fatallightning

the 21g are definitely a bit stronger and snug as well, fwiw. for the curious, the bell logos are under the clear, so no go with taking em off.

kindablue

Sorry if this is a taboo here, but I was wondering about bottle cages. I was in the local specialized store today and walked by the bottle cage display. I held the carbon and the plastic? (I think) cages and noticed a very very slight difference in weight. My question is who really is in the market for a 60$ as opposed to 10$ bottle cage? I know that cyclists try and shave off as much weight as possible, but does the bottle cage really make that much of a difference in the end? From where I stand aren't the moving parts of the bike way more important to address?

p.s. i am very green, so sorry if I disrupted the flow of things

datlas 

^^ Probably no significant difference, as no one answered your question in a timely manner.

In a similar vein, I plan to put 43g aluminum cages on my new bike...and they can be had for under $5 at performance. I don't understand why anyone would be paying 2-10X that amount to save a few grams (for what is likely a weaker cage, structurally). Heck, with the usual 15% coupon and 10% buyers club discount you can get these for under $4 each (technically $4.04 after state sales tax).

BarracksSi

Purely for bling, IMO (and the true weight weenies know that saving a few grams on bits all over the bike saves more weight than getting just one super-light part).

But, really, when you're dropping a couple thousand or more on a bike you really like, what's another sixty bucks on an accessory that's kinda fancy, fun to look at, and complements the bike?

Still, I prefer alloy cages, because I can bend them a bit to make the bottle fit more snugly.

dna59

I have the same design one that grasschopper posted. Only difference is that mine are branded by Stradalli and I got them off ebay for $30usd for a pair. Haven't had any problems with them yet.

nayr497

Okay, lots of people seem to like the Tacx Tao.

My question is can you folks using larger bottles (20 oz or 24 oz) use them on a compact frame? I can see running into problems with a large bottle and a regular cage on the seat post tube.

I'm looking to stay around $20 per cage, putting the cages on a carbon bike, and while the downtube cage is not much of an issue, I think I might need a side entry/pull cage for the seat tube.

Anyone have experience using the Tao on a compact frame?

Anyone have good suggestions for a side pull cage?

caloso

Here's my new perspective on the Tacx Tao. I'm retracting my recommendation.

I put them on my Bianchi 928, which has a slightly sloping TT, not as extreme as some, but there is a slope. I can just fit a tall bottle in the seatpost cage, but it doesn't always go in easily, so during a race or group ride, I always use a short bottle for that cage.

Oh, and I discovered that the plastic tab on the bottom snapped during last night's hammerfest so I had to put the bottle in my pocket for the last 30 miles.

I'm going to put a traditional aluminum wire cage on the bike for the time being. But I hate those too for marking up the bottles. Maybe I'll see if I can find a not-too-expensive titanium cage.

nayr497

Okay...so the Tao is out! Sorry to hear about your issues, caloso.

I'm not that concerned with the weight, but, of course, I am concerned with my frame blowing up if I use a metal or alloy cage on a carbon bike

So, anyone have suggestions on a rather light (say around 40 g) rather inexpensive (say around $30) water bottle cage that works on a compact frame?

I have a regular Specialized alloy cage on the frame for the time being and it is fine if I use a 16 oz. bottle, but too tight when I use a 24 oz. bottle. (this is on the ST)

Miller2

It shouldnt be. Those are great cages. I have had 4 of them on 2 different bikes and never had an issue. The tall Camelbak bottle requires a little effort to put in the cage on the seat tube but it's nothing major.

nayr497

That was a joke - while I respect caloso's input, I'm not going to toss out the Tao based on one person's experience.

Miller, do you use the cages on compact frames? I have a Camelbak bottle and right now with the alloy cage I have it leaves little room to get it out.

I guess I'm trying to figure out if people are able to use regular cages on compact frames with large bottles or if I definitely need to go the route of side pull/entry cages.

Miller2

Ok I missed the joke......the Ridley has a slightly sloping top tube thats why I said the seat tube cage requires I bend the Tao a bit to get the large bottle in. Wouldnt be an issue with a smaller bottle. I think Arundel makes a nice side entry cage.