Should it be bottle or bidon? Either way, having the best mountain bike water bottle cage is important when you're spending some time on the trails. You don't want to be worrying about losing your water bottle.
You would think that choosing a water bottle cage should be easy. The concept is simple, an accessory to hold your water bottle securely.
However, there's much more to it than that. Don't believe me? Keep reading!
Why Have a Water Bottle Cage for your Mountain Bike?
When you purchase a new bike, it may not come with a bottle cage but without a doubt, you should get one and I'll tell you why.
Staying hydrated is important. We all know that. Some of us are better at it than others. However, we all need to have access to fluids and a bottle cage can make that easy for you!
Becoming dehydrated is bad news, your muscles can cramp up and you may find it difficult to concentrate. Neither of which you will want to happen, I'm sure.
Installing a water bottle cage is easy and a great way to ensure you always have access to fluids.
They are usually installed to the bike's frame with screws, sometimes straps. As a bottle cage goes onto the frame of the bike, it means all you have to do is reach down and grab the bottle.
If you're mountain biking on the trails then you want to know your water bottle isn't going anywhere and that's where water bottle cages shine. They keep your water bottle secure so it's always there when you need it.
As useful as bottle cages are, they aren't usually all that expensive so there's no good reason not to have one!
Most Popular Type Of Bottle Cages
There are a few different types of water bottle cages. Below are some of the most popular and arguably the best.
1. Aluminum
This type of cage is quite traditional and still used a lot today. They have the advantage over a lot of other bottle cages that they can usually be bent back into shape if they suffer any damage.
However, they can be heavier than newer styles of water bottle cages so something to keep in mind if you're looking to save weight.
2. Carbon Fiber
Some would describe it as the premium choice when it comes to almost anything bike related!
A carbon fiber bottle cage will shed some grams in weight as it's generally lighter than aluminum.
They do tend to be more expensive but could be worth the investment.
3. Plastic
Probably the most widely used material for water bottle cages. It's affordable, relatively durable, available in lots of different styles.
You can't really go wrong with a plastic bottle cage. They are lightweight and do the job brilliantly.
4. Top Load
A top-loading bottle cage is where the bottle slides in at the top of the cage. Yep, it's that simple.
These are what most riders tend to prefer and what most are used to. Grabbing your water bottle will be natural to you in this position.
A top-loading bottle cage also does a fantastic job at keeping your bottle secure so you can forget all about it until you need a drink.
5. Side Load
Not as common as a top-loading bottle holder but can be perfect for a lot of riders, depending on the style of riding you like to do.
If your bike has a small frame then a side loading cage can be the ideal option. It gives you easy access to smaller spaces.
Also, full-suspension mountain bikes might benefit from using a side loading bottle holder.
How to Choose the Right Mountain Bike Water Bottle Cage
The majority of water bottle holders are a standard size. These will hold both larger and smaller bottles.
Depending on the material of the bottle holder, they can bend out of shape so your bottle is no longer held in quite as tightly.
A great thing about aluminum holders is that they can usually be bent back into shape whereas the likes of plastic cannot.
1. Weight
As with most things to do with weight on a bike, it's a juggling act.
A super light bottle holder may save you 20 grams but getting your bottle out while you're riding could be difficult or it could be too loose.
Carbon fiber bottle cages will usually provide the biggest weight saving and they can be very durable. Having said that, they are unlikely to survive a significant impact, whereas an aluminum water bottle holder may.
When it comes to weight, it a case of weighing up (pun intended) what is important to you. If you want to save some weight, then carbon fiber is most likely your best bet.
For riders who want something that will be with them even through a big impact, then aluminum could be the best option.
2. Bottle Fit
Plain and simple you need your bottles to fit in the holder.
If your bottle is a relatively standard size, this shouldn't be a problem but it's always worth double-checking!
3. Materials
Bottle cages are made from different materials, plastic, carbon fiber and also aluminum are the most popular ones.
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.
Aluminum is durable but can be weighty. Carbon fiber is lightweight but not as durable. Plastic sits somewhere in the middle of the two.
4. Installation
Bottles are usually fitted to the downtube of bikes, it's an easy place to access when you want a drink so it's the most obvious place.
Installing a bottle holder (and any type of bike cup holder) can be a simple process. On your bike, there should be two mounting holes. Unscrew these and install the cage.
There are also other options where your bike doesn't have these holes, which is addressed further down.
One thing I will say immediately is drilling your own holes is not the answer.
5. Mounting Options
There are various methods for attaching a bottle holder to your bike.
Hose clamps can be used to fix the cage to the suspension forks and also the bike frame. This is the most popular way and it's very easy to do.
Zip ties are also another option, though not the finest way.
All being well the bike will have the holes to mount the cage easily and using just an Allen key. Perfect solution!
The 5 Best Water Bottle Cages
1. Pro Bike Tool
Pro Bike Tool was formed by cyclists so they understand our needs as they're just like us!
For Pro Bike Tool the important thing is to give the rider the best experience possible. They ensure this by providing us with high-quality products and fantastic service.
One issue that some water bottle cages can face is bottle retention. Being able to keep your water bottles safe when you're on bumpy trails- especially over time.
This shouldn't be an issue with this mountain bike bottle cage. It is designed to fit most standard and oversized bottles. It will also comfortably hold the following sizes:
- 20 oz/500ml
- 21 oz/ 550ml
- 24 oz/ 650ml
- 25 oz/750ml
- 33 oz/950ml
The nature of the design is that it is constructed from a piece of material and it can adjust +/- 0.2 inches so if you use a slighter larger or smaller water bottle, this shouldn't pose a problem. Nor should insulated water bottles.
