It’s probably well past time to get some new bottle cages. My current one is a specialized, forget the model but they called it a mountain cage when I bought it 10 years ago. BTS and seat tube seem to work fine but it’s become an almost daily occurrence to eject or almost eject my BTA.
I want something that’s strong and cheap. Deal hunting but so many choices on Amazon it’s almost impossible to sort it out.
specialized ribcage.
I’ve had terrible luck with Specialized Ribcages, they were frequently brought back to the shop I worked at for snapping in one spot.
But LOVE the Zee cage. Use as a BTA, and both cages on my mtb.
I’ve had terrible luck with Specialized Ribcages, they were frequently brought back to the shop I worked at for snapping in one spot.
But LOVE the Zee cage. Use as a BTA, and both cages on my mtb.
No problem with Ribcages for me. Maybe I’m just lucky? I especially like the SWAT multi-tool attachment option.
me either. I have 4 of them for the tri bike. (2 BTS, 1 BTA that I’m no longer using, and 1 seattube for training). never had a problem.
I think that Tacx Ciro or Diva can’t be beat. They are rock solid w/ firm grip, come in a ton of colors, are light, and are ~$15
It’s probably well past time to get some new bottle cages. My current one is a specialized, forget the model but they called it a mountain cage when I bought it 10 years ago. BTS and seat tube seem to work fine but it’s become an almost daily occurrence to eject or almost eject my BTA.
I want something that’s strong and cheap. Deal hunting but so many choices on Amazon it’s almost impossible to sort it out.
If you want an Amazon cage the best thing to do is buy a Xlab Cage like the Gorilla. They are pricey but very good and secure. If you have a local Trek store you may be able to get a Trek Bat Cage which is a very nice blown plastic cage that is tough and inexpensive, although probably not as inexpensive as when I first started using them in the 2000s. Sadly I haven’t bought a Bat Cage in years so I hope quality is still the same.
Being a previous shop owner, and having test a huge number of different cages, Arundel makes the absolute best cage on the market. You will never loose a bottle with one of their cages, even in the behind the seat holders. They make several versions, all fantastic. Here is there price point model- lots of color options:
https://www.amazon.com/arundel-Sport-Water-Bottle-Black/dp/B006M4IM8A/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1YMYDAFVHG710&dchild=1&keywords=arundel+bottle+cage&qid=1583187116&sprefix=Arunde%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-5
specialized rib cage can’t be beat for the money.
Profile Design Kage for the win. Cheap, and crazy secure-- has an elastic band built in.
It’s probably well past time to get some new bottle cages. My current one is a specialized, forget the model but they called it a mountain cage when I bought it 10 years ago. BTS and seat tube seem to work fine but it’s become an almost daily occurrence to eject or almost eject my BTA.
I want something that’s strong and cheap. Deal hunting but so many choices on Amazon it’s almost impossible to sort it out.
Also forgot to mention, if you want a really cheap hack, get a bungee-style hair elastic and loop it over the end.
I went back to the antique aluminum cages from the last century. I can squeeze them, and make them as tight as I want, and no more bottle launching. Sometimes modern stuff isn’t always better.
Bontrager Bat Cage
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I’ve had terrible luck with Specialized Ribcages, they were frequently brought back to the shop I worked at for snapping in one spot.
But LOVE the Zee cage. Use as a BTA, and both cages on my mtb.
I have never had a problem with my Rib cages and I have beat the hell out of them. In one case I had to cut one off because they screw holding the cage got stripped (bad screw and not the cage) and the cage was a beast to cut through.
If you want an Amazon cage the best thing to do is buy a Xlab Cage like the Gorilla. They are pricey but very good and secure. If you have a local Trek store you may be able to get a Trek Bat Cage which is a very nice blown plastic cage that is tough and inexpensive, although probably not as inexpensive as when I first started using them in the 2000s. Sadly I haven’t bought a Bat Cage in years so I hope quality is still the same.
I second this… the Gorilla I recommend for BTA and the Gorilla XT for BTS. I forget what the grip strength is off the top of my head, but the xt is more than the non xt gorilla.
Beyond that a bottle with a great ridge is a helper here… I launched a *garbage design Camelback with the twisted ridges on a rough road yesterday out of my XT.
Being a previous shop owner, and having test a huge number of different cages, Arundel makes the absolute best cage on the market. You will never loose a bottle with one of their cages, even in the behind the seat holders. They make several versions, all fantastic. Here is there price point model- lots of color options:
https://www.amazon.com/...aps%2C228&sr=8-5
I love these cages on my road bike, but they were horrendous BTS. The only way I was able to keep BTS bottle in these was with a supplemental rubberbands or velcro.
+1 for old school aluminum cages, the only potential flaw is that on-course bottles may not fit well, but I just keep those in my BTA.
I went back to the antique aluminum cages from the last century. I can squeeze them, and make them as tight as I want, and no more bottle launching. Sometimes modern stuff isn’t always better.
This is what I use for gravel… crank them down a little so they grip the bottles tight, never lost a bottle even on some pretty rough descents.
I use these guys - rock solid, cheap, zero bottles lost, can squeeze them or pull them open of needed, look good.
I like the Serfas NC-150 nylon water bottle cages. They wrap all the way around the bottle and hold it tightly. They are also very cheap.
https://www.serfas.com/shop/products/cages/nc-150-nylon-cage/