Side entry water bottle cages?

[Tokie]

Has anyone tried side entry water bottle cages? Any recommendations? I have a small frame, and have heard that they will make it easier to insert and remove my water bottles. Thanks! tokie

[crazycanuck]

I have one on my mtn bike & find it easier to use a hydration pack. Main reason is the bottle doesn't stay in & it's too hard to reach when paying attention to the trail!

I don't know why i've not removed it..

[alpinerabbit]

Have one on the mtb and find it iffy and it does seem the bottle slips out easily. It's from Elite if you care to know.

I had to settle for one "regular" cage only on my small road frame (would that be a center entry? center load?) - I would not want to send projectiles flying on a road ride.

[JaneE]

Hmmm...I'm also having an issue with fitting two water bottles on my (small) road frame. My LBS was going to order some side-loading cages for me but if they don't hang onto the bottles reliably then what's the point of them?

Maybe I'll just stick to two really small water bottles instead.

[Steph_in_TX]

I had to put one side loader on my newer road bike. I have been pleased with it. It's still holding tightly after almost two years.

http://www.arundelbike.com/sideloader.html?p=1.1.1.3

[Tokie]

Thanks Steph! I am looking for the cages for my road bike. The fellow who did my bike fit yesterday told me his side loading cages have been really great, but I forgot the brand. I e-mailed him last night, so maybe he'll get back to me before he goes to Interbike! By the way, I called Arundel about their "white" carbon water bottle cages - I've seen one at a bike store, and it looked so cool. They have been discontinued, too many of them broke during manufacture, making them too expensive to produce. They were very very cool looking. Tokie