Best bottle cages: 24 choices rated for every type of driving

40.6g
+ Chosen by professional riders
+ Inexpensive
– Retention could also be too sturdy

The bottle cage we see most frequently on professional bikes right here at Cyclingnews is the Elite Custom Race Plus. It’s a reasonable possibility that appears the enterprise, does not weigh an excessive amount of, and has a tenacious grip. There are loads of color selections too, to match your body and package. The solely actual draw back is that the grip is so sturdy that it takes a little bit of effort to get the bottles out and in – nice for avoiding shedding your drink in a race, however extra of a process for us mere mortals.

46.1g
+ Many colors accessible
+ Classic form in plastic type
– High RRP for a plastic cage

Arundel is probably greatest recognized for its classic-looking stainless cages, which I’ve additionally lined beneath. The Grypto is a plastic recreation of the stainless form, and whereas this one is black it does are available in a wide range of extraordinarily pretty block color choices. The bottle retention is safe however is simpler to get in/out than the Elite Custom Race Plus due to an absence of rubber gripper. 

40.6g
+ Low RRP
– Branding is probably not to all tastes

The Lifeline Essential bottle cage is available in at below £5 and weighs lower than extra premium choices. It has a vigorous matte end, however the brilliant branding is probably not to all tastes; it’s kind of overkill for a bottle cage for my part. That being mentioned, it is low-cost, and does the job very successfully, with a retention just like the Arundel Grypto for a fraction of the value. 

41.7g
+ Adjustable retention
– Looks a bit odd

Elite Pria Pavè solves the bottle retention conundrum by including a dial, that means you possibly can go away it unfastened for easy driving, and tighten your bottles up earlier than tough floor such as you’d tighten a BOA dial in your footwear earlier than a dash. These turn out to be useful in the event you’re driving cobbles, or in all probability extra probably in the event you’re driving over combined terrain – simply do not try to over-tighten the dial as it could jam.

42.1g (with out instruments and Airtag)
+ Neat device storage
+ Airtag appropriate
– Multi-tool is restricted

In phrases of added options, it is arduous to beat the Topeak Ninja. Not solely does it have the potential to stow a multi-tool beneath nevertheless it’s additionally acquired a socket to deal with an Apple Airtag so you possibly can observe your bike if it will get stolen. The Multi-tool is not probably the most well-appointed, however it’s tiny, so if you need probably the most streamlined setup then this ought to be excessive in your record.

31.2g
+ You can inform your buddies you may have Enve bottle cages
+ Pretty gentle
– More costly than many plastic cages

Better recognized for its light-weight carbon choices (we’re speaking wheels, bars, and now full bikes). Enve additionally has its personal line of ending package and equipment. The Enve CIM cage is most related in type and performance to the Arundel Grypto, however the Enve possibility is somewhat lighter and has a barely simpler motion when getting the bottle out and in. If you yearn for Enve wheels, however cannot fairly stretch to north of £2k, then perhaps simply get these as an alternative.

30.0g
+ Understated seems to be
+ Multiple end choices
– Vice-like grip

Like the Elite Custom Race Plus I discovered the Arundel Mandible to be so grippy as to be virtually detrimental, however in the event you like a rattle-free expertise then it is an amazing alternative. The basic form and understated branding would not look misplaced on basic bikes, and it is available in a wide range of finishes, with gloss and matte, unidirectional or woven, and flashes of color too.

25g
+ Drops weight from Custom Race Plus
+ Firm maintain
– Tends to look grubby

The Vico cage has the identical design because the Custom Race Plus, simply in carbon as an alternative of plastic, which saves 15g of weight, making it a professionals’ favorite. The dropped central part makes getting bottles out and in a breeze and the Vico holds bottles with out grievance. It does have a tendency to draw dust and scratches although.

26.5g
+ Great for small frames
+ Classy end
– It does not appear to be carbon

If you need carbon bottle cages so you possibly can present them off then the Rocko Carbon from Elite ain’t the one for you – It seems to be like a plastic cage however is available in lighter on the scales. I discovered it has a straightforward motion, and due to its form it virtually acts like a aspect loader. With somewhat tug upwards it could then pivot sideways, so in case you have a small body and wish standard-looking cages then this can be a nice possibility.

