Water bottles are a great way to stay hydrated while on your bike, but they can also get in the way of your safety gear. If you’re serious about your cycling and want to make sure you stay safe and hydrated, have you considered a water bottle holder instead? Here we take a look at our favourite bottle cages and water bottle holders, and test them for safety, usability and quality.
If you are in need of a water bottle holder for your bike, the right bottle cage can make a huge difference in the bike ride. It can help with your hydration and make riding your bike more enjoyable and safe. These bottle cage models have been tested by our team of bike experts to see which are the best.
For many of us, liquid refreshment has become a companion in our daily commute, and we use a water bottle to get us through the day. But water bottles may not be the optimal method of taking in fluids when biking, especially if the bottle is being carried on a bike. There are a number of different ways to carry bottles. For example, you can use bottle cages that are specifically made to hold water bottles, or you can opt for water bottle holders that are specific to cycling.
Bottle cages aren’t the most interesting part of your bicycle.
Unless you’re looking for something unique to go with a boutique construction (and have a large wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket), most people simply want something that securely holds their bottles without too much hassle. However, if it can also suit the appearance of your bike, that’s even better.
Isn’t it straightforward? Well, it should be, but being a very inexpensive and simple component, almost every bicycle manufacturer has tried their hand at it, and most experienced riders will have discovered that certain bottle cages are just better than others.
Bottle cages, like any other component, are made of a range of various materials, ranging from the least cost plastic and aluminum to the most expensive carbon and titanium.
However, since the design and construction of the cage are frequently more important than the substance it is composed of, don’t assume that a carbon bottle cage is better simply because it costs more.
While some individuals swear by creative solutions using different kinds of magnets or studs, the majority of people simply want something basic that works with conventional cycling bottles and firmly keeps them in place even on the toughest terrain.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite bottle cages on the market in 2023, with a range of designs and pricing points to ensure that everyone can find something that fits their needs.
Our team of specialists evaluated the finest cycling bottle cages in 2023.
- £65 / $75 / AU$120 DTR Arundel Mandible
- £28 / $50 for the Carbon Rocko Elite
- Ciro Tacx: £16 / $26
- £9 for Uncage Birzman
- £25 / $32 / AU$50 for the Vico Carbon Elite
- £15 / $15 / €15 Fabric Gripper Cage
- £5 / $10 / AU$15 The need of a lifeline
Arundel Mandible DTR
The sleek design is much more durable than it seems. Immediate Publication
- The cost is £65 / $75 / AU$120.
- 22g in weight
The DTR in Arundel’s 22g Mandible refers to the preferred position and access side. Left-handed riders, on the other hand, may use the STR’s seat-tube mounted sister to swap positions.
The sleek design, which is made by wrapping carbon fiber over a foam core, is much stronger than it seems, and both mounting choices include one round and one slotted hole for minimal adjustability.
The cage holds the bottle effectively and allows for quick and easy bottle insertion from the side.
Elite Rocko Carbon
Any bottle may be inserted from a variety of angles in an instant. Immediate Publication
- £28 (about $50)
- 27g in weight
Elite’s Italian-made 27g The Rocko cage is a contemporary take on the famous Cannibal cage, with a wider mouth and injection-moulded carbon structure that is much tougher and lighter than fibreglass-infused resin.
Extra-long bolt holes guarantee easy installation, and the minimum construction allows any bottle to be placed from a variety of angles, immediately centering and snapping into place.
It’s a fantastic choice for bikes with little internal space and cyclists in a hurry since bottle retention is remarkably secure.
Tacx Ciro
The Ciro cage from Tacx comes in a variety of colors and finishes. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- Price: £16 (about $26)
- 30 gram weight
The Ciro’s carbon exterior and glass-fibre core make this lightweight, reasonably priced cage light.
This cage performed well with all of the bottles we tested it with, both Tacx and non-Tacx. It’s available in 20 two-tone black-and-color patterns with a gloss or matt finish.
There’s a lot to appreciate about this bag: it’s elegant, effective, durable, light, and affordable.
Birzman Uncage
All bottles are guided in gently with a firm click by chamfered, angled edges. Immediate Publication
Birzman’s durable 41g Uncage is made of a high-polymer material and features a simple but beautiful design.
Large bolt holes make installation simple, and the cage is strong yet flexible enough to withstand everyday riding damage.
Two interior ridges maintain a reassuringly strong grip, while chamfered, angled edges lead all bottles in smoothly with a solid click indicating full engagement.
A spare tube and levers may be be attached to a slot under the cage using the Velcro strap provided.
Elite Vico Carbon
It’s a good idea to double-check that your bottles will fit inside the Elite Vico Carbon. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- Price: £25.00 / $32.00 / AU$50.00
- 24 gram weight
The carbon-injected Vico is a decent weight without being too expensive. It works well with Elite’s own bottles, but other manufacturers’ bidons may be a tight fit, even if they’re technically the same diameter.
