Forum menu
My current steed has a bottle cage that hangs upside down. Having lost a bottle on the last outing I’m looking for a secure cage- any tips on one that might do the job?
Can you not turn the cage so it’s the right way up?
<br />Only if I fall off and the wheels are in the air..
The only cages I’ve seen have the mounting point in one place. The bolts in the frame are on the underside of the top tube, so the bottle weight is acting to open the cage up.
ah.. a frame on teh OUTSIDE of the down tube.. gotcha..
DrP
Do you have a photo? Your description is a bit hard to understand.
I use a Zee cage for under the top tube "upside down" mounts. Only lost one bottle in many, many years.
Considering where it is... ie not going to be grabbed while riding... you could add a strap, like a Voile Strap or a copy of one?
Well which cage have you got?
The Specialized Zee is the most-recommended cage for upside-downy use. I have a Nukeproof one that's good, but maybe not available now.
My shock has a piggyback which helps hold the bottle in though.
Handy, as I seem to be losing my bottle more often these days 😀
Thanks all. Apologies for the lack of clarity!
I’m not sure the brand but a metal frame one like the elite 3c one. https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-bottle-cages/elite-3c-water-bottle-cage-695858.html?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Cycling%3EBike+Accessories%3EBike+Bottle+Cages-_-Cycling%3EBike+Accessories%3EBike+Bottle+Cages-_-695858&srsltid=AfmBOorkWP8t7kuWBkmOgIhXCfQbSeGK0uyenCfyPEMv4Eipglc021v8BZw
Zee cage.
Works great under the downtube.
Just use a bottle with a lid unless you like the taste of cow pats.
When I had this setup, I tried multiple cages and they either didn’t work or didn’t last very long. The only one that did work and last was a fidlock but they are a bit expensive.
Why is snotrag riding through cow pats, maybe he's talking bullsssht.😀
not lost any of my fidlock bottles to date, including upside down mounted
This company seems to have put in a lot of thought into cages to suit the different forces at different locations on the bike https://dawntodusk.bike/cageecosystem/
But at that price you can afford to loose a few bottles.
Fidlock?
Have used a zee cage for this purpose, worked great but did eventually crack. Also, as they're side loading you have to order the opposite hand to the one you plan to use.
I've a Fidlock, works great, but yes expensive
Lezyne Powercages are very secure ime
https://ride.lezyne.com/products/1-bc-pole-v117
You could also just have a tough elastic band around your bottle and then hook it behind the upper part of the cage, above the upper bolt. Basically the same as a strap but less faff (and less secure).
I had this issue on my Starling. Fidlock worked well but rattled loads, I assume as the bottle is being pulled away from the mount.
Tried numerous cages but have to settled for a Zee cage with a velcro strap to hold the bottle in.
Bontrager does a cage made from recycled fishing nets, the Bat Cage, which is the single most ridiculously secure one I've ever encountered and now my default for mountain biking. It's much thicker than normal plastic cages and the added stiffness plus an effective shape means it does a proper pit bull-style job of holding onto bottles. Twelve quid and ostensibly eco friendly with it:
The amount of sheep shit I clean off my downtube (and many other places), not a chance I would have a bottle there.
Everyone's rides are different though
Top tube, not down tube in the OP (and most reaponses)
First thing I did when I bought my Cotic was to buy a Fidlock bottle.
No issues at all.
Some people say they rattle but had no major problems so far.
Bear in mind I only use it locally on hour or two rides.
Anything more I will probably use my Camelback.
Regards,
Max.
My Fidlock bottle also comes with a flip top lid to protect from cow shit. They also do a mount that straps to any tube on the bike and a universal mount with cords that can be used to hold any sized bottle, jacket, pouch, etc.