Coffee and cycling. Is there a more perfect marriage? In this article we discuss the best bike cup holders to help answers this eternal question.
Even the best bike riders competing in the Tour de France every July seem to obsess over the best coffee more than even the best groupset or carbon frames. Pride of place inside every team bus is a shiny and ludicrously expensive coffee machine.
If you are one of those people who cannot possibly contemplate starting the day without a hit of caffeine then a cup holder on your bike could be the perfect accessory for commuting to the office or on the school run with the kids.
Or imagine simply rolling along on your beach cruiser, admiring the views and taking a sip on a nice, cool drink from your bike cup holder. It could be a water bottle or, even better, a beer bottle.
Why limit yourself to just drinks though when these holders can carry all sorts of items that you might want to take with you, especially if you don't have any deep pockets. A portable speaker, a cell phone, keys. Nothing is off limits really with the right size of holder.
Let's be clear, this type of drink holder is not for the Lycra-clad road cyclists sprinting to road signs or for downhill mountain bikers bumping over rough terrain. If you try this you will end up with drink all over you.
They are for people who enjoy the simpler pleasures of cycling, like commuting or cruising through the city, and want to enjoy it even more by having their favorite drink or a water bottle within easy reach.
Choosing the best bicycle cup holder for your bike will transform your experience in the saddle.
Why Do You Need a Bike Cup Holder
Most cyclists will be familiar with the classic bottle cage attached on the down tube of the bike. These are great for holding water bottles when you are building-up a sweat on a hard ride.
They are not a good place to put your coffee cup though. For a start they are not designed to hold various cup sizes securely in place and the angle means that there will be more coffee on the street than in your mouth.
A bike cup holder is a really convenient way to carry your favorite drink on your way to the office in the morning or on the school run with the kids. This could be a cup of coffee to kick start your day or water bottles to keep you cool on the way to the office.
For those lucky enough to be able to cycle to the beach, a cup holder is a great option for carrying not just a cool drink but your phone, keys or even a Bluetooth speaker without needing any pockets on your clothes.
Being so easy to install and relatively cost-friendly a bike cup holder can instantly improve the enjoyment of your bike ride.
Choosing the Right Cup Holder
There are lots of different designs of bike cup holder available and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at some of the most common features to look out for when choosing the best bike cup holder.
Materials
Most bike cup holders are made of stainless steel or plastic but there are some other materials out there to consider such as leather for a more unique look.
Stainless Steel
Cup holders made from stainless steel are durable, light and should stay in a good condition for a long time.
Plastic
This material is typically polypropylene, bike holders are also common and unlike metal parts they are immune to corrosion. The main drawback of cup holders made from polypropylene is that it can degrade in quality under UV light and so for those looking for something to use down at the beach there may be better options.
Waterproof Fabric
At the more technical end, for riders looking for something that will be secure over rough terrain, waterproof fabric is a common choice. Great for a rainy day or if your drink happens to spill whilst out on the bike.
Leather
For a classy and simple look there are also holders available in premium leather that should tick a lot of style boxes for hipsters cruising around town with a nice cold beverage.
Some of the best drink holders come with insulation that will keep your drink cool even when the sun is beating down.
Installation
Mounts
The mount secures the bike cup holder to the bike, usually attaching somewhere on the handlebar. When selecting a mount design it is important to check that it will be compatible with your bike and that it will fit securely and not rattle when out on the road.
Some mounts offer flexibility and can be mounted to other parts of the bike such as the stem which can be really useful if your handlebars are not a standard design.
Mounts are typically secured to the bike using a bolt mechanism so you should check if any additional tools are required for mounting such as a 4mm hex key. Most are quick and easy to install on the bike and don't require any technical expertise.
Removable Holders
If you plan to leave your bike unattended for long periods of time then it might be worth choosing a drink holder with a mount that can be removed from the handlebar conveniently and without any tools. That way you can take it with you and not have to worry about it being stolen.
On some holders, instead of mount there may be Velcro straps which is extremely easy to install and can be conveniently moved between bikes as required. Most holders that use Velcro straps have extra straps to secure the holder to the stem of the handlebars. This helps to keep the holder upright and prevent drinks from spilling.
Accessibility
It is important to chose a cup holder that can be mounted where you want it and it is within easy reach when pedaling whilst always making sure your can ride safely. When mounting on the handlebar it may change the feel of the bike when turning.
It is always best for this reason to mount the holder as close to the stem as possible.
Size
The size of the drink holder is perhaps the most important consideration. There is no point buying a cup holder if the venti latte you need in the morning won't fit in securely.
You should also check the height of the cup holder is suitable for your bottle or cup as some will not provide enough support for the taller bottles or cups and they are likely to jump out of the holder if you hit a bump in the road.
Some feature a taper in the cup holder to better secure them when cycling therefore you should ensure that the cup or bottle you plan to use will be suitable for this.
Extra Features
It is a fact that you can't leave the house nowadays without your smart phone. Luckily some bike holders understand this very modern problem and have included storage for phones and keys. For a lot of people who love to cycle to the beach this feature will be a god-send since pockets are usually in short supply on swimwear.
When choosing a holder it is important to check that storage for your particular smart phone is suitable and perhaps most importantly will hold expensive phones securely. The last thing you want to see is your phone bouncing out of the mount.
The 8 Best Bike Cup Holders
1. BikeCupHolder
BikeCupHolder have came up with something more than just a cup holder.