21.7g
+ Left and proper choices
+ Multiple finishes
– High RRP

If you desire a carbon cage, however you may have a small body or run a body bag then there are nonetheless nice side-loading choices just like the DTR / STR from Arundel. DTR (down tube proper) or STR (seat tube proper) is only a extra complicated means of claiming there are each proper and left entry choices. You nonetheless get the identical alternative of finishes as the usual Mandible, however with no color flash choices, and the maintain is marginally much less safe (however nonetheless fairly grippy).

24.7g
+ Includes Mounting Straps
+ Easy motion
– Not as safe as some

If you are tight on area, I imply actually tight, otherwise you need to mount a bottle someplace non-standard (like in case your body does not have downtube bosses) then the Granite Aux Side Loader is the one for you. While it could mount utilizing commonplace bottle bosses, it additionally features a rubber pad and straps, that means it may be mounted wherever in your body (inside motive). Perfect if you wish to drop it decrease to get it out of the way in which of a body bag, or add further hydration wherever it will match. 

11.8g
+ Crazy gentle
+ Still cheaper than some
– Worryingly skeletal

If light-weight is your purpose then the Feza cage is the one for you. The G12, technically a gravel model of a good lighter R10 is definitely the lightest on take a look at as a result of there’s barely something to it. A torque wrench is certainly wanted for set up, together with the included bolts. It nonetheless grips securely, and I’d wager that the 2g hit over the R10S is value it for a barely extra strong development. Let’s be actual although, all else apart it seems to be extraordinarily cool.

48.0g
+ Beautiful
+ Works properly on small frames
– Perfect, no notes

These are my bottle cages of alternative (and I’ve a stack to select from). They are stunning, they grip like a vice and are constructed to final. Sure, titanium ones will probably be lighter (there’s a Ti model of the Iris), however there is not any substitute in my thoughts for the gorgeous curves of the Iris cage. What’s extra, given the form, they work rather well on small frames in the event you do not fairly have to go for a aspect loader. Like the Elite Rocko Carbon, pull up a bit and tilt and also you’re golden.

51.7g
+ Classic aesthetic
+ Comes in black too
– Somewhat hefty

If you are into basic curve drop bars you are in all probability already aware of the Elite Ciussi cage, additionally known as the 3C on some shops. It takes the acquainted type that so many steel cages take and provides a few anti slip buttons to assist bottle retention. It’s a timeless looker that will swimsuit any basic bike properly and is available in at a value lots decrease than King Cage choices.

48g (stainless) 28g (Ti)
+ Lowering possibility nice for smaller frames
+ Beautifully made
– Somewhat primary trying

The ‘commonplace’ cages from King Cage are available in stainless or titanium flavours, relying in your funds and penchant for gram-shaving. What’s extra, there are additionally ‘decreasing’ and ‘flat high’ variations, which sling the bottle decrease within the body and put off the tab to accommodate non-standard bottles respectively. Well made, and intensely sturdy, however they do resemble many different cheaper alternate options, so you will should be comfortable simply figuring out you’ve got acquired a extra premium, made-in-the-USA product. 

58.3g
+ Great on classic builds
+ Easy bottle motion
– Heaviest of the steel cages

The Stainless cage from Arundel has a vibe that fits extra classic, or vintage-inspired builds. The bottle motion is among the many best on the record, too, so in the event you’re slinging this below a downtube then I counsel utilizing a strap to secide your third bottle. On the flip aspect, it is tremendous straightforward to get your water out and in. If the aesthetics are for you the one actual draw back is the load, solely bested by the high-capacity choices and the admittedly extra specialist Lucky Cat beneath. 

35.9g
+ Dual sided
+ Can mount different issues to it
– Looks a bit odd

While many producers supply aspect loading cages by opening up one aspect of the cage itself, King Cage as an alternative takes the conventional form of a steel bottle cage and, by way of using enlarged backing plates and a number of holes, permits you to merely mount the entire cage on its aspect. While it seems to be a bit odd, it does imply you too can use the free mounting holes to mount different issues like a mini pump, or just use the central holes and mount it like a standard cage when aspect entry will not be required. 

