Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Water Bottles

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Water Bottles

Old 06-12-19, 06:04 PM
  #1  
blackieoneshot 
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
blackieoneshot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: N Richland Hills TX
Posts: 126

Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Voyager SP, 1984 Lotus Legend Compe, 1989 Bridgestone RB-1, 1973 Monark, 2015 Surly Pacer

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 5 Posts
Water Bottles

How often do you replace them? What's your favorite this summer?
blackieoneshot is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 06:32 PM
  #2  
bobwysiwyg
Senior Member
 
bobwysiwyg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)
Posts: 2,344

Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 941 Post(s)
Liked 319 Times in 189 Posts
I've been using a couple of Specialized for six years so far. Always rinse thoroughly and let them dry, no issues. I've recently tried two 24 oz. Camelbaks for the extra capacity. They are minimally insulated, but it works, keeps fluids a bit cooler. They're now my go to bottles for summer anyway. My advice is get as light a color as possible for summer.

Last edited by bobwysiwyg; 06-12-19 at 06:43 PM.
bobwysiwyg is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 06:38 PM
  #3  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Was this something I was supposed to do on a scheduled interval?
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Likes For Darth Lefty:
Old 06-12-19, 07:07 PM
  #4  
texbiker
Senior Member
 
texbiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kingwood, TX
Posts: 1,042

Bikes: Cervelo Caledonia Rival AXS eTap, Blue Norcross AL, Lynskey Helix

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 107 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times in 81 Posts
I have used mine for several years. I only put ice and water in mine and clean the nozzle several times a year or when they look dirty.
texbiker is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 07:55 PM
  #5  
Kedosto
Callipygian Connoisseur
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 564 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times in 190 Posts
Be mindful of what you put into it and your water bottle could last you a lifetime. Vanity usually gets the better of me and I’ll find a reason to buy new ones. I mean, who wants to put a scratched up used water bottle on a fresh new build?


-Kedosto
Kedosto is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 08:00 PM
  #6  
no motor?
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Was this something I was supposed to do on a scheduled interval?
I'm still using the ones I got ages ago. I rarely put anything besides water or ice in them, they should last for ages.
no motor? is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 08:02 PM
  #7  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Water bottle for morning commute? Naw. Indestructible Stanley stainless one hand coffee mug for me.
Archwhorides is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 08:57 AM
  #8  
RoadKill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 219

Bikes: Specialized AWOL, Specialized Roubaix, Niner Air9, Turner Sultan

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 24 Posts
Most of my water bottles are basic bottles that were free from various events that some bike shop or manufacturer sponsored. My newest water bottle is about 5 years old and all of look like they just survived a decade floating out in the great Pacific garbage patch.
For commuting I have a water bottle on my bike that only ever has water in it and gets washed maybe 2 or 3 times a year.
RoadKill is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 09:35 AM
  #9  
Harhir
Senior Member
 
Harhir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 669

Bikes: Fahrradmanufaktur Trekking Bike, 2 x Lightning Phantom, bikeE AT, Radwagon3

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 180 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times in 72 Posts
I have been using mine for years. I just rinse them regularly. I avoid the cheap bottles which often add a nasty plastic smell and I never use anything but water in my bottles or my camel bags to avoid any kind of mold buildup.
Harhir is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 09:53 AM
  #10  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
I get a handful of bottles from my team each year. We use Specialized Purist bottles. They hold water, they don't leak, they don't break or dent if you drop them.
caloso is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 12:14 PM
  #11  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
My favorite is the 24 oz Polar insulated bottle.

I use them until they wear out, or start growing mold or mildew, or lose one. Some of the older Specialized bottles would crack in the middle after 5-10 years and leak. Wash them shortly after use and dry them out thoroughly and they won't grow stuff or taste like plastic.
pdlamb is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 12:40 PM
  #12  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Buy stainless, once..
fietsbob is offline  
Likes For fietsbob:
Old 06-13-19, 12:51 PM
  #13  
wipekitty
vespertine member
 
wipekitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times in 163 Posts
Camelbak Podium. I replace when the dog eats them.
wipekitty is offline  
Old 06-13-19, 01:46 PM
  #14  
AusTexMurf
Senior Member
 
AusTexMurf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: South Austin, Texas
Posts: 919

Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by fietsbob
Buy stainless, once..
This...

I use two 27oz Klean Kanteen stainless water bottles.
For years....both of mine are more than 5 years old.
I cover them in stickers and add to them when they are beat up and I think about it. Cuts down on metal to metal rattling.
I also use a 20oz stainless coffee cup w/ tight lid closure. Same one for years. Get one that fits your bike bottle holding system. Purchased my current one on clearance at Starbucks a couple of years ago. The previous one lasted 5+ years.
No plastic. No waste.

