Side Loading Water Botttle Cages
 

Am looking to get a side loading water bottle cage and the most convenient for me would be to pick one up from Halfords but they don't seem to have any specific ones in stock at my local branch, would either of these work as well as they both seem to have "low" sides or am I better off getting one specifically designed to side load.

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...tle-cage-black

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...ce-bottle-cage

If you want a nice sideloading bottle cage, the PDW Lucky Cat is my favorite. I have two of them and probably will end up with more if I need more sideloaders. I have been using their bottle cages for many years now and no dropped bottles and certainly a hugely improved look.

Having given this a bit more thought I could pick up something that may or may not be right tomorrow as I'm going past their door and save myself a couple of £'s on postage as well and get the wrong thing so I think I'll have a look online and find one made for the job rather than something "that'll do" as I'll be using it hopefully for years to come.

There are quite a few, just do a search on amazon for side water bottle cage.

Lezeyne
Blackburn
bike Planet
Salsa
Zefal
PDW and many others

I don't think that either of those will be a good substitute for a side loading cage.

I've had a nightmare with these, they're typically not very good. I know of one which has its mount slideable from one side to another, allowing it to be used from any angle, and the clasp looks a good shapeb - but the shop is miles from here and I can't find it online.