I realize that the 100 has an alloy mount and composite bottle cage vs carbon for both on the 400 (overall weight saving of 26 grams). The 26 grams is not enough for me to spend an extra $50. What would sell me is if quality is a lot better on the 400. I have used various bottle cages, some aluminum, some composite, some super flimsy plastic, and some carbon. I have had some really nice composite cages that were not heavy and were quite strong, I have had others that snapped if a bottle was put in with much force. I have never had a carbon cage snap, but I have had some that didn’t seem to “grab” my bottle well which led to launched bottles.
To sum up my question, is there a large quality difference between the two set-ups? Is the 100 composite cage flimsy? I don’t want to break it with regular use. Is the 400 carbon cage solid, and does it grip the bottle well?
Which of the two would you prefer?
I’m guessing not many have tried both so can not compare?
Can others just overall discuss the quality and grip of the cages?
Money no object-400
Money considered-400
However, given that, I just bought the 100 and am loving it so far. Not flimsy. Thar whole bottle and cage system rotates a bit more than say, the PD HC, because the torpedo has a Velcro strap system vs the PDs plastic mounting bracket. Holds the bottle very smug. Easy to set up.
I jumped for the 400, the price difference here was less than the cost of replacing the cage if I wanted to replace the composite cage with carbon, and I really like the xlab carbon cages.
To help avoid the rotation and increase the sturdiness of the mount you want to make sure the straps are super tight…as tight as you can get it.
Others can respond based off their own experiences, but we have heard that the 400 is easier to tuck the straw under the dolphin tail vs the 100 and this is due to the width of the arms.
Warranty is different too. The carbon cages & the carbon mounting plate comes with a limited lifetime warranty whereas the composite cage has a 1 year warranty and the aluminum plate has a 2 year warranty.
I have and like the 400. Cage is solid. I ride some pretty bumpy roads and the bottle isn’t going anywhere (I had some launching problems on the same roads with the PD Aero HC, though they claim to have fixed that). Like Candice said, if you take the time to get the straps nice and tight, there’s very little movement, no significant vibration that makes a front-mounted computer hard to see (Edge 500 in my case).
In short, it’s the first BTA system that hasn’t left me looking for what else is out there. I’m very satisfied.
Yeah, I’ve got it pretty tight and I’m pretty sure that it’ll be fine. Thanks nonetheless.
I have used the 100 in one 70.3 race and about 8 hours’ training ride prior to the race. Here are what I have to share:
- The 100’s problem of “not as easy to tuck the straw under the dolphin tail” can be easily solved by applying a bit of Body Glide (wax) underneath the dolphin tail.
- The bottle DOES bump off the plastic cage on rough road. Believe me I had it properly installed by following Xlab’s detailed instruction video on YouTube - yes, I made sure the groove on the bottom of the water bottle was tucked into the screw on the mounting are. There is a section on my training route where it’s guaranteed the bottle WILL bump off the cage every single time. I tested it at least 4 times. The way I see it, the plastic cage on the 100 system has a very weak force in holding the bottle. I never used a carbon torpedo cage. But I have used a Gorilla XT on my saddle. In terms of material quality and force, the plastic cage on the 100 looks like a toy compare to the gorilla cage. So I THINK the 400 cage should not have the problem I holding the bottle securely. But I am not sure.
- That said, I solved the 100’s problem of a weak cage by using a Velcro to tie together the cage and the bottle. It never bumps off, ever! It costs me 40 cents to get the velcro in Taiwan
- There is another annoying problem with the 100. Even with the tie-down of the velcro, it stills makes annoying sound of plastic rattling. I have confirmed the rattling sound comes from the top triangle joint of the plastic cage hitting the water bottle. Don’t underestimate such nuance. With a long ride, while the humming sound of your high-rim wheels pumps you up, such plastic rattling can drive you crazy. At least that’s how I feel.
So, Candice, with such feedbacks, would you answer a question for me? if I replace the plastic cage on my system 100 with a carbon torpedo cage, will it become equivalent to a system 400? If not, what are the other differences?
Thanks for finding this thread. I am in the process of deciding which one to go for and looks like I might get the 400 now.
I have the 400 and it is a bitch to get the bottle out of the cage. And that’s something I’m glad for on bumpy roads.
I have the 400 and it is a bitch to get the bottle out of the cage. And that’s something I’m glad for on bumpy roads.
How easy is it to refill during a ride?
I have the 400 and it is a bitch to get the bottle out of the cage. And that’s something I’m glad for on bumpy roads.
How easy is it to refill during a ride?
Super duper easy. No problem whatsoever.
I have the 400 and it is a bitch to get the bottle out of the cage. And that’s something I’m glad for on bumpy roads.
How easy is it to refill during a ride?
Super duper easy. No problem whatsoever.
Last question…for now. Which lid do you use and does it splash much while riding out of the lid?
I have the 400 and only use the bottle. I use a bontrager bta bracket and holder with zip ties. The noise, movement and overall bulk of the torpedo bracket drove me nuts.
I have the 400 and it is a bitch to get the bottle out of the cage. And that’s something I’m glad for on bumpy roads.
How easy is it to refill during a ride?
Super duper easy. No problem whatsoever.
Last question…for now. Which lid do you use and does it splash much while riding out of the lid?
I use the clear/solid lid. Easy to pop back into place by pressing down in the middle with your thumb.
I have the 400 and only use the bottle. I use a bontrager bta bracket and holder with zip ties. The noise, movement and overall bulk of the torpedo bracket drove me nuts.
I might check that out. I’m not a fan of 4 velcro straps, making 8 cuts through the air. That’s a lot of drag that’s not necessary.
Hi tribeelchf,
Thanks for the amazing feedback on the systems!
- Good idea on the Body Glide. Will have to test that one myself!
- We pull tested those cages at 5lbs which was equivalent to the carbon Torpedo cage. I will call for another pull test to be done and see if there are any more enhancements we can do on preventing it from coming out.
On your #4, I hadn’t noticed the rattling from the triangle point before, I will look at this internally and see if I can duplicate this.
The other main difference between the 100 vs 400 other than the cage, is the material on the mount. The 100 has the Alloy plate, the 400 has a carbon fiber plate, so you are looking at roughly a 17 gram difference in weight. Two other small differences in the systems are the color of the bite valve and color of the aero spacers. Red & Magenta offerings for the 400 systems, 100 has black spacers and a clear bite valve.
As texafornia mentioned the clear, solid lid is super easy to open and close. The black, open lid obviously takes the least amount of effort to refill, but you will experience a slight splash effect as it remains open the whole race. Liquid generally pools on the top and as you go over a bump it will come out. It won’t be a shower, more of a sprinkle