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Water bottle option...
 

Water bottle options on a Bird Aether 9a

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[#13535342]

I have an Aether 9a in ML. Currently got an old side entry bottle cage in there with a 500ml bottle. I quite fancy a Fidlock setup instead, mainly because it looks nicer. Has anyone used one on an Aether 9a? Ideally I'd like a 750ml bottle but that might be a bit snug. I also have a pump holder underneath the bottle cage to make things even more awkward. 

PXL_20260425_065436705.jpg


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 10:07 am
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Fidlock have a newer 750 bottle that's wider/fatter instead of longer, might suit

They work fine with pump holders IME - but you might need to source bolts with a flat head that are long enough - they supply bolts that sit flush, other bolts with a larger head can stop the bottle contacting the magnets properly


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 10:12 am
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Yeah Peaty's do the fatter bottle. Need to check the dimensions and have a measure


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 10:18 am
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If you're not running a piggyback shock then a normal 600ml fidlock bottle fits. It doesn't with one though.


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 12:20 pm
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https://www.fidlock.com/consumer/en/service/templates/

Fidlock have handy 1:1 templates you can use to check sizing/clearance


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 12:34 pm
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I have ML A9 frame with a Fox Float X. The 550ml Fidlock compact fits fine, and I think the 750 compact would also fit if I changed to a shock without piggyback. 


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 12:55 pm
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No piggyback, might chance the big compact. I saw the template things but I don't have a printer! 


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 2:26 pm
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I've got a large Aether 9 with a piggyback shock. Bought fidlock and 750ml bottle from Bird and it fits with about 2mm space to spare between top of bottle and end of piggyback.

With no piggyback I don't think it would have any issues.


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 2:41 pm
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Not the same bike but space was an issue for me so I rotated the mount 180 and the mount on my bottle. 

Had quite a few rides in it and it's still going strong. 

Gave me the extra few cm to make it work. Aware of the new fatter/shorter bottle options but didn't want to buy another bottle. 

20260401_182349.jpg


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 7:20 pm
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Posted by: relapsed_mandalorian

I rotated the mount 180 and the mount on my bottle. 

I've done this on two of my bikes that I use for bike-packing - lowers the bottle position and means I can get a frame bag in as well.

I've fidlock mounts on two bikes, including my Bird AM - they work well!


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 8:33 pm
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Ah yes, good shout...the mount on the water bottle needs rotated and the frame mount also needs rotated. The bottle clamp only connects 1 way so to get more space, rotate the clamp.

I thought I had but obviously rotated it twice, first bump down a flight of stairs and the bottle shot out the mount!


 
Posted : 29/04/2026 8:44 pm