Last edited by AusTexMurf; 06-18-19 at 07:03 PM. Reason: spelling and volume
AusTexMurf is offline  
Likes For AusTexMurf:
Old 06-16-19, 12:33 PM
  #15  
ericzamora
junior
 
ericzamora's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Fresno, Calif.
Posts: 282

Bikes: 2020 Surly ECR / 2018 Norco Search XR steel gravel bike with GRX / 1983 Bianchi Campione D'Italia / Gary Fisher Wingra / Motobecane Nomade mixte (daughter's)

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 11 Posts
I have Camelback and Polar. Have used Specialized decades ago, and various cheap ones. I wash once every few weeks, maybe once a month. If i replace, it's not because i wore them out. I just find a new design i want to try. My favorite are the Powerflow bottles from Bianchi USA. No need to bite and slide. Just squeeze the bottle.

eric/fresno, ca.
ericzamora is offline  
Old 06-17-19, 06:50 AM
  #16  
Moe Zhoost
Half way there
 
Moe Zhoost's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,955

Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 526 Posts
Originally Posted by blackieoneshot
How often do you replace them? What's your favorite this summer?
I replace when they start to leak. No favorites, they're just cheap plastic vessels after all.
Moe Zhoost is offline  
Old 06-18-19, 02:43 PM
  #17  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Originally Posted by wipekitty
Camelbak Podium. I replace when the dog eats them.
I love Camelbak Podium, the valve is the best (except it's basically impossible to clean the guts inside the valve).

Every time I'm at salvation army I sift through the tons of water bottles and see if there are any camelbak podiums. I've gotten at least 3 so far.

But I keep my daily commuter loaded up with my Sriracha water bottle (also from salvation army). But it's just for looks. My commute is short enough I almost never drink from it. Maybe 3-4 sips a year.
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-18-19, 04:17 PM
  #18  
no motor?
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Originally Posted by Archwhorides
Water bottle for morning commute? Naw. Indestructible Stanley stainless one hand coffee mug for me.
The what do you carry coffee in thread always interests me whenever it get resurrected.
no motor? is offline  
Old 06-18-19, 06:19 PM
  #19  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
I have never carried coffee on a bike. Or covfefe even. I have stuck a half-empty slurpee in a water bottle cage a few times, that's about as creative as I get.
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-18-19, 06:52 PM
  #20  
Archwhorides 
Senior Member
 
Archwhorides's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927

Bikes: Death machines all

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 63 Posts
Originally Posted by no motor?
The what do you carry coffee in thread always interests me whenever it get resurrected.
In the evening I rinse out the Stanley one-hand stainless thermal mug and fill it with cold soda water for the ride home - keeps hot things hot and cold things cold for the five years I've had it.
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Archwhorides is offline  
Likes For Archwhorides:
Old 06-18-19, 07:39 PM
  #21  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 4,486 Times in 3,336 Posts
Any of my water bottles that are 30 years old taste bad...
Well, they would if I knew where they were. But, they were bad bottles when new.

New ones vary a bit. The larger bottles are the Zefal Magnum bottles weighing in at 33 oz. Not perfect, but not bad.

The Specialized MOFLO bottles are slightly smaller, taste slightly better, and are pretty leak proof, even if the spogot isn't closed.

Originally Posted by fietsbob
Buy stainless, once..


I've found that there are several models of Contigo bottles fit in the cages well, and work well, depending on the spout one wants. Most of them are auto/button operated and are easy to use. Newer ones can be mostly opened for washing/cleaning, depending on how one uses the bottles.

I can't tell if the plastic insulated bottles do much, but the Contigo insulated Stainless bottles work well for a few hours, either hot or cold.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 06-19-19, 01:13 PM
  #22  
noglider 
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,361 Times in 1,380 Posts
Yeah, stainless steel. I won't go back to plastic. I know, they're expensive.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 06-20-19, 06:10 PM
  #23  
Classtime 
Senior Member
 
Classtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,672

Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1924 Post(s)
Liked 1,954 Times in 1,086 Posts
A King Cage Iris holds my commuter Klein Canteen without rattling.
Classtime is offline  
Old 06-21-19, 07:18 AM
  #24  
UniChris
Senior Member
 
UniChris's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 1,909

Bikes: 36" Unicycle, winter knock-around hybrid bike

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times in 282 Posts
Any ideas on how to improvise a dust cover for camelbak podium valves?

I'm now the owner of two 24 oz (mostly for speed of availability), though honestly I'd have rather had something with a simple wide screw off cap as the height barely fits and I can't get at them without dismounting anyway. And yes, I know they sell covers; already feeling like I spent too much on something that wasn't what I really wanted.

Mounted behind the seatpost the valves will end up nearly jammed under the saddle so a sort of shower cap that stays attached there when they come out might almost work, problem is rear mount bottles also end up effectively the fender and there will definitely be puddles.

I could do a sandwich bag and a rubber band, but that's getting to a fairly large number of steps to get a drink, especially as I'm expecting I'll have to add a velcro strap to aid cage retention (that I can force them in/out sideways is a necessity as much as a flaw, no room to slide out vertically). Pack cloth and sewing elastic may be an option, or maybe no elastic but just a long sleeve... with some velcro to connect with the planned retention strap?

I'd almost rather just stick two re-used 20 oz gatorade or vitamin water bottles in the cages, and would have done that if I could find anything in a 24 oz size. Discovering I have to unscrew the lid of the camelbacks to get the last mouthful or two out anyway calls the whole thing into question.

Oddity: turns out Vitamin Water Zero Revive fruit punch uniquely among any flavors I saw has 940 mg of potassium, vs most having none. And I bought it just to fit-test the bottle! Should I end up actually taking it, I have half a mind to open it and put in a corresponding amount of table salt.

Last edited by UniChris; 06-21-19 at 07:33 AM.
UniChris is offline  
Old 06-21-19, 08:10 AM
  #25  
sdmc530
Heft On Wheels
 
sdmc530's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,124

Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times in 346 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Was this something I was supposed to do on a scheduled interval?
just checked, not in my manual either?! LOL


I replace when they start to leak or I lose them. I usually lose them before they leak.
sdmc530 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.