Road Cycling - Bottle Cages???

After riding my new bike for about 2 weeks, I have noticed that I get sudden urges to drink water while on rides. It's time for me to get a pair of bottles cages so I can provide my body with that oh so refreshing feeling of cold water settling down my throat and into my lungs-I mean stomach. So does anyone have any advice has to what brands and types of bottle cages I should look for? Since my bike was $1200, I would rather not by some cheap $3 plastic cages. I want bottle cages that are plated with gold and covered in diamonds, gems, and rubies!(just kidding)

So does anyone have any advice:confused:

I just purchased two "VELOCITY Velo Cage" (http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=26345&S=26345) bottle cages from Colorado Cycist, they ran $8 each. and weigh in at 53g.

What i really like most is the mounting bracket, unlike the cheap cages, you can mount the cage higher or lower on the bracket, depending on your frame size and fit.

What is the world coming to when bottle cages become objects of acquisitive desire? Get ordinary, every day cages!

Okay... what I have on my road bike:

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2002/equip/02cagepro_d.jpg

That's the Specialized Rib Cage Pro. I like it because it's light [40 g each] and they don't get bent out of shape. I also have a small frame bike [50cm] and I find it's easier to get bottles in and out of the seattube cage than with other cages.

I also have one of these:

http://www.profile-design.com/images/products/hydration_kages.jpg

That's a Profile Design Kage. It's also light, but what I really like is that it really clamps on to the battery for my lights when I put it on my MTB [which I frequently ride at night in the fall]. I also occasionally put it on my 'cross bike, when I'm usuing it as a road bike in bad weather. My 'cross bike usually doesn't havew any cages, of course.

I was aiming for more metallic like bottle cages. I would like to get a bottle cage with a dragon sculpted on it or something. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it would go with my bike's design. I don't know if there is such thing as that type of bottle cage, but if there isn't, I will just go with that velo, or specialized cages.

I almost forgot... the coolest cage on the market right now is the Tacx Tao cage...

http://www.tacx.nl/products/images/diversen/tao-houder2.jpg

It's very light -- weighs about 35g -- and is very sexy. The distributor in the US is Ochsner International (http://www.ochsnerusa.com/). There should be a list of dealers on their Web site.

I like lightweight stainless, mainly because they don't grunge my waterbottles. (I pick up commemorative bottles at rides and events, and keep them as souvenirs.)

The Elite Ciussi stainless or Performance Strada Lite (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/subcategory.html?Cat_ID=12&Sub_ID=4342) are a couple of examples. (Hope the link works.)

If money is no object, I'm sure somebody makes a Ti cage.

Actually there are several companies that make Ti cages, but the new ZIPP carbon fiber cages are really nice and only cost a piddling $40 or $50. Ti cages are much less.

holy cow batman! that oschner international is a mile from my house. i'm going to go over and see about those cages and check out there campy stuff!!!

Velocipedio,
Those Specialized Rib Cage Pros look like little men. I wonder if that was intentional on the designer's part.
Rainman

Thanks for the advice. I just picked up a pair of Ciussi bottle cages today. They looked real nice. The pair was only $30! You can't go wrong with italian. I also got a neat Topeak Hummer pocket tool-kit. :D

hey, your right, those specialized rib cage pro's look like little men trying to hoola hoop!

Get STEEL cages- aluminum cages WILL break at some point
(I guarantee)

Ride Watered
Pat

Hi Velocipedio!!

Those cages are sooooooo sexy. I downloaded the pictures, this has my missus all worried...

hehe... you know what amazes me about bike components? how something as harmless seeming as a bottle cage can come in so many different price levels. Oh, get this one for aero efficiency, get that one cuz it's lightweight, this one is really cushy, makes your water taste better, that one doesn't have enough flex, you can't get the bottle out... etc etc. Of course bottle cages are not the only example, we don't have to think too hard to come up with similar examples :).

I had to post my choice, the Blackburn Chicanes.

Deleriou5 is right on. Only cyclists could have such passionate discussions about something so...dorky.

Gawd i love this sport....:D

I'm surprised that you paid $1200 for a bike and the bike shop didn't at least throw in some cages of some type. Or give you a discount. They often do that. Go back to your shop and beg (with a smile) and maybe get some cheaper than mailorder.

Along this same line of thought. Drink lots of water or energy drink on the bike. You should finish off at least a bottle in an hour or so (depending on the weather). I set a timer on my cheapo digital watch to go off every 10 minutes to remind me to drink. All my riding buddies know the sound of the chime and we all say "Time to Drink!". It's a good habit to get into since you don't want to get dehydrated and have to drag yourself home with a major bonk going on. Plus it's bad for your health. Drink, Drink, Drink when you ride.

Also if you didn't know. Keep your bottles clean and don't let any weird bacteria grow because you forgot to clean and rinse them out. That will really set your gut in a spin.

I personally go for a light, seamless, cage that won't oxidize on the bottle. Simple is better in my opinion.

Well im getting free service + adjustments for life, and the bike was already a deal! So I guess it was a good deal.