As well as a cup holder, there is also a slot on the side for a smart phone and for extra utility a key ring tab to hold your keys when on the bike. It feels wrong to just call this a cup holder as it can do so much more.
The holder is attached securely to either the front or back of the handle bars using a 4mm hex bolt and so whilst it might not be portable it is secure. You will need a hex key to install this cup holder to the handle bars.
The mount is compatible with 22.2mm handle bars.
Inside the cup holder are tabs to hold your drink in place over bumps in the road.
Obviously with so many different designs of smart phones, it is important to check that yours will fit especially if your phone has a protective case. The top of the cell phone slot has a width of 3-1/2-inch and this tapers down to 3-1/4-inch at the bottom. This tapering helps to hold expensive phones securely.
2. Cruzies Bike Cup Holder
Apart from being a great, simple cup holder the Cruzies Bike Cup Holder just looks great. The fact that it comes in different colors (red, black, pink, turquoise and white) means that you can match it seamlessly with your beach cruising bike.
The holder is made from stainless steel, as is the mount, giving extra security when fitted to the handle bars. No tools are required to fit the holder to the bars. It is probably worth using a rubber strip between the mount and the handlebar to provide a bit more security and stop the mount rattling.
It looks cool but it is also functional. The inside of the holder is lined with foam insulation to keep your drink cool which, as we all know, is the most important thing.
3. Kemimoto 4-Straps Bike Cup Holder
Moving away from cruising the beach and onto more demanding terrain requires something a bit more robust and something that can hold a cup or a water bottle more securely.
This is where the Kemimoto bike cup holder comes in.
Over bumpy trails the cup or bottle is held securely in place with a drawstring at the top meaning that this holder fits pretty much every bottle or cup.
The holder is secured onto the handlebars using Velcro straps which at first glance might look a little flimsy but when used altogether they are secure. This style of fitting is also really useful if you have handlebars that vary from the standard design or want to be able to easily remove the holder at your destination.
The additional Velcro strap at the base of the holder helps to secure it and keep it completely upright on the ride.
It is made of a thick fabric material that is water proof and provides insulation to keep your drinks cool in the summer heat.
There is also an expandable mesh pocket for carrying smart phones and keys.
4. Ibera Bike Handlebar Cup Holder
The Ibera Bike Handle Bar Cup Holder is a simple ring design that looks more like the cup holders found inside cars.
The mount is designed for carrying hot beverages style cups and using a tapered cup provides more security for the drink.
The multi-way metallic mount that comes with this holder is really quite useful as it means that it is just as easy to attach to the stem as the handlebars and just gives more mounting options.
The simple design means that you get quick and easy access to you drink on the go but grip on the cup might not be the best compared to other holders, so care should be taken over rough roads.
5. Handlebar Mount Bicycle Drink Holder
This cup holder is similar in design to Cruzies bike cup holder but the design is inspired by the classic Solo red party cup. Now you can have a party icon on your bike!
The holder itself is made from double-wall ABS plastic which is durable and comes with a foam insert to help secure any drinks. The insert is not actually attached to the holder and can be removed to give a higher capacity.
The stainless steel handlebar attachment is sturdy and easy to install without any tools required.
The holder is suitable for any 18,24 and 32oz water bottle and cans but due to the design it is perhaps not suitable for taller cups.
6. AIKATE Bike Cup Holder
The AIKATE bike cup holder might look more like a standard water bottle holder found on the downtube, and it can be used in this way, but it is actually a really versatile cup holder that be mounted pretty much anywhere on the bike, from the handlebars to the seat post.
Despite being made from lightweight aluminum material, it feels strong and durable.
The supplied mount comes with the required tools to fit the holder to the bike and even includes a spare mounting screw in case you lose the first one.
7. Pineapple Express for Beach Cruiser
If your bike is used to cruising down to the beach then this pineapple-shaped bike cup holder could be the statement you need. It is not cheap but it will turn heads.
The realistic pineapple holder is made from durable polypropylene. It is not the largest holder available, with a capacity suitable for 12oz cans and bottles, but offers more than enough room for anything else you might need for a day at the beach.
A hex bolt holds the mount in place on the handlebars.
8. Tourbon Leather Bike Beverage Holder
The Tourbon bike cup holder is made from premium leather and the understated design clearly makes this one the hipsters choice.
The clamp is simple and doesn't require any tools to attach the bike cup holder to the handlebars. The clamp also comes with different inserts so that it can be attached securely to different handlebar diameters.
Unlike most bike cup holders, the Tourbon can be removed easily from the mount when off the bike and then clipped right back into place when ready to cycle home. This means that you can take it with you and do not need to worry that it will get stolen when off the bike.
This is not the biggest mount and probably won't hold the larger coffee cups that are popular with those who need copious amounts of caffeine to kick start their day but it will hold a can or a 20oz cup securely.
Conclusion
With so many different styles to choose from, some extremely useful and some just plain fun, it can be hard to pick the best bike cup holder.
If it was only about making a statement then the Pineapple Express holder would most definitely turn heads at the beach.
But with its simple, understated design, choice of bold colors and easy installation on the handlebar the Cruzies holder deserves its place at the top of the best bike cup holders. With enough space to swing a cat the Cruzies cup holder is versatile and keeps your drink and your bike cool. The Cruzies holder is great mix of functionality and design. An upgrade to any bike it sits on.