If you're looking to shed some pounds off your bike then this could be the perfect bottle cage for you, it weighs in at only 48g/1.69oz.
This is thanks to it's CNC machined aluminum design. Pro Bike Tool also allows you to add a bit of sass to your bike if you want, through a huge choice of colors, either to match or contrast with your paintwork.
Installing this mountain bike bottle cage is an easy task and can be done in less than 60 seconds. Challenge accepted?
Pros
Cons
A side-loading cage provides easy access to your water bottles even on the smallest of mountain bike frames.
Lezyne is known for its quality products and this water bottle holder is no exception. It uses a composite matrix that is a high-strength fiber-reinforced material. This is used to make mold injected components. The result? Cycling products good enough for the pros.
Side loading mountain bike water bottle cages can take a little fine-tuning to get them exactly how you want them. To simplify this, Lezyne has fitted oval mounting holes so you adjust the bottle holder with ease to get it into the optimum position for you.
It's those extra touches that make you realize that Lezyne has thought about every aspect of the design to make sure it is one of the best bottle cages for mountain biking.
A common problem with bottle cages is that they can become slack over time, meaning that your water bottle doesn't stay in place quite how it used to. This isn't the case with this cage!
It holds up to years of use and still happily grips your water bottle the way it used to when you first bought it. Now that's impressive!
Not to mention that these mountain bike water bottle cages are lightweight, weighing in at only 48 grams, it's not going to add much weight to your bike, which is always nice let's face it!
A strong and sturdy bottle holder can be hard to come by, especially a lightweight one. So this water bottle holder makes for a fantastic purchase.
Pros
Cons
Let's start by addressing how awesome the color options are on this cage! They are dazzling so if you want to bring a bit of additional color to your ride, then Rockbros have you covered!
The surface of this cage is vacuum electroplated and the cast has three colors that blend gradually to make what is a fantastically dazzling color blend. The great thing is, these water bottle cages are available in three different color options so there's plenty of scope to jazz up your bike.
Coming in at only 28 grams it is the best MTB water bottle cage for those riders who are looking to shed grams on their bike.
Lightweight doesn't mean it's not durable because Rockbros don't do things by half and this most certainly is durable!
The design of this cage is simple but striking and it will safely store most water bottles. Not just a pretty face!
Pros
Cons
A mountain bike water bottle cage that will keep your bottle secure at all times, whether you're out on rough terrain or hurtling downhill.
Scratches on water bottles don't look great. Especially when they're caused by the cage they're being held in. It's a small thing but it does ruin the aesthetics and I'd be fibbing if I said that doesn't matter.
So it's appreciated when this is taken into account. CNC has designed a bottles cage that is a lot less likely to scratch your bottle.
Mountain biking is a whole load of fun but can be tough on the bikes and their accessories, including the bottle cages so it's important to have a resilient one - just like this one from CNC!
Constructed from alloy it's built to last and hold its own on mountain bikes - we like that!
You ought not to have any problems with installing this one, it comes with two screws that ensure it fits securely to your bike.
This cage weighs 60 grams so it's not the lightest in our lineup but this isn't meant to be the lightest cage, it's built to do a job and it certainly does it well!
Pros
Cons
The holder that's going to hold your bottles in place on all of your mountain biking adventures!
With these cages from Marque you can stop worrying about losing your bottles - it's not going to happen. The retention system on this bottle holder is one of the best. Rough trails are no match for it.
For some people, style is important, even when mountain biking and it matters what is on their bikes. This bottle holder design is very minimalist and there is also the option of choosing between either a glossy or matte finish. One style which I'm sure will go perfectly with any MTB.
For other people it's all about how durable things are on their bikes, Marque has this base covered too. This bottles holder is made from aluminum alloy so it will hold its own in wet and wintery conditions.
Bottles vary in size almost as much as bikes do but this holder will hold most standard bottles and keep them in place securely.
You can be sure when a company puts their money where their mouth is, that they are proud of their quality and clearly, Marque is! If you encounter any issues with their cages, they operate a refund or replace guarantee. A nice bit of peace of mind goes a long way.
Pros
Cons
Common Questions & Answers
1. Where do you mount a water bottle on a mountain bike?
The most common place to mount a water bottle is on the downtube. There a usually mounting holes for that very purpose.
Unscrew and slot the cage into place.
Some mountain bikes will also have the option to mountain another bottle holder on the seat tube, and again there are usually mounting holes there too.
2. Are all water bottle cages the same size?
Pretty much! A water bottle holder will be very similar in size to the next.
They are all designed to accommodate both small and large bottles.
3. How do you put a water bottle cage on a bicycle without holes?
It's rare to find a bike without mounting holes but it does happen. So what do you do in those instances?
There are a few solutions.
Yes, you can drill the holes in yourself. No, I wouldn't recommend it.
The first way is to use zip ties. Possibly not the most glamorous of ways but it does the jobs and everyone knows zip ties are trusty.
If you want to add a bit more style than zip ties then there are bottle cage clamps. These clamps can be clamped onto your mountain bike almost anywhere you like.
Similar to the clamps, you can get water bottle straps. These are surprisingly firm and will hold your bottle cage in place.
4. What is the best bike water bottle?
This of course depends on your needs and what style of riding you do. However, you will find a very helpful guide at the top of this page to find your perfect water bottle cage!
Final Verdict
That's it! That's our round-up of bottle cages so which one comes out on top?
The Rockbros Bike Water Bottle Cage is the best mountain bike water bottle cage on the market. It adds that extra style to bikes that others simply can't. Rockbros somehow manages to turn what could be considered to be a mundane part of a bike into a feature element and that's really quite special!