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Looking for a decent, mountain bike-friendly, water bottle with a cover over the bite valve to protect against contamination from trail mud, grit, cow muck etc.
I see Elite does a lightweight one - not sure about that for mountain biking, also Nukeproof. Any thoughts, recommendations welcome.
Thanks!
Camelbak podium dirt.
The camelback podium dirt one is ok. You still need to squeeze until your mouth once you've popped the cap off.
Tried something like the elite ones (forget the brand), and muck just gets under the cap as it's not that close fitting, .
I use Elite Fly Mtb. Does the job, all good.
Camelbak podium dirt
or make the switch to Fidlock
The elite fly/ nukeproof bottle (same thing) is rubbish. As in lasts a handful of rides then it's broken and in the bin. For the brief lifespan before getting binned, it offer minimal mud protection. The mud still ends up going under the cap, almost sucked under there somehow via pressure difference as a special design feature.
For the same effect, just get a regular bottle, drop it in a muddy puddle, then go for a ride.
I use the Decathlon ones with a flip lid, does a decent enough job of keeping the crap off. Cheap and available in different sizes too.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/sport-bottle-650-ml/_/R-p-325078?mc=8585256&c=BLACK
Fidlock user here.
I bought the big elite fly mtb a couple of years or so ago. I was a bit dismayed when it turned up as the body of the bottle was very lightweight and I thought it would just abrade itself to the point where it wouldn't hold water anymore.
Anyway, I still use it every ride(couple or 3 times a week), it looks a bit rough but works fine. Haven't had Yak's experience with the spout cap, its been fine.
Just light XC, no gnarr if that makes any difference
+1 for the Fidlock
"I see Elite does a lightweight one – not sure about that for mountain biking"
The MTB version of the Fly works just fine for me.
Either fidlock or the podium dirt cap which if you have multiple camelbak bottle you can switch and swap the lids depending on the size etc drink you want, short ride the small bottle, hot ride then the chill bottle so it stays cool for longer.
What fidlock bottle are you guys talking about?
I've got a fancy fidlock bottle that came as an expensive upgrade to my YT, but it doesn't have any special mud protection, just a magnetic latch (which is admittedly nice).
Fidlock as above
Ah, that does look like a good cap 🙂
I use the Decathlon ones with a flip lid, does a decent enough job of keeping the crap off. Cheap and available in different sizes too.
I'm a happy decathlon bottle user too.
Ah, that does look like a good cap
It works well to keep the crud out but is maybe a little bit brittle (mine has cracked).
Another happy decathlon user. Had mine a good few years. It does feel a bit flimsy but it has lasted well.
I had the nukeproof one, worked well, but very fragile cap
Fidlock one doesn't seem solid, but has lasted better
I like the Camelbak Podum best, I think.
@golfchick Does that podium mud cap fit on some of the older podium models too? We have a cupboard full of them and that would be ideal if it does?
I see Elite does a lightweight one – not sure about that for mountain biking, also Nukeproof
The Nukeproof one is actually an Elite Fly - even says Elite on the bottom. Oddly usually more expensive though
@ahsat just move the whole lid/cap on to the different bottles, the threads are the same! That's what i do with all of my bottles.
Ahha - good thinking! Ok awesome, thanks. Will order a couple from Wiggle and see how they go (don't need whole new bottles!)
I have had the bike proof one for a year.
The top broke after an month which was disappointing. I have the top held onto the bottle with some fishing line through holes drilled where the cap use to be attached.
Every time I've been to decathlon to buy their version, they've been sold out.
Ta for all the input. I've never been a huge Podium fan. I found the valves on the earlier ones a pig to clean properly, though I understand that the design has changed. I think I'll maybe spring for an updated cap and protector thing and see how that goes.
The Fidlock stuff looks interesting, but not ideal if you want to use the same bottles across more than one bike, at which point it's looking expensive / fiddly.
I bought some isostar ones which have a cap on them from Amazon
like this one
I’ve got the Fidlock one and it’s nice to use. Haven’t lost it yet when rattling down stuff on the hardtail. I’d buy again in an instant.
I find these quite good, but I have a feeling they might be discontinued.
Just bought a Nukeproof one from Wiggle
Podium Dirt isn't available in clear (and only in 620ml), so you can't see how much drink you have left. Buy a clear one and the cap separately.
If you're anticipating getting the bottle plastered though (or risk of animal crap), Dawn To Dusk Dirt Mask (fits the newer type Podiums):
You can buy a podium mud cap for £5 and put it on any podium bottle. That way you can get the higher capacity one in a clear colour.
Tried a couple of Podiums but the cap fell off both of them so moved to Fidlock which I am very happy with.
I bought a Podium, terrible fit in my Bontrager bottle cages - it's not going to stay in off road, who the hell thought that was a good shape? - have swapped the lid onto an older clear Podium bottle which is a more secure fit. I might glue the mud-cap anchoring ring in place for added security.
BadlyWiredDog
Full MemberI bought a Podium, terrible fit in my Bontrager bottle cages – it’s not going to stay in off road, who the hell thought that was a good shape?
I've never got as far as off road, mine have threatened to abondon ship (using standard Elite cages) on the road bike! Think the latest shape might be better? Not going to bother trying though
Have never lost a podium bottle off-road yet (only time we’ve lost them is once off p20s road bike with the original styled Rapha ones). Fit is particularly good in King cages.
Got the podium caps this week. Not the prettiest thing a black cap on a blue bottle; but so far fine on my canal commute. Will try on the mtb at the weekend.
The Decathlon ones linked above work well enough for me.
The decathlon lids eventually fail but recently seen that the dirt caps cap be bought separately from the store, £1.50ish.
The camelback mud cap fits on planet X bottles and they're cheap as chips.
Fit is particularly good in King cages
Which shape though? There have been at least 3. First was good, middle didn't want to be tied down to a relationship, new....?
Which shape though? There have been at least 3. First was good, middle didn’t want to be tied down to a relationship, new….?
The middle Podium shape if that's what you are referring to?
- First gen Rapha podiums only go on road with some Blackburn cages and have fallen out once down a very steep hill.
- Second gen podiums used all the time on gravel and mtb, in both Blackburn and current gen King Cages (normal shaped ones!) and fit particularly well in the King Cage (so much so I am in the process of swapping all my cages!)
- Third gen podiums only get used in the van and are generally annoying as I don't like the slower flow valve.
another vote for Elite Fly MTB
Think the latest shape might be better?
This is new from Wiggle, so I'm guessing the latest shape. Looks like. It won't even stay in the Bontrager cage made from old fishing nets which grips any other bottle like a hungry croc 🙁
– Second gen podiums used all the time on gravel and mtb, in both Blackburn and current gen King Cages (normal shaped ones!) and fit particularly well in the King Cage (so much so I am in the process of swapping all my cages!)
Sounds like a very expensive way of accommodating a water bottle 🙂
Haha. Fair. But they look nice 😛
Fidlock all day long
I’ve been using an Elite Corsa for the last 3-4 years, ride once a week average. It does the job and is still in one piece, although the bottle itself is barely recognisable due to wear / rubbing, and the lid hinge thing is wearing through.
Got a Camelbak Podium dirt a month ago and quite like it, although it does seem looser in the cage and the valve cover is a bit fiddly to put back on one handed.