I see alot of metal (Stainless steel) water bottles going around. Is it the fact that the cage won't end up rubbing a hole in it that makes metal superior or does the metal keep your drink cooler or what?

I doubt it has anything to do with either. It's not the kind of thing I get into or worry about but some people are concerned about chemicals in some kinds of plastics leaching into the water that they drink.

Are you sure they aren't aluminum?

I think that part of it is plastic backlash, and partly that it's just this year's thing.

I personally felt that spending 10 or so dollars on one was ridiculous, given that they can make a coke can so cheaply that it's included as a throwaway with a soft drink. And sure enough, I found some in a dollar store, so I bought 3 matching ones to try them out. They're okay, seem to keep drinks cool for a reasonably long time. Mine has a screw top so it's not something you'd want to take on a ride unless you are willing to stop for a drink.

Its a fashion statement.

I bought an aluminum or stainless (don't remember which, now) water bottle to keep on my desk at work that I would refill from the water cooler. After a few months, when you removed the top to refill it, there was an unpleasant odor inside and the water developed an odd taste. I threw it away.

My plastic bottles just get a cycle through the dishwasher once in a while and all is good.

But I still refuse to drink coffee from a styrofoam cup.

I've never had a bottle cage rub a hole in a plastic bottle. I use plastic because I can squeeze it to get a quick drink. You can't squeeze a metal bottle.

If you should decide to buy the type of ordinary water bottle, there are better ones that are better made. These are better made ones that aren't quite so notorious. These are better to drink ordinary cold water out of than the previous ones. However, do not put the bottle anywhere that the bottle material would become heated (e.g. in car cupholder next to car heater, heated in microwave oven, and other places. It is safe to keep it in its cage on the bicycle during the ride, but not to be left there afterwards. Heating the bottle will reorganize the bottle material and thus could make chemicals leech into the water.

I keep my water bottle clean and in a cool place. I recommend that you do, too.

I don't know about the latest metal bottles. Who knows what could be in the liner?

Stainless and have for years. I have had plastic and they always gave a bad taste to me, also had a bad habit of growing things and were hard to keep clean on the road.

Aaron

I think a lot of this has to do with the BPA issues. The hard clear bottles used to be made with a polycarbonate plastic that contained BPA, even some of the aluminum bottles were coated with plastic containing BPA. Some of the new waterbottles are made with Stainless Steel and are not coated so you would not get BPA's from them. If you do use the polycarbonate bottles for camping or such, don't wash them in a dish washer, the higher temps tends to crack the plastic and the increase in surface area releases BPA's at a higher rate (that's if you believe that BPA's bad for you)

IIRC the softer plastic water bottles that are used for bike bottles do not contain BPA's so if you are using a typical water bottle then it should be fine.

I have never worn a hole through any of my water bottles in over 40 years of riding. I tend to lose them before they wear out.

The type of water bottle I have is of softer plastic and doesn't contain BPA's. It also doesn't give the water in it a bad taste. I keep it clean and store it in a cool place when I'm not riding. I've had it for over two years now.

I have to agree that metal water bottles are probably a fashion statement, but I have four stainless ones. I may even wrap them in twine someday to take it up a notch.

I don't like the taste of plastic. I'm never in too much of a hurry to pull over for a drink. Stainless does not have a liner (aluminum does). They wash easily. They are puncture resistant. (I had a plastic water bottle punctured by a dog bite while riding... I was glad it wasn't my leg).

Metal bottle, plastic, nylon, cage,.. plastic squeeze bottle , metal cage..

Have a couple Alum bottles which I wrapped packing tape around .
so I can stick them in either ..

Stainless steel bottles are as chemically safe as you can get, and don't absorb odors and bacteria like so many plastic bottles. The insulated steel bottles will keep your water cold for longer than you can ride. I've been using stainless steel bottles for years.

I do have to admit that the Camelbak Big Chill Podium bottles are breaking me down though. They are awesome bottles.