Water Bottle Cage
03-30-15, 12:28 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 103
Bikes: CAAD10 105
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Water Bottle Cage
Does a racing water bottle cage make any difference on speed? Is there really any difference between a regular aluminum cage and a racing one?
03-30-15, 12:38 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Racing cage will make you up to 5 mph faster but it has to be red to get that kind of gain.
It's just looks, really.
It's just looks, really.
03-30-15, 12:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,671
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5767 Post(s)
Liked 2,542 Times
in
1,408 Posts
Whatever difference it might make doesn't amount to anything in the scheme of things. Cages are about holding bottles securely. Use the one that does the job, subject to your style preference and budget.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-30-15, 12:54 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonds Wa
Posts: 645
Bikes: 2014 Felt F2 2015 Specialized Tarmac Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My guess is race branded cages are just lighter and have no real benefit over any other cage. Buy what you like without the influence a race label could impose.
03-30-15, 01:37 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 10,879
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 104 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Aero accessories will save you at most a few seconds per hour. This can be important if you are contending for a podium spot in a top race, but has no value to non-racers.
03-30-15, 04:51 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mixing manufactures and colors results in sub-optimal performance. Use Bontrager for Trek, Specialized for...yes, Specialized bikes.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
03-30-15, 06:20 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 261
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix Ultegra, 2016 Ridley X-Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I got my road bike, I got the bottle cages that I liked the best, fit the best and were easiest to get the bottle in and out of. In this case, they happened to be carbon fiber ones but the material had no bearing on my decision.
As mentioned, it's mainly looks.
As mentioned, it's mainly looks.
03-31-15, 07:24 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: S.W. Florida
Posts: 121
Bikes: Trek Domane 4.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You mean people buy something other than Arundel Dave-O bottle cages or Arundel Side Loader bottle cages?
It those two won't work for you the Arundel Mandible is likely what you are looking for.
Bottle Cages | Product Categories | Arundel Bicycle Company
Seriously, I have Arundel Dave-O bottle cages and my wife has a set of Arundel Side Loader bottle cages, they do not scratch up our bottles which we now use Camelbak Podium Ice bottles. Well I use two of the Podium Ice bottles, my wife due to her frame size uses one Podium Ice bottle and one Camel Back Podium Chill bottle. The Podium Ice bottles are about an inch taller than the Podium Chill bottles and won't fit on her seat post due to the height.
The Arundel bottle cages hold the bottles securely and they look nice as well.
It those two won't work for you the Arundel Mandible is likely what you are looking for.
Bottle Cages | Product Categories | Arundel Bicycle Company
Seriously, I have Arundel Dave-O bottle cages and my wife has a set of Arundel Side Loader bottle cages, they do not scratch up our bottles which we now use Camelbak Podium Ice bottles. Well I use two of the Podium Ice bottles, my wife due to her frame size uses one Podium Ice bottle and one Camel Back Podium Chill bottle. The Podium Ice bottles are about an inch taller than the Podium Chill bottles and won't fit on her seat post due to the height.
The Arundel bottle cages hold the bottles securely and they look nice as well.
Last edited by Domane; 03-31-15 at 07:33 AM.
03-31-15, 08:42 AM
#9
SuperGimp
Dave-O cages are ludicrously expensive for what they are, so I only bought two. 
I gave up on the traditional metal ones after ejecting one too many water bottles on a down hill. I've never had a hint of a problem with the arundel cages.
I gave up on the traditional metal ones after ejecting one too many water bottles on a down hill. I've never had a hint of a problem with the arundel cages.
03-31-15, 09:09 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,686
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1125 Post(s)
Liked 249 Times
in
200 Posts
I have traditional metal cages and never in 40 years had a ejected water bottle even after I switched to the heavier 24 ounce Polar bottles. I also have plastic cages and those too have never ejected a bottle. Some cages I can tell by trying to flex them that they could eject a bigger Polar bottle so I don't get those.
The best cage on the market (in my opinion of course) for the money and weight is the polymer (plastic) Bontrager RL cage, this cage cost $20 and weighs 38 grams and is very strong for holding larger Polar bottles, plus comes in a variety of colors. Lezyne makes a nice looking aluminum cage that weighs 42 grams that has a built in bracket (curved section) on the side of the cage and a strap to hold their Road Drive pumps snuggly without rattling, and it too is very strong for holding larger Polar bottles.
There are lots of bottle cages on the market to choose from, some are flimsy, but most do the job well.
The best cage on the market (in my opinion of course) for the money and weight is the polymer (plastic) Bontrager RL cage, this cage cost $20 and weighs 38 grams and is very strong for holding larger Polar bottles, plus comes in a variety of colors. Lezyne makes a nice looking aluminum cage that weighs 42 grams that has a built in bracket (curved section) on the side of the cage and a strap to hold their Road Drive pumps snuggly without rattling, and it too is very strong for holding larger Polar bottles.
There are lots of bottle cages on the market to choose from, some are flimsy, but most do the job well.
03-31-15, 09:17 AM
#11
Senior Member
Great cages. If you were racing without a water bottle in the cage(s), they might not be as aerodynamic as a wire/metal cage.
I've heard that if you are going to use only one bottle, but it on the seat tube for better aerodynamics.
03-31-15, 09:22 AM
#12
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,565
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13694 Post(s)
Liked 4,520 Times
in
2,499 Posts
What about Arundel? They don't make bikes.
03-31-15, 09:28 AM
#13
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,565
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13694 Post(s)
Liked 4,520 Times
in
2,499 Posts
My Arundel sports bounced a bottle once. Unexpected rough patch.
03-31-15, 10:05 AM
#14
SuperGimp
03-31-15, 10:10 AM
#15
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
There is no single "best" and if you use one from the same manufacturer of your frame, the look and finish will match.
After all, if you can't be fast, you should look fast
03-31-15, 11:05 AM
#16
Senior Member
Every plastic or carbon cage I've ever used has been a bottle launcher. I'm not saying the material was at fault, just that you need to find the right design in those materials. I use inexpensive stainless cages on my road bike and inexpensive alloy Elite cages with gel inserts on my cross bike. Never had a problem with either.
03-31-15, 03:12 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
3rd party performance enhancing accessories are acceptable at the risk of warranty-voiding asplosions.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
03-31-15, 03:15 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 261
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix Ultegra, 2016 Ridley X-Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Every plastic or carbon cage I've ever used has been a bottle launcher. I'm not saying the material was at fault, just that you need to find the right design in those materials. I use inexpensive stainless cages on my road bike and inexpensive alloy Elite cages with gel inserts on my cross bike. Never had a problem with either.
03-31-15, 03:15 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Turns out this these are the 4rd, and best, bottle cage I have used. No marring or black streaks of the bottles, springy enough to allow large bottles in my smaller frame bikes. And they match my Trek.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
04-01-15, 12:14 AM
#22
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I've always been pretty happy with the reasonably priced Specialized E-cages. They're not carbon but I think the traditional metal design looks good on my carbon frame.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
04-01-15, 03:57 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,686
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1125 Post(s)
Liked 249 Times
in
200 Posts
By the way the Trek pictured would need to have a second aero bottle where the Tacx cage is now otherwise the rider is completely wasting any benefit the first aero bottle is trying to provide.
04-01-15, 07:30 AM
#24
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,565
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13694 Post(s)
Liked 4,520 Times
in
2,499 Posts
04-01-15, 03:31 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Bikes: Colnago CLX,GT Karakoram,Giant Revel, Kona Honk_ Tonk
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Cheap plastic ones that match my bike work for me. I have never seen one get ejected but I guess it could happen.