This means you’ll have to match it with Elite or test it out with your own bottles, but that’s our only criticism.
Gripper cage made of fabric
Fabric and Specialized bottles function best with the cage’s lip at the top.
- The cost is £15 / $15 / €15.
- 38g in weight
Fabric’s Gripper cage is available in four colors and is made of fiber-reinforced nylon. The cage’s large bolt holes make it easy to install, and it’s strong for its size, weighing just 38g.
The retaining arms of the design loop around the bottle high up and then connect in a Y-shape at the bottom.
This allows for flex, allowing for simple bottle insertion while maintaining security. The engagement lip on the cage works best with Fabric and Specialized bottles, but it can hold anything.
Lifeline Essential
The Essential from Lifeline is an excellent buy. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- Price: £5, $10, or $15 AUD
- 40g in weight
Lifeline, Wiggle’s cycling accessories company, has created this beautiful, colorful design.
The Essential is available in four glossy colors: black, blue, red, and white, and is constructed of durable polycarbonate plastic.
It performs exactly what you need it to do, keeping your bottle safe even on bumpy and cobblestone roads, and it’s a great deal.
Also put to the test…
The bottle cages listed below received less than four stars in our testing but are still worth considering.
Cinch in Blackburn
The Cinch from Blackburn is a lightweight alternative. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- The cost is £40 / $60 / AU$90.
- 15g in weight
This neon yellow version is very light, tight, and comes in four colors.
When compared to a set of bulkier cages, a pair of these thin cages may save 60g (nearly two ounces), so it’s a fair mass vs. money trade-off for the weight-conscious rider.
Despite this, we found it to be just as safe over bumps as heavier cages.
Bat Cage by Bontrager
Made from nylon pellets recovered from fishing nets gathered in Chile’s coastal villages. Immediate Publication
- £10 / $15 / $20 AU$20 / €15
- 50g in weight
This simple-looking 50g cage might be it if a bottle cage can ever be ecologically friendly.
The Bat Cage is one of Bontrager’s oldest products, made from nylon pellets made from recycled fishing nets gathered in Chile’s coastal villages.
It can fit any bike thanks to its pair of round and slotted mounting holes, and the high, wrap-around arms and prominent top lip offer excellent physical and audible bottle protection; unfortunately, this means it takes longer to insert and remove a bottle.
Flow cage Lezyne
For thinner bottles, the angled, split top makes insertion simpler. Immediate Publication
- The cost is £10 / $15 / AU$25 / €10.
- 47g in weight
With its 47g fibre-reinforced Composite Matrix structure, Lezyne’s Flow Cage defies expectations.
The X-Grip design provides a strong, durable, yet usefully flexible cage, with a deep center channel and large mounting holes for easy placement on the bike.
For thinner bottles and those with more tapered bottoms, the tilted, split top makes insertion simpler; others need more effort.
Its twin tabs fit well with most bottles and always keep them in place, however they don’t fit Elite’s bottles.
Drive on Lezyne Road Alloy
Drive on Lezyne Road Alloy is a little heavier, but it comes with a few more benefits. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- £23 (about $25)
- 43g in weight
A Velcro strap and pegs for Lezyne’s superb Road Drive mini-pump make this a little heavier than others (and works just as well with other, circa 17mm diameter, mini-pumps).
Bottles are securely stored yet easily retrieved and replaced, and the pump fitting is very helpful. It’s also available in a variety of colors.
Dualside Topeak
The offset design of Topeak Dualside is unique. Immediate Media/Dave Caudrey
- The cost is £15 / AU$30.
- 47g in weight
Topeak’s Dualside isn’t very light, and it comes in just two colors, but it does have a number of interesting tricks up its sleeve.
The term is derived from the fact that the cage’s entrance is somewhat ‘offset’ due to a flippable frame.
This makes reaching for your bottle simpler if you usually use the same hand, and it’s especially useful for smaller frames where vertical headroom for conventional bottle cages is limited.
Most cyclists have a preference for a bottle cage. But, as you know, picking the best cage out there can be a daunting task as there are so many different styles and brands out there. To narrow down your options, we picked out seven of the best bike bottle cages that were well reviewed, and put them through a series of tests designed to separate the wheat from the chaff.. Read more about bontrager elite water bottle cage and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bike water bottle cage?
The best bike water bottle cage is the one that fits your bike and your needs.
What water bottle cages do the pros use?
The pros use the K-Edge Aero Road cages.
Do mountain bikers use water bottle cages?
Yes, mountain bikers use water bottle cages to carry their water bottles.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- best water bottle cage for mountain bike
- best carbon water bottle cage
- bike water bottle cage
- best bike water bottle holder
- best bike water bottle holder 2018
