Side load bottle cage

I'm a Zee fan. They do work better with some bottles more than others though, mostly due to the fact that the notch on some bottles isn't in exactly the right place.

got zee cages on three bikes and don't think I've ever lost a bottle.

Zee has worked perfectly for me. Generally with SIS bottles. Never had one budge.

Zee with purist bottles, no lost bottles (or range extenders)

Zee with a Camelbak podium here, it doesn't fit perfectly but it fits well enough and has never fallen out or rattled.

Does anyone know what the biggest bottle that’ll fit reliably on a Zee cage is? My Specialized bottles are rock solid but the almost 1000ml other brand bottle I have gets shaken off (perils of a 160mm hardtail!)

Happy Zee user here. Only ever used small bottles though, due to my shock position

The biggest Decathlon Aptonia bottle is quite a tight fit.

Did anyone mention the Specialized Zee?

Works well for me.

Did anyone mention the Specialized Zee?

I don't think so.

Zee with a Camelbak podium here, it doesn’t fit perfectly but it fits well enough and has never fallen out or rattled.

Well that sort of settles that then, it'll be a podium insulated bottle in using it with.

Another long time happy Zee user here. Have them on 3 bikes, use various different bottles 500ml through to 850ml and yet to lose one.

I've been using the Mt Zoom ones for ages and they've been great. Sorry to spoil the consensus🤣
https://mtzoom.com/collections/cages-and-bottles

Off road or on? There doesn't look to be a lot of cage to grab the bottle there.

Elite Ciussi. been using them on and off (on frames that won't take a stock Ciussi) for years n years n years. TBH, every bike i own has a Ciussi of some description on it.

In fact, the only other cage that has lasted and actually stayed on a bike (the exes race bike) has been out of production for ~10 years.

Blackburn Wayside, used with Camelbak bottles for the last four years and a lot of distance with no issues. The black coating wears off, might be a problem if you're a bike polisher.

I can see the bontrager one at a good price in several places but experience of side load cages makes me cautious about trying one

EDIT: I have the bonty one on my full sus. No issues with it at all and stops the bottle scraping the frame as I wanted. Loads fine and removes fine, and bottle hasn't fallen out yet.

Thank you - that's good to hear, I'm tempted to go for the bonty one at £6. Mainly as I'm a bit* tight.

*which is to say quite a lot.

Spesh Zee - Zefal 1000ml Magnum bottle for the win

Cotic recommended the Lezyne side-loading cage to me. Works great with a Camelbak Podium, rock solid.

I've got a Zee and did loose bottles on my Starling Murmur, never had a problem on other bikes. I now use a bit of velcro with it and it's rock solid, though I can't drink on the move.

I use a Lezyne one and not lost a bottle yet.

Oddly the lezyne (flow) ones I've seen a few moans about them losing the bottles.

I did like the look otherwise as they are also available with a tiny tool box on them.

The decathlon one for about £7 works with all of my bottles, haven't lost one yet.

Edit - Inflation, its now £8 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/side-access-cycling-bottle-cage/_/R-p-330983

Had a Zee, moved to Fidlock system which I would say side loads. And is waaaay better.

I’m a bit tight.

maybe not the best solution for you though.

maybe not the best solution for you though

Yeah, but fidlock is sort of shiny bauble stuff, so it's not in the same category of tight wad stuff.

Cube Acid works well for me, also with a podium bottle ....

I’ve got a Zee and did loose bottles on my Starling Murmur, never had a problem on other bikes. I now use a bit of velcro with it and it’s rock solid, though I can’t drink on the move.

Same here, Zee cage and Bounty side loading cage on my Murmur and lost a few bottles. Switched to Fidlock and so far as good.

“Spesh Zee – Zefal 1000ml Magnum bottle for the win”

So the narrow bit in the middle is deep enough for the lip on the Zee to hold it securely? Holding a full kilo of bottle in place is not that easy on a long travel hardtail when you’re in a smashy sort of mood!

Off road or on? There doesn’t look to be a lot of cage to grab the bottle there.

Both.
Got two each on the XC race bike, the fun HT and the posh road bike.
Got a fancy aero one on the TT bike and some conventional ones on the commuter as they are cheaper and the bottle will go in a top loader

@dangeourbrain my lezyne flow apears to be a quite different design to the ones with storage case.

Where have you got a good delivered price on the Bonty cage please OP?

I'd like to try one on my new bike.

Leisure lakes is £6 plus delivery (£3 I think)

That being said I'll likely do click and collect

Spesh Zee – Zefal 1000ml Magnum bottle for the win”

So the narrow bit in the middle is deep enough for the lip on the Zee to hold it securely? Holding a full kilo of bottle in place is not that easy on a long travel hardtail when you’re in a smashy sort of mood!

It's a snuggish fit and not had it fall out over a couple 1000k and have been down some lumpy stuff at speed on a downcountry 120/100FS. I don't do air tho.
More surprising over that time is that the dishwasher gremlins have not disappeared the lid like they seems to do with other bottles