64.5g
+ Fun!
+ Sideloading
– Heavy

Being product of plate aluminium has made the Lucky Cat model of PDW’s Animal Cage the heaviest steel one on take a look at, however that does not actually matter. It’s enjoyable, it is frivolous, and it seems to be good when empty too. Given it is a aspect loading cage it will additionally work properly in small frames, and if the Cat is not to your tastes there are canine, owl, sparrow, snake, and even otter choices to select from.

124.2g
+ Adjustable peak and depth
– Hard to make use of on the fly
– Heavy

If you are wanting to hold all kinds of random, vaguely cylindrical issues then the Modular Java from Topeak is your greatest wager. The base plate can slide out and in to accommodate numerous diameters, and the higher assist strap can transfer up and down too. The solely actual draw back is the higher assist strap is one it’s important to manually cinch down, so getting your bottle/speaker/merlot out on the fly is much less straightforward. It’s additionally the heaviest on take a look at.

158g
+ Fits a Nalgene or Kleen Kanteen
+ Comes in Black
– Looks a bit odd empty

Taking the type of two overlapping halves, the Velo Orange Mojave can simply accommodate a Nalgene, a Kleen Kanteen, or anything of the same diameter. You can bend the perimeters in or out to regulate the retention, and there is not any higher tab, as Nalgenes haven’t got somewhat indent like common water bottles do. I’ve used this alone bike for years and it is good as gold, nevertheless it does look somewhat odd with no bottle in it. Unlike the Litercage beneath which seems to be at a look identical to an everyday, however bigger commonplace cage. It works greatest with three bosses however can be utilized with two, it is in all probability greatest to keep away from doing so on a carbon body although.

55.2g
+ Fits principally any bottle
+ Adjustable stress
– Somewhat ugly

The Arundel Loony Bin is just like the Elite Pria Pavé in that it utilises a dial to open and shut the aperture. Where it differs although is the quantity of adjustability. The loony bin can fortunately maintain a stand bottle, or be opened as much as take a giant grocery store 2L water bottle, or a bottle of wine, while nonetheless permitting you the adjustable stress. There’s no higher tab, so in the event you do use it with a typical bottle bear in mind to clamp it down somewhat to maintain issues safe. 

69.0g
+ Can maintain something
+ Straps may be included
– Can’t use on the fly

Much just like the Tailfin possibility beneath, the Many Thing Titanium cage from King Cage can principally maintain no matter you need, due to its open design. Slot in a jar of peanut butter, or a bundle of sticks, and simply cinch them up with the Voilé straps (that may be included at buy for cheaper than you should purchase them standalone). The straps are glorious, and the design is superbly easy, nevertheless it does imply you possibly can’t entry the cargo on the fly as you’d have to undo the straps; higher for fork mounts than to be used as a bottle cage actually.

57g
+ Removable baseplate
+ Works with Tailfin system
– More fiddly than the King Cage possibility

The Tailfin Cargo Cages are designed to work with the Tailfin bikepacking ecosystem, the place they mesh seamlessly with the model’s racks and luggage, however additionally they work flawlessly as standalone cargo cages. They fulfil the identical responsibility because the Many Thing Cage, however with a detachable baseplate (that additionally capabilities as a bottle opener) they can help you drop further lengthy objects decrease. The strap slits are glorious, however actually extra fiddly to make use of than the extra easy King Cage, although they go away much less room for slippage. 

135.3g
+ Takes a Nalgene completely
+ Looks like a standard cage
– Not as adjustable because the Mojave

The Widefoot Litercage is my go-to cage for carrying a Nalgene, which I do on my cargo bike. It’s somewhat simpler to get the bottle out and in of than the Mojave, and appears like a standard cage at a look, however the flip aspect is that it is much less adjustable to take barely bigger/narrower bottles. It is also greatest used with triple bosses, as per the Mojave, however can be utilized with two and it permits you to mount in a number of positions. I’d advise towards it on a carbon body although.