Tony_G

Costco is selling a two pack of 28 oz Reduce COLD-1 general purpose stainless steel vacuum water bottles for $16.99.

They are slightly oversize for bike holders, but they will fit into my plastic bike water bottle holders.

You don't have to be a Costco member to order them from the Costco website, but you will pay for shipping (free for members) and you will pay a non-member fee (I've been a member for a year, but if I recall correctly, the non-member fee is 2%). They are also available in Costco warehouses.

https://www.costco.com/Reduce-COLD-1...100340745.html

I jumped on them as I am tired of drinking warm water on hot days.

Some info not on the Costco website:

Dimensions:
Circumference of the Reduce bottle is about 9.5 inches, compared to about 9 inches for my $5 Wal-Mart bike water bottle.

Height of the Reduce bottle is about 11 inches compared to 9 inches (counting the nipple) for the Wal-Mart bike water bottle.

Empty weight of the Reduce bottle is 393 grams versus 99 grams for the Wal-Mart plastic bottle, so the weight might be the worst drawback.

The other problem is that while these bottles look great, the satin finish is easily scratched (I found out when the edge of the metal cap on one bottle rubbed against the side of the other bottle). If you have metal bottle holders, they may not fit at all, or they may get scratched each time you use them. If this is a problem, you might be able to add some felt tape to the inside of the bottle holder.

Falchoon

I reckon you would be better off with a conventional type plastic insulated water bottle such as Camelbak Podium Chill

https://www.probikekit.com/cycling-a.../11232635.html (750ml)

https://www.probikekit.com/cycling-a.../11232624.html (610ml)

The stainless steel bottle as you mentioned doesn't fit your cage properly, and could also be slippery especially if you are hot and sweaty and risk getting dropped on the ground and going under your wheel (or someone elses) causing a crash.

The Podium Chill looks to be cheaper than the SS bottle too, though you will need to pay freight (if you look around you may find another place selling them offering cheaper/free freight)

WheresWaldo

Just an FYI almost every LBS in the US worth anything sells the Podium Chill bottles, eliminates all the drawbacks of using a metal bottle. One thing I started doing was to take a couple of bottles the night before a ride on a hot day and fill them about 1/3 of the way with water, then lay them at a severe angle in the freezer, fill them before your ride with cold water and they will stay cold longer and stay cool a lot longer.

drewguy

Yes, or just fill with ice cubes before heading out - the wide mouth makes that easy.

Tony_G

I stop to drink, so dropping the bottle is not a factor for me. Nor do I ride in groups, at least not yet.

As mentioned in the original post, you get two of the steel bottles for $17 so they are a lot cheaper per bottle than the Poduim. They will also maintain coldness a lot longer than the Poduim bottles.

That said, I'm sure they (the stainless steel bottles) aren't for everyone.

It's odd that the Podium didn't turn up when I was searching Google for an insulated bottle. Nothing I found via Google looked like a good product for a good price. I was already thinking along DIY lines, like buying and then cutting up can cozies so I wouldn't have to drink warm water on long rides. I had already tried starting out with 90% ice with 10% water and it wasn't working. Then the vacuum bottles popped up at Costco and they are working great for me. Your Mileage Will Vary, apparently.

wschruba

If you aren't worried about a tight fit (that is, getting the bottle easily out of the holder), Stanley makes a vacuum mug that fits in almost any bottle cage.

It does a good job keeping the temperature of whatever you put in it.

Tony_G

Nice but a little pricey. I see it for $21 on Amazon. The 16oz capacity would be the worst feature for me. In hot weather I sweat bullets and I drink up water like I'm made of a dry sponge. I'd run dry even if I carried two of them.

bobwysiwyg

Looks like a good winter ride, coffee option though.

2_i 

A good insulated sports bottle has an insulated cap and allows for one-hand operation, such as this one or many other Thermos bottles. The Costco bottles are not a good choice.

Tony_G

The Costco bottles are a good choice for me.

2manybikes

Ice cubes in the metal bottles make a jingling sound.

Tony_G

They do indeed. However, I have found with vacuum insulation, I don't need any ice at all. Just start with cold water out of the refrigerator and the water stays cold all day.

79pmooney

I don't use insulated bottles and won't for one simple reason: the cold water (or whatever). I need a of fluids on hot days. I also find warm fluids don't quench my thirst like cold ones do, so I have to drink again soon. And again. I might even drink enough to stay hydrated. I can drink half a standard WB of warm fluids in one swig. And those warm fluids (if chosen wisely) are absorbed quickly in my stomach.

Then there is the fact that uninsulated bottles hold a lot more. I need that.

Ben

bobwysiwyg

I've acquired a pair of these. Unfortunately, they are too wide for my holders. What bottle holders do you have?

Tony_G

I have the cheap plastic ones from Wal-Mart. The bottle and holder came together for about $5. I have one mounted on the seat tube (the frame, not actual seat post) and one mounted hanging on the underside of the top tube. That one seemed a little precarious with the extra weight and length of the Costco bottle, so I put a mini-bungee cord around it to help hold it in. I hit a lot of rough pavement bumps and it has never fallen out of the holder.

dmanthree

Try this: take one bottle and freeze it the night before. Use ice and water in the other one. By the time you finish the first bottle the second one is mostly melted and still cold.

magnascott

Try using the Velo Orange Mojave Cage. It will hold a standard Nalgene or a 32oz insulted Klean Kanteen or a 32oz insulted GSI Microlite.

ScoScott

In the summer, what makes me very happy is that I can bring a water bottle filled with iced beverages to the door. Even in hot weather, the drink in the hydro flask vacuum insulated water bottle was able to maintain a lower temperature, and it saved me after a long trip.

CliffordK

I use more hot liquids than cold liquids, especially this time of year.

The plastic bottles just do a mediocre job.

I've had quite good luck with couple of different models of Contigo bottles. Most of them have a taper that works well with the bottle holders. Tight, but generally fit, although perhaps better and quieter with plastic cages.

canklecat

I have the same model Reduce Cold-1 the OP mentioned in 2017. It's great. Got it for only $5 or so at Kroger on blowout, wish I'd bought the other two they had.

Yep, it's heavy. But it's been a pleasure on long rides on the hottest and coldest days. Drinks will stay ice cold or hot for up to 12 hours. On my 30 lb hybrid I don't even notice the weight, and it doesn't feel like it adds much weight on my steel road bike.

There's no plastic insulated bottle from Polar or Camelbak that will keep drinks cold for more than a couple of hours in Texas summer. I usually freeze one completely with electrolytes premixed and save it as my second bottle. Usually it's thawed enough to drink by the time my first bottle is gone. But after a couple of hours even the second bottle is getting warm. And they aren't suitable for hot drinks on winter rides.

For summer rides I'll use a Camelbak lid/drinking spout on the insulated steel bottle. Can't squeeze it, of course, but I can still drink through the Camelbak lid. In winter with hot drinks I use the original lid and just stop when I want a drink of hot tea or coffee.

Seattle Forrest

Not suitable on the bike, but great to have waiting for you when you get back to your car.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PLCZ253..._WZlXDbRZD7RM0