Classic look Plastic water bottles?
02-25-16, 04:34 PM
#1
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Classic look Plastic water bottles?
Is anyone making classic look water bottles? I've seen aluminum ones and the new BPA free translucent bottles
and nalgene type. But what about something for mid-70's road bikes?
Seems like what is available from the era is crazy expensive.
and nalgene type. But what about something for mid-70's road bikes?
Seems like what is available from the era is crazy expensive.
02-25-16, 04:58 PM
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good question!
I use the TA handlebar cage on a few of my bikes, so I use regular 16 ounce bottles in the cage. I prefer to use something like the old TA bottles or the Specialized bottles. I started to get concerned about this 10 years ago or so, and bought a bunch at that time. Not all of them were attractive, but they are functional. It would be nice to find some still in production.
here's a shot of a Rivendell labeled Specialized bottle in the TA cage on my Raleigh International...
Steve in Peoria
I use the TA handlebar cage on a few of my bikes, so I use regular 16 ounce bottles in the cage. I prefer to use something like the old TA bottles or the Specialized bottles. I started to get concerned about this 10 years ago or so, and bought a bunch at that time. Not all of them were attractive, but they are functional. It would be nice to find some still in production.
here's a shot of a Rivendell labeled Specialized bottle in the TA cage on my Raleigh International...
Steve in Peoria
02-25-16, 05:28 PM
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quick update:
Poking around the web didn't reveal anything that looks just like the old TA or Specialized bottles.
There are a few that are "normal" sized or close to it, and aren't too modern looking.
My biggest complaint about some of the off-brand bottles is that the nozzle is cheap plastic instead of the nice rubber Specialized nozzles that open easily and seal fairly well. No idea how these will perform in that regard.
California Springs Bio Green Classic Twist Bottle, Standard 20 oz. - White
Lazer Waterbottle, 21 Ounce Clear with black top
Castelli Water Bottle - Water Bottles - Excel Sports
"Classic white and red Castelli graphics with the Scorpion logo do a great banding job for those who want to show their love for Castelli. 18.6oz capacity is compact and perfect for short to medium range rides."
from Rivendell: Water Bottle of the Immortals
18 ounce capacity.
"These can't be screen printed, and they don't squeeze as easily as the normal kind, but the Live Forever feature makes up for that, and even if you don't care to live that long, you'll at least like that they don't make the water taste like plastic. Plus, the Clear ones are exceptionally clear. "
slim pickings, but better than nothing...?
Steve in Peoria
Poking around the web didn't reveal anything that looks just like the old TA or Specialized bottles.
There are a few that are "normal" sized or close to it, and aren't too modern looking.
My biggest complaint about some of the off-brand bottles is that the nozzle is cheap plastic instead of the nice rubber Specialized nozzles that open easily and seal fairly well. No idea how these will perform in that regard.
California Springs Bio Green Classic Twist Bottle, Standard 20 oz. - White
Lazer Waterbottle, 21 Ounce Clear with black top
Castelli Water Bottle - Water Bottles - Excel Sports
"Classic white and red Castelli graphics with the Scorpion logo do a great banding job for those who want to show their love for Castelli. 18.6oz capacity is compact and perfect for short to medium range rides."
from Rivendell: Water Bottle of the Immortals
18 ounce capacity.
"These can't be screen printed, and they don't squeeze as easily as the normal kind, but the Live Forever feature makes up for that, and even if you don't care to live that long, you'll at least like that they don't make the water taste like plastic. Plus, the Clear ones are exceptionally clear. "
slim pickings, but better than nothing...?
Steve in Peoria
02-25-16, 06:00 PM
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I definitely do not follow C&V when it comes to water bottles.
The new stuff is fine with me, and there is no nostalgia for the old.
Form me, insulated bottles for hot days and even metal insulated Thermos bottles.
On a yearly triathlon, I keep a very cold beer in one, on the bike, until I'm done.
Ice cold incentive, and it's not like I'm going to miss the podium because of it.
I had a Campagnolo aero bottle and if I couldn't really get the outside clean.
The inside was clean and disinfected, just not my style.
