Best water bottle cage?

Mike D.

Mike D.

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I'm looking for a bottle cage to strap on to my bike frame.

Can anybody recommend one that's solid enough to not get shaken loose and can take a 750ml/1l bottle on a square-shaped top tube?
 
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fidlock - attach using big zip ties instead of the supplied straps though. However I dont think they do bigger than 600ml (450ml in pics)

www.fidlock.com

Premium magnetic Accessories • FIDLOCK®

Magnetkraft ist unsere Leidenschaft. Wir gestalten den Moment des Öffnens und Schließens als Erlebnis.
www.fidlock.com www.fidlock.com

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Screenshot 2022-08-08 at 21.12.41.png
 
flash said:
Yep. Fidlock all the way. The new bottles also have a cap to keep them clean, which is so nice.

Gordon
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Does it strap on to the bike? All the pics I've seen show a screw-on frame mount.
 
Tim1023 said:
Damn that looks spotless for a three year old bike!
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Ha - I think that picture is from 2019 or 20, was just trying to find a pic of it to show the fidlock mount - not so spotless now
 
Went for the SKS "Topcage Anywhere".

Pics show the most ergonomic/efficient position on my 2019 Vitus e-sommet.

Keeps away from the rear shock adjusters and valve, gives about two centimetres leg pedalling clearance. Angled rubber "feet" keeps the whole thing nice and tight against the square-shaped tube. Placement on the right side keeps it clear of sideways battery removal.

Downside compromises: reduced impact but still possible family jewels tickle if I suddenly come forward off the saddle and there's also some slightly awkward standover discomfort, but that's still better than having it on top of the tube.

This all to get some weight off my spine (deformed from a major riding accident back in 2013) as I carry a spare battery for long rides up and down actual mountains. I'll have to get used to water intake discipline because I'm used to a water bladder but hey - I just need to stay hydrated - not drowned, right? 😜😃
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Fidlock do an 800ml bottle, got one on my bike which was definitely needed yesterday in the heat!
 
Another vote for Fidlock from me. I have them on all my bikes and have 450ml, 600ml and 800ml bottles (which I use depending on conditions) and a tool bottle thing on my gravel bike. Note that the bigger bottles won't fit on some bikes, I can only get the 450 on my Orbea Rallon. They are by far and away the best water bottle carrying solution that I've ever tried though, so easy to use and yet totally secure.
 
Jurassic said:
Another vote for Fidlock from me. I have them on all my bikes and have 450ml, 600ml and 800ml bottles (which I use depending on conditions) and a tool bottle thing on my gravel bike. Note that the bigger bottles won't fit on some bikes, I can only get the 450 on my Orbea Rallon. They are by far and away the best water bottle carrying solution that I've ever tried though, so easy to use and yet totally secure.
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But without straps, just a screw-in base. No good to me.
 
Mike D. said:
But without straps, just a screw-in base. No good to me.
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Look at my pictures I posted earlier , on both bikes its the strap on base, but I have swapped the stock straps for industrial zip ties. Highlighted here in red. Also in my initial post I linked to the strap on base!

Screenshot 2022-08-08 at 21.12.41.png
 
Ah ha. So you did. Missed that. I can see why you used zip ties. I had a rear-view mirror once on my trad road bike with that sort of strap which I think just wouldn't be strong enough for holding a bottle full of water whilst offroading, as no doubt you discovered. Handy though the Fidlock holder itself may be instead of a more traditional type, I much prefer the SKS binding over ziptie-ing for my Vitus top tube.

If I have to pull the trigger on the SKS though, the Fidlock will be my next stop.
 
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The stock fidlock strap is a very good bit of kit, and holds the bottle fine, but as I was going to leave the mount on permanently I used the zip ties as looked a lot cleaner
 
Have you considered a Camelbak/similar? I abandoned water bottle use over 8 years ago swapping to the backpack water reservoir and couldn't see me swapping back anytime in the near (or distant) future.
 
mcboab said:
Have you considered a Camelbak/similar? I abandoned water bottle use over 8 years ago swapping to the backpack water reservoir and couldn't see me swapping back anytime in the near (or distant) future.
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As I said:

"This all to get some weight off my spine (deformed from a major riding accident back in 2013) as I carry a spare battery for long rides up and down actual mountains."
 
Mike D. said:
As I said:

"This all to get some weight off my spine (deformed from a major riding accident back in 2013) as I carry a spare battery for long rides up and down actual mountains."
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Oops missed that vital snippet. As an aside my 1.5l camelback weighs 1.5Kg with 1l of water onboard. with the weight taken by my shoulders.
 
mcboab said:
Oops missed that vital snippet. As an aside my 1.5l camelback weighs 1.5Kg with 1l of water onboard. with the weight taken by my shoulders.
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Yeah bladders are really good I've used them myself for years but now it needs a different approach.
An 800ml bottle means water intake discipline but that's OK to just stay hydrated, rather than gulping loads of liquid most of which just gets passed through...
 
as there is so little space on a fs bike I use this:
www.ebay.co.uk

Bike Bicycle Water Bottle Holder Bag Handlebar Cup Drink Holder Stem Bag | eBay UK

Attaches to the bike handlebar and stem, the top closure can be opened/closed quickly with one hand, our bike water bottle holder bag allows you access to water bottle, snacks, base layers, phone etc very quickly and easily.
www.ebay.co.uk
works well for me - holds my steel bottle quite well even on the rough.

Photo on the listing shows a phone in the pocket, no space for that other than a medium cereal bar once my bottle is in.
 
Bummers said:
What travel is on that bike, 300mm?!

Looks like a Motorcross bike with that mudguard.

How's your standover height with that water bottle attached?
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170 front 160 back.

Get a lot of stone upchuck here, hence the "'cross" guard.

Yeah a hangover is compromised. I just make sure the saddle is down for an easy dismount when I stop.
 
I’d lose the ‘cross’ guard and use the fid lock system as howz shown above.

Kills two birds with one stone. Gets the water out the way and good excuse to lose the ‘cross’ guard 👀

That massive water bottle will surely protect the down tube more than the ‘mudguard’ anyway?
 
Jimbo Vills said:
I’d lose the ‘cross’ guard and use the fid lock system as howz shown above.

Kills two birds with one stone. Gets the water out the way and good excuse to lose the ‘cross’ guard 👀

That massive water bottle will surely protect the down tube more than the ‘mudguard’ anyway?
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Well I'm sure you would. Why would I want to lose the guard?
Personally, I think hanging a stainless steel insulated bottle directly in line of fire is a pretty dumb thing to do but hey. Whatever.
 
Mike D. said:
Well I'm sure you would. Why would I want to lose the guard?
Personally, I think hanging a stainless steel insulated bottle directly in line of fire is a pretty dumb thing to do but hey. Whatever.
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Pretty sure the fid lock is plastic but hey. whatever.

All the best in your quest for suitable hydration 👍🏻
 
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