Water Bottle and Cages

[Glory]

I hate to ask a question that has already been answered but I have searched for an hour and still can't find the thread I'm looking for =\

I am looking for a newbie bottle cage, one that I can possibly at some point remove and replace the bottle without any major mishaps =) I bookmarked this bottle cage, but I would appreciate any input before I buy something that is hard to use. Also, any suggestions for bottles would be great too!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-accessories/2011-tacx-tao-water-bottle-cage-807.49.1.html

[pumpkinpony]

My bikes just have boring cages like this
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-accessories/2011-king-cage-stainless-water-bottle-cage-4243.1964.0.html

As for water bottles, I like the insulated Polar bottles (http://www.amazon.com/Polar-24oz-Thermal-Insulated-Bottle/dp/B003RLDCUO/ref=sr_1_13?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1299209112&sr=1-13). They won't fit on my mountain bike frame though, so I use the small thin plastic freebies from the bike store on it.

[zoom-zoom]

These are my favorite: Elite Custom (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=elite+custom+bottle+cages&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=elite+custom+bottle+cages&hl=en&newwindow=1&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=xmVwTf-NN8fegQecrLGXDg&ved=0CD4QrQQ&biw=1550&bih=940&bav=on.2,or.&fp=70a634ef72e5000e). I tried the Tacx and didn't like them. One of the ones I ordered was bent...which said to me that a fall could destroy them, since there was no way to get the bottle in unless they are perfectly round.

Those Elite Custom ones are awesome. I have yet to have an issue getting a bottle in the cage. Prior to those I had those cheapy wire kind...total nightmare. I was forever dropping bottles.

My favorite bottles are the Camelbak Podium bottles.

[ny biker]

I've used the Polar bottles for years, but due to the angle of the top tube on my new bike I had to find a shorter bottle. So now I use Camelback Podium bottles which are also insulated.

[marni]

Since my bike came with 2 bottle cages, I just use those. I do prefer to get a wide mouthed bottle so you can get ice in it. I just use the freebies that come with ride swag bags as long as they hold 22-24 oz. They get grotty and dirty out on the road so I keep four of them in circulation. 1 in the freezer with plain water being frozen for the next ride, 1 of plain water on my bike, one of electrolyte on my bike and one being cleaned with denture cleaner.

I have found that the insulated bottles are a waste of time around here, the stuff still gets warm. Even a fully frozen bottle only lasts about 10 miles before it is thawed although still cool. Gotta love the heat and humidity around here.

[DarcyInOregon]

My bikes just have boring cages like this
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-accessories/2011-king-cage-stainless-water-bottle-cage-4243.1964.0.html

As for water bottles, I like the insulated Polar bottles (http://www.amazon.com/Polar-24oz-Thermal-Insulated-Bottle/dp/B003RLDCUO/ref=sr_1_13?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1299209112&sr=1-13). They won't fit on my mountain bike frame though, so I use the small thin plastic freebies from the bike store on it.

I use the same kind of bottle cage as pumpkinpony, except I got them from Purely in a color to match my bike. Here is the link: http://www.purelycustom.com/p-24-aluminum-bottle-cages.aspx

This type of cage is easier for me to get the bottle in and out of while I am in motion. I use the Polar insulated bottles also.

[Eden]

I tried Tacx Tao cages... they don't work at all on my small frame... too much clearance needed to get the bottles in and out.

I have these http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1024942_-1___ on my race bike and plain old wire ones on all my other bikes.

[HillSlugger]

I like the Tacx Tao and had them on two bikes.

[Glory]

I use the same kind of bottle cage as pumpkinpony, except I got them from Purely in a color to match my bike. Here is the link: http://www.purelycustom.com/p-24-aluminum-bottle-cages.aspx

This type of cage is easier for me to get the bottle in and out of while I am in motion. I use the Polar insulated bottles also.

Those bottle cages are soo awesome! Thanks for posting the link.

[Glory]

I bought these after losing a bottle on a huge group ride when we went over rail-road tracks. I use the larger-sized Polar bottles:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Button-Bicycle-Waterbottle/dp/B000C17K5K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1299238991&sr=8-2

The bracket encircles the bottles much higher up. Haven't had any problems since.

Which was my next question :) Are the larger bottles easier to use? I'm looking at the 24 oz bottle and it says possibly a difficult fit with smaller frames?

[ciao_bella]

I like the Polar insulated water bottles also. They do come in two sizes, the 24 oz is longer, and the 20oz is shorter. I use the 20oz size because it fits better with my frame.

There are also "side loading" bottle cages that can be used with a shorter frame space. I have one made by Specialized, but other companies make them also.

For example:
http://www.arundelbike.com/sideloader.html?p=1.1.1.4

and

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/zee-side-load-bottle-cage-right-ec027063

and

http://bicyclehabitat.com/product/specialized-zee-cage-alloy-77552-1.htm

Ciao

[dianne_1234]

I like plastic cages - aluminum cages leave black aluminum oxide on the bottles.