new to the biking scene? You might be thinking of adding a bottle cage one of these days as you plan your next long ride. You can check out this YouTube video from TheRenderQ and find out how fast and easy it is to install a cage on your mountain bike.
Complete your riding gear and pimp up your ride with the best products that we found online. Check out our recommended stuff for all of your cycling needs. Just click on the links below!
It doesn't matter whether you're racing, trail-riding, or just leisure riding, getting a bottle cage and a water bottle is essential. But, carrying a water bottle inside your pocket or on your belt pack isn't the ideal thing. This might be dangerous since it doesn't provide secure handling and better access. We hope that this article has enlightened every cyclist on the importance of a bottle cage. Happy trails!
Author: C. Lacson
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