Since I ride solo, convenience stores have sort of become my water stops, anyway.
A Tacx round canister serves as a tool bag/GU container most of the time, in my one cage.
As someone who has imbibed from all sorts of canteens and containers all over the world, I no longer tempt my tract, so to speak.
One bout of dysentery, in all of its goodness, was more than enough. Great weight loss program, but not to be repeated.
The new stuff is fine with me, and there is no nostalgia for the old.
Form me, insulated bottles for hot days and even metal insulated Thermos bottles.
On a yearly triathlon, I keep a very cold beer in one, on the bike, until I'm done.
Ice cold incentive, and it's not like I'm going to miss the podium because of it.
I had a Campagnolo aero bottle and if I couldn't really get the outside clean.
The inside was clean and disinfected, just not my style.
Since I ride solo, convenience stores have sort of become my water stops, anyway.
A Tacx round canister serves as a tool bag/GU container most of the time, in my one cage.
As someone who has imbibed from all sorts of canteens and containers all over the world, I no longer tempt my tract, so to speak.
One bout of dysentery, in all of its goodness, was more than enough. Great weight loss program, but not to be repeated.
02-25-16, 06:12 PM
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"there is no nostalgia for the old."
an appropriate look is very important to me.
an appropriate look is very important to me.
02-25-16, 06:29 PM
#7
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I've had a similar conundrum as most modern bottles look pretty silly. I'm going to give the clear Rivendell bottles a try I think.
Even BITD I never liked the Specialized bottles. Tasted plasticky. I'd seek out the REG, TA or ALE bottles whenever possible.
Even BITD I never liked the Specialized bottles. Tasted plasticky. I'd seek out the REG, TA or ALE bottles whenever possible.
02-25-16, 08:46 PM
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I'd like to find modern, BPA-free replicas of C&V plastic water bottles, but nobody seems to make them. So I'm stuck to less appealing looking to me, modern bottles that do not relate at all to my C&V bikes.....
Tried to use an NOS bottle made by Cobra, but the plastic stink, and I suspect, the chemicals it leaches out really scared me off....
No replicas exist most likely because of brand logo copyright issues for many brands still around in some form or another. They don't even have to be using the brand name or logo to keep you from using them as long as they have ownership/rights to it.....
Tried to use an NOS bottle made by Cobra, but the plastic stink, and I suspect, the chemicals it leaches out really scared me off....
No replicas exist most likely because of brand logo copyright issues for many brands still around in some form or another. They don't even have to be using the brand name or logo to keep you from using them as long as they have ownership/rights to it.....
02-25-16, 09:07 PM
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I have the same problem, have 2 bidon cages from the 70s - one NOS elcheapo on the Grand Prix and a GC T/A on the International. New bottles just don't fit correctly.
02-25-16, 09:35 PM
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02-26-16, 06:24 AM
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I've found that the 'baby bottle' nipples on the classic bottles, and a lot of current sport bottles, just don't flow enough liquid fast enough. I'm using the Rubbermaid Chug bottles as shown at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...PNSV3SCBCF7WJG
When you flip the cap the hole is about 3/4" across so you can chug a couple of good gulps quickly then reseat the bottle easily. You don't have to squeeze the bottle, just dump the water. The style shown at the link fits all the bottle cages I've got (from various eras) and sits securely.
Rubbermaid has an 'improved design' that does not work as well and the lower end of the bottle is narrower and does not fit bottle cages.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...PNSV3SCBCF7WJG
When you flip the cap the hole is about 3/4" across so you can chug a couple of good gulps quickly then reseat the bottle easily. You don't have to squeeze the bottle, just dump the water. The style shown at the link fits all the bottle cages I've got (from various eras) and sits securely.
Rubbermaid has an 'improved design' that does not work as well and the lower end of the bottle is narrower and does not fit bottle cages.
02-26-16, 06:50 AM
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Specialized made a big deal about their no hands tooth open-able tops, and obviously they convinced everyone it was better since they immediately became dominant. To me the nipple thing wasn't any easier than using a finger or thumb to flip the lid when you went to grab the bottle.
