Thrasymachus

I got a cheap alloy Planet bike water bottle cage. After buying some jean pants that were wider at the ankles, kind of bell-bottom like but not, I noticed that from time to time they would get caught in the cage on the left side. On the right side I normally use a reflective ankle brace to prevent my jeans from getting caught in the chain, so that side is usually good. Now my cheap cage is ruined from this and anyway the cheap welds on those alloy cages don't last, and the weld is coming apart. Tip: avoid those alloy cages they are cheap, but you will keep buying them. My friends' weld also failed.

I don't want to and frankly won't wear a specific costume like I am batman entering the bat-mo-bike or nor do I want to use another reflective ankle strap on the right side also.

Is there any brand or type of water bottle cage that doesn't have this problem? I am guessing the plastic ones that have the same design as the carbon models would be snag proof in jeans or long-sleeved pants.

RoadTire 

I realize this doesn't exactly answer your question, but as a side note every time I have been introduced to equipment with moving part, the safety training has been to avoid loose clothing. When I got my first bike in '75 it only took me a couple rides to realize I hated pants flopping around so purchased a pair of spring steel pants clips. Still use the same pair when I wear light hiking pants in cool weather.

rebel1916

You know what doesn't do that? Cycling specific pants.

Thrasymachus

@RoadTire:
I had to Google that, it seems uncomfortable:


This is what I use:


Mine seems a better option, when I go to stores I take it off and put it in my pant pocket, plus it is reflective.

@rebel1916:
I don't want to do an imitation of Bruce Wayne transforming into Batman or Clark Kent into Superman just to ride a 'friggin bike. Also I explicitly mentioned I am not a costume wearer in the original post, but I guess everyone has to try to act like a comedian. You can role play a professional cyclist every-time you cycle with the appropriate attire, I won't.

xtrajack

OP: I also use a reflective dork band on my right ankle to keep my Carhartts out of the chain. I also wear one on my left ankle just to keep my energy balanced. As far as taking them off when I go into stores, I don't bother, it just seems to be more hassle to take them off and put them back on, just to go into a store.

2manybikes

It's not the bottle cage, it's the decision to not wear another strap on the other leg. Or not to wear the correct clothing.

gregjones

Of course it is. You are the new forum hero due to your exhaustive bike knowledge.

Now, I wish you would stop starting posts just to show off.

RoadTire 

Glad I'm not the only one a little put off by the OP's attitude towards the best suggestions we had to honestly help. Can't wait until he has a real, maybe even a little techie kinda question...

buelito

you can always try the low-tech method... roll up your pant leg

train safe--

dynaryder

Where's the cage mounted,on the seattube or downtube? If there's a mount in the other position(many bikes have them in both places) you could try moving the cage there.

puckett129

The pants you are wearing now seem more costume like than cycling pants (not tights as you allude to above). When commuting I wear straight leg jeans and have never had a problem with them getting caught on anything. This may have been a legitimate problem for me when I was in high school as big pants were in, but it doesn't seem like an issue these days. And if it is... there's always, as has been mentioned, cycling specific clothing available.

megalowmatt

Yeah maybe try some different pants.

no1mad 

As someone who has just one piece of cycling specific clothing (mtb jersey a bit too small ), I'm not gonna judge the OP on what they choose to wear.

The OP has been given a few good options here- leg band on both legs, roll up the pants leg, relocate the cage within the triangle- and I'll throw in another suggestion for the relocation of the cage, but this time to either the stem or handlebar. For that matter, depending on how often you reach for the bottle on the fly, you could even mount a cage to the fork.

Artkansas 

I use the woven nylon leg bands that close with velcro and have reflective material on the outside. They last for years and are so comfortable that I forget that I'm wearing them. I gave up those metal monstrosities back in the '80s. They hurt.

The ones I wear look similar to this.

I-Like-To-Bike

Rubber band is another low tech method. I always have a few in my Batman utility belt.

chaadster

Something like the Profile Design 'Kage' will end your pant leg woes for like $10 per cage.



Available from Excel Sports for sub $7: https://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?...jor=3&minor=19

himespau 

get one (or two) of those cages for small/aero frames that only open on the drive side where you're already wearing your bad. Problem solved. Of course they're like $50 each, but it solves your problem within your constraints.

chaadster

They're not all $50. A Lezyne 'Flow' side loader (or two) can be had for $10 off eBay: https://compare.ebay.com/like/3806774...Types&var=sbar

JohnJ80

If the cage doesn't have a bottle in it, why not just take it off since it's not being used?

(Is it really that slow around here that this becomes tonight's discussion topic?)

J.

I-Like-To-Bike

OP shouldn't have any problem if a bottle is in the cage or if he mounted the cage in a place on the frame out of pedal reach. Both these Copper Canyon bottle cages have been mounted in over 12 years of all weather use. With no pants interference problems.

The OP's problem shouldn't require much wailing and gnashing of teeth, but as you pointed out, it must be slow today and idle minds get working OT.

rebel1916

You do know that not all cycling specific attire is made of skin tight lycra, right?

2_i 

For me the Kage solved the problem. Its weakness, though is in the rubber ring that strengthens the elastic action of the cage, but snaps over time. Topeak Modula is also better in not catching the pant legs than most cages, but not as good as Kage. Eventually, I think I'll make an ultimate non-catching cage out of stainless steel wire.

Those who suggest straps, cycle specific pants, rolling up etc. apparently do not ride enough to make those clothings provisions bothersome over time. In the end, you want to hop on a bike and move as soon as possible and when dismounting to progress to any other activity that awaits you.

chaadster

Yes, I experienced the O-ring failure over time, too, but have to say that as I recall-- this was several years ago I was using the Profile Design Kage-- the O-ring was not 'mission critical', and the bottle stayed put even without it.

Several carbon cages have good designs, e.g. the Lezyne Road Carbon; in fact, I think there are many designs available in all material types that don't snag flapping pant legs, e.g. the stainless wire Delta 'Inox':

locolobo13 

Hip pocket works if the bottle is small enuff. Or roll your pants up.

Leebo

I call them " shorts" , my new invention to keep your legs cool and no pant legs getting caught in stuff.