Water bottle holders

[mikesbytes]

I'm tired of my alloy water bottle holders scratching/marking the bottles.

Any views on this one?

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/EXBTCNN30.html

[Damian]

A lot of people on bikeforums have complained that the cheaper carbon bottle cages break. Mainly the little tab that holds the bottom of the bottle.

I'm using the $10 cateye plastic bottle cages, and they seem to work great.... but you won't win any style points with em

[mikesbytes]

I'm not overtly concerned about the style police.

Got a link

[weiyun]

The other issue to consider is how secure those plastic ones can hold their bottle. I recently read about a crash at a major race that was caused by a bottle that bounced out. It was over a fast down hill pave course.

[mikesbytes]

Its easy to drop a bottle when you are putting it back in the holder.

[Damian]

I'm not overtly concerned about the style police.

Got a link

http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/274

I know Woolys in Paddington have them, I'm sure they are pretty common.

[Glenno]

Mike,

I've got some carbon bottle holders like the torpedo7 ones (different brand but they look identical). The problem with them is they do not have a lip on them to keep the bottle in. I have lost the odd bottle going over big bumps. So I replaced them.

I also have some very light Serfas carbon ones. These are too flimsy and bend. Becuase they bend its hard to get the bottle in especially when racing.

I also have some Cinelli Ram ones - excellent but relative to the cost of my aluminium taxc ones hard to justify. The cinelli holders are great but they also scratch the botles because they hold them in so tight.

Either of the latter two are great options only becomes a cost consideration

[mikesbytes]

I didn't know that buying water bottle holders was so complex

[weiyun]

I remember one guy who brought his bottle in to trial fit one holder after another ie. They can be bottle specific too. Just like a rider and his bit, fit is numero uno.

[jimmy]

I use the Tacx Tao ones on the Cervelo

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=a1149

While they don't have a lip to hold the bottle in, I haven't had a problem with the bottles coming out unless I want them to.

They grip the bottle very well.

They tend to be pricey in Australia, but only about $15 through PBK.

James

[mikesbytes]

I use the Tacx Tao ones on the Cervelo

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=a1149

While they don't have a lip to hold the bottle in, I haven't had a problem with the bottles coming out unless I want them to.

They grip the bottle very well.

They tend to be pricey in Australia, but only about $15 through PBK.

James

Typical PBK, out of stock.

[geoff m]

I understand that in our club we have quite a few uni undergrads, many graduates, and some studying their doctorate degree and others with PhDs.

We have some good academic capability in the club and probably could convert this discussion thread into a full research thesis.

I'm pretty impressed by the dynamics of the water holders and at the same time overwhelmed by the options. I was thinking of starting a discussion thread on bicycle bells?

First thing about bells is they are part of the Australian Standard and bikes are only legal with a bell. Do you all have them attached?

[mikesbytes]

Do my body pearcing meet the Australian Standard when they rattle?

Think you are also suppose to have rear reflector as well.

Waterbottle requirement;
- Holds bottle
- Holds bottle over pot hole
- Doesn't mark bottle
- Doesn't scratch bottle
- Doesn't break
- Doesn't cost an arm and a leg

[T-Bone]

Generally i believe if a bottle cage is going to work properly, the bottle will eventually scratch. If you don't want the bottles to scratch, the cage probably won't be holding them tight enough, meaning the bottle may bounce out. I use Elite Patao cages, bit heavy, but they hold the bottle well, which is the main thing, and it's easy to get the bottle in and out which is also important. I've used the Tacx Tao's before, and found they broke easily, well mainly when packing the car, so you'd have to be careful, otherwise no problems with them.

I was considering getting some club water bottles made up at one point, so if you're bottles get too scratched up, just pull out a new one. I can investigate it a bit more, so i'll see what the interest level is at the General Meeting.

[mikesbytes]

I'll for go the scratching problem, if I can just get around the marking problem that alloy cages do.

Club water bottles sounds good. I vote for clear ones.

When's the general meeting (can't remember where the post is)

[weiyun]

The other important issue I understand with water bottle and cage is their fit. It's wise to take your bottle with you when shopping for a new cage. Some just don't match well and rattles all the time.

[mikesbytes]

Thats the one benifit that alloy cages have, you just bend them a little until you have the desired tension.

[Simon Llewellyn]

You've just got to watch they don't snap... I've snapped a few in my time, the current cages seem to be a bit stronger, don't know about the super light ones though?