02-26-16, 01:54 PM
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vtchuck-
I use the California Springs 22oz bottle on both my Bertins. They are classic in appearance and highly functional. The cap doesn't leak, the bottle is squeezable to accelerate water flow and easy to clean. I like the neck design as it allows the fingers to grasp the bottle firmly to hook it out of the cage. Mine were ordered from Niagara and the service across the border to Canada was very quick. I now have a stash of them, just in case.
I use the California Springs 22oz bottle on both my Bertins. They are classic in appearance and highly functional. The cap doesn't leak, the bottle is squeezable to accelerate water flow and easy to clean. I like the neck design as it allows the fingers to grasp the bottle firmly to hook it out of the cage. Mine were ordered from Niagara and the service across the border to Canada was very quick. I now have a stash of them, just in case.
02-26-16, 02:05 PM
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Well, an even half-dozen. I like that I was able to link directly to my Paypal to take care of the payment. I'll leave a review here after they've arrived.
DD
Last edited by Drillium Dude; 02-26-16 at 02:11 PM.
02-26-16, 02:13 PM
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Those are nice ... I'm after something similar for my 1980's Koga Miyata ... it has the aero bottle bracket and I'm searching the net for something that will fit (at a reasonable price)
02-26-16, 02:13 PM
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I definitely do not follow C&V when it comes to water bottles.
The new stuff is fine with me, and there is no nostalgia for the old.
Form me, insulated bottles for hot days and even metal insulated Thermos bottles.
On a yearly triathlon, I keep a very cold beer in one, on the bike, until I'm done.
Ice cold incentive, and it's not like I'm going to miss the podium because of it.
I had a Campagnolo aero bottle and if I couldn't really get the outside clean.
The inside was clean and disinfected, just not my style.
Since I ride solo, convenience stores have sort of become my water stops, anyway.
A Tacx round canister serves as a tool bag/GU container most of the time, in my one cage.
As someone who has imbibed from all sorts of canteens and containers all over the world, I no longer tempt my tract, so to speak.
One bout of dysentery, in all of its goodness, was more than enough. Great weight loss program, but not to be repeated.
The new stuff is fine with me, and there is no nostalgia for the old.
Form me, insulated bottles for hot days and even metal insulated Thermos bottles.
On a yearly triathlon, I keep a very cold beer in one, on the bike, until I'm done.
Ice cold incentive, and it's not like I'm going to miss the podium because of it.
I had a Campagnolo aero bottle and if I couldn't really get the outside clean.
The inside was clean and disinfected, just not my style.
Since I ride solo, convenience stores have sort of become my water stops, anyway.
A Tacx round canister serves as a tool bag/GU container most of the time, in my one cage.
As someone who has imbibed from all sorts of canteens and containers all over the world, I no longer tempt my tract, so to speak.
One bout of dysentery, in all of its goodness, was more than enough. Great weight loss program, but not to be repeated.
02-27-16, 06:30 PM
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Yep, had one of those and ended up giving it away.
I found some of the new style insulated in a small size, and I like those. One froze by accident and split open.
I took them on a ride once, and one of the girls said "I like your little bottles."
"Thanks, me too: I'm a leg man." She snorted and sped up.
I found some of the new style insulated in a small size, and I like those. One froze by accident and split open.
I took them on a ride once, and one of the girls said "I like your little bottles."
"Thanks, me too: I'm a leg man." She snorted and sped up.
02-27-16, 07:28 PM
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^Robbie 
I don't know, but call me dribble and leaker.
Last year DD, you gratuitous gave the Clean Bottles w/ logo.
Well, lets just say mine leaked. I'm normally sporting a hydration bladder but it was probably a week later I had the Clean Bottle on another bike. Hot and humid day and figured my sweat was making a bit mess below- LOL. Then noticed was running way low on water. Jeezo! Clean Bottle was cool about it and sent me replacements. Nice folks. Further explained there was a batch of defects. To me it looked like it was in the seam center of the vessel. Anyways, all good now and today I went for a ride sporting '80's C&V 'fanny packn'. That's right, you heard me. Two Clean Bottles in an Ingear fanny pack. haha
I don't know, but call me dribble and leaker.
