Bottle Cage Lust + Bottles
 

I don't think I've ever wanted a cage with bottles any more then this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1798wt_1141

One small problem, the price....YIKES!!!!!

Mutt

The corks are in bad shape.

Beautiful !!! - Gilbert [Galibier95] always has some fascinating old components and accessories. He's also a very reliable eBay seller. And, I'm delighted that he always has excellent photos of his rare bits (for my archives... and dreams). I'm afraid that set will soar way out of my price range...

I would guess that those may date from the late 1950s. Earlier cages (from the 1930s and 40s) always seemed to have been constructed with very flimsy looking wire frames. These cages look like they will still last for a good many years. COLORAL (in the UK) had made some double bottle handlebar mounted cages during the 1960s, and they may have been among the last produced anywhere. Specialites TA (France) had still made single bottle handlebar cages at least into the 1980s... perhaps they still do?

A shame that similar double cages (and bottles too) are no longer produced. Maybe this is an opportunity for Chris at Velo-Orange to capture a new market.

For that matter, I wonder whether TOEI in Japan offers anything similar. I've seen some of their bikes equipped with vintage bottles and cages but I've never heard of them being offered as an option for their custom bikes...

This seller in Italy has been selling reproductions for several years now.

http://cgi.ebay.it/STUPENDE-BORRACCE...item53e5f5ad3d

I'm going to fashion a somewhat passable substitute by polishing two 18oz Kleen Kanteens. I could probably find corks, but I'll likely just use the plastic flat tops. I'll use these and these.

Colonel, before you begin crafting, check out an old ind. hardware store they often have corks for bottle tops, sometimes quite large dia. Also I saw in a Bar Supply catalog, ss bottles that looked perfect. No funds at the time so I did nothing...would have been a lot less than the $361

I hope this thread turns into a "show us your vintage water bottles and cages" thread...

OK, I'll play.

I sold the silver bottle and bought a matching blue one.

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1296672341



I traded some pedals for this.

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1296672385

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1296672424

been there, done that.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_b...0/DSCF1003.JPG

i had them on until my LBS owner made fun of me, then I took them off :)

I'm jealous of his inventory , I'd like to have suff like this for sale, I feel like a small player.

Ha! I'll bet if I do it my LBS owner will rig the same thing up on one of his bikes.

Seriourly though. close to 400 dollars?

Do not underestimate Japanese collectors. Nothing surprises me anymore.

Aesthetically, and functionally too, I find the modern options sitting too high and being inadequately supported. Every one of mine will sag on even a short stretch of cobbles or other rough surface. Most of the genuine vintage holders put the neck of the bottle at or slightly above the bars, like iab's.

Why not?

As a matter of fact, as collectables, bikes and their accessories are cheap compared most every other collectable market.

Let me ask you, exactly how many double bar cages and aluminum bottles have you actually seen in your lifetime? You don't think these things are rare? Would you rather spend $400 on a penny, basball card or comic book?

What makes you think the buyer was Japanese? Trust me, they're not always the high bidder.

Of course they're not always the highest bidder. However, it is indisputable that wealthy Japanese are big buyers of high-end, vintage bikes and parts. I didn't say the buyer was Japanese as I'd have no way of knowing. But, I find it plausible.

Who makes this one? I've got one of unfinished aluminum, but it has failed from the stress in multiple places...it's really flimsy. Do you know the vintage?

Sorry my friend. I am only a collector of practicality. For 400 dollars, I could buy a new kayak, tent, and backback, plus a stainless bottle of my choice. Not that Water isn't at the top of my list of necessities, it's just that I would have to drink close to 4 million gallons worth of water to even consider that functional enough for my taste. Or better yet, if I was dead set on spending 400 on a rare water bottle rack that WORKED, I would have one custom built by one of many LOCAL skilled craftsman in the area. (we know steel where I come from). To each is own.

Coloral. 1950s.

Why don't you think the one pictured doesn't work?

Here's the thing that you seem to miss. You spend $400 on your LOCAL skilled craftsman, you can resell it for $20. Buy the vintage one for $400, use it for 2 years, sell it for $600. What's smarter?

I'll play too:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...I/DSC01480.jpg

Scott

I did not say that one didn't work. I was aiding their quality by saying that is some peoples argument for why the vintage is the 'bees knees'. I was simply adding that I could as well obtain a functional cage. You seem quite offended by a remark that something was 400 dollars. If even as a collector you can't see practicality to cost adjustment that just does not make sense, then you aren't paying attention to the terminating value. (An object is only worth what somebody will pay for it) I agree that this object that sold is worth that 'monetary' amount, but that doesn't prove it's value to anybody but people with too much money and a means to sell it to the highest bidder. In the end you are collecting dollars, not vintage water bottle cages.
From my point of view, even to argue with a resale of it, if Vehicles from the 1950's that haven't even left the showroom floor are only worth at best 15-25x their original value, why would the value of something like this would be close to 100x the original value?
If we're talking about 'smart' in terms of collecting, it's to NOT be the guy who got stuck paying way too much.

And if you want to go the classy but economy route, these shaken and not stirred bar implements make lovely water bottles at times .. $1 at my local thrift store.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f..._MG_5287_2.jpg

Scott

I tuck old bottle holders away when I get one is decent shape. Though I have several down tube holders that I do not have the courage to clamp on, I did find one really nice handlebar mount. It is still mounted to my Peugeot PX10.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=188532 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=188533