Last year DD, you gratuitous gave the Clean Bottles w/ logo. Well, lets just say mine leaked. I'm normally sporting a hydration bladder but it was probably a week later I had the Clean Bottle on another bike. Hot and humid day and figured my sweat was making a bit mess below- LOL. Then noticed was running way low on water. Jeezo! Clean Bottle was cool about it and sent me replacements. Nice folks. Further explained there was a batch of defects. To me it looked like it was in the seam center of the vessel. Anyways, all good now and today I went for a ride sporting '80's C&V 'fanny packn'. That's right, you heard me. Two Clean Bottles in an Ingear fanny pack. haha
Last edited by crank_addict; 02-27-16 at 08:07 PM.
03-04-16, 03:07 PM
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vtchuck-
I use the California Springs 22oz bottle on both my Bertins. They are classic in appearance and highly functional. The cap doesn't leak, the bottle is squeezable to accelerate water flow and easy to clean. I like the neck design as it allows the fingers to grasp the bottle firmly to hook it out of the cage. Mine were ordered from Niagara and the service across the border to Canada was very quick. I now have a stash of them, just in case.
I use the California Springs 22oz bottle on both my Bertins. They are classic in appearance and highly functional. The cap doesn't leak, the bottle is squeezable to accelerate water flow and easy to clean. I like the neck design as it allows the fingers to grasp the bottle firmly to hook it out of the cage. Mine were ordered from Niagara and the service across the border to Canada was very quick. I now have a stash of them, just in case.
They sure do look like the real deal from BITD, too. $1.99 per bottle - how can you lose?
Recommended heartily.
DD
03-04-16, 03:23 PM
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bought mine for cheap ...came with the cage aswell and matches my Miyata paint colour:
SPORTS BIKE/FIXIE UNIQUE AERO WATER BOTTLE & CAGE BLUE | eBay
g~~_1.JPG)
SPORTS BIKE/FIXIE UNIQUE AERO WATER BOTTLE & CAGE BLUE | eBay
03-04-16, 05:21 PM
#22
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Agree 100% - I ordered six and got them within a week. I should've ordered an even dozen. They look great, feel great, fit all my various cages perfectly, squeeze well...
They sure do look like the real deal from BITD, too. $1.99 per bottle - how can you lose?
Recommended heartily.
They sure do look like the real deal from BITD, too. $1.99 per bottle - how can you lose?
Recommended heartily.
IIRC, these old type small mouth bottles were used through the 80s and 90s also, not just the 70s, or was that just me?
I've been out of cycling for few years. When did these big mouths get popular anyway? Are the Nalgene compatible? I guess that would make sense.
03-04-16, 05:28 PM
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Thanks for the review. I'll pick up a couple of these some time. Modern wide mouth bottles just look wrong on vintage bikes.
IIRC, these old type small mouth bottles were used through the 80s and 90s also, not just the 70s, or was that just me? I've been out of cycling for few years. When did these big mouths get popular anyway? Are the Nalgene compatible? I guess that would make sense.
IIRC, these old type small mouth bottles were used through the 80s and 90s also, not just the 70s, or was that just me?
I've been out of cycling for few years. When did these big mouths get popular anyway? Are the Nalgene compatible? I guess that would make sense.I remember watching the TDF in 1995 and back then the bottles supplied to the peloton were all sponsored by Coca-Cola. They of course were red/white and of the narrow-mouth variety. I even bought a few of those self-same bottles at Condor Cycles.
I'm not sure exactly when the wide-mouth bottles came about, tho. I just know the old stuff was still getting play in 1995
DD
03-04-16, 05:49 PM
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Agree 100% - I ordered six and got them within a week. I should've ordered an even dozen. They look great, feel great, fit all my various cages perfectly, squeeze well...
They sure do look like the real deal from BITD, too. $1.99 per bottle - how can you lose?
Recommended heartily.
DD
They sure do look like the real deal from BITD, too. $1.99 per bottle - how can you lose?
Recommended heartily.
DD
03-04-16, 06:33 PM
#25
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