Upside down bottle ...
 

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Upside down bottle cage

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My current steed has a bottle cage that hangs upside down. Having lost a bottle on the last outing I’m looking for a secure cage- any tips on one that might do the job?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:22 pm
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Can you not turn the cage so it's the right way up?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:37 pm
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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Can you not turn the cage so it’s the right way up?

<br />Only if I fall off and the wheels are in the air..

The only cages I’ve seen have the mounting point in one place. The bolts in the frame are on the underside of the top tube, so the bottle weight is acting to open the cage up. 


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:44 pm
sboardman, kelvin, sboardman and 1 people reacted
 DrP
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ah.. a frame on teh OUTSIDE of the down tube.. gotcha..

DrP


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:48 pm
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Do you have a photo? Your description is a bit hard to understand.


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:50 pm
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I use a Zee cage for under the top tube "upside down" mounts. Only lost one bottle in many, many years.

Considering where it is... ie not going to be grabbed while riding... you could add a strap, like a Voile Strap or a copy of one?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:51 pm
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Well which cage have you got?

The Specialized Zee is the most-recommended cage for upside-downy use. I have a Nukeproof one that's good, but maybe not available now.

My shock has a piggyback which helps hold the bottle in though.

Handy, as I seem to be losing my bottle more often these days 😀


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:51 pm
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Would something like a Fidlock twist work?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 1:51 pm
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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A classic.

Tried bending it to make it tighter? [ no jokes ]

If that doesn't work... side loading cage. I'll recommend the Zee again, but I'm sure others work as well.


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 2:09 pm
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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Zee cage.

Works great under the downtube.

Just use a bottle with a lid unless you like the taste of cow pats.


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 2:09 pm
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When I had this setup, I tried multiple cages and they either didn’t work or didn’t last very long. The only one that did work and last was a fidlock but they are a bit expensive. 


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 2:15 pm
 Pyro
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The old-fashioned solution of a short loop of bungee or a hair bobble larks-footed round the end of the bottle cage and then looped onto the neck/valve of the bottle?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 2:18 pm
jonnyboi, zerocool, jonnyboi and 1 people reacted
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Why is snotrag riding through cow pats, maybe he's talking bullsssht.😀


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 2:27 pm
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Zee cage is a good bet but also check which bottle you are using. Some bottles fit some cages better than others - mostly down to where the indentation is. Obviously, Specialized bottles are a good fit. 


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 4:34 pm
kelvin and kelvin reacted
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not lost any of my fidlock bottles to date, including upside down mounted


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 4:46 pm
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This company seems to have put in a lot of thought into cages to suit the different forces at different locations on the bike https://dawntodusk.bike/cageecosystem/

But at that price you can afford to loose a few bottles.


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 10:58 pm
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Fidlock?


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 11:10 pm
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Have used a zee cage for this purpose, worked great but did eventually crack. Also, as they're side loading you have to order the opposite hand to the one you plan to use.


 
Posted : 12/12/2023 11:26 pm
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I find it very interesting that Fidlock is a German company and Specialized have Zee Cage ...


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 5:40 am
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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Fidlock works well on my bike with the same upside down mounting. It's easier to get the bottle out/back too, plus it has the added benefit of not making the bike look completely **** when riding without a bottle.


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 7:40 am
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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I've a Fidlock, works great, but yes expensive

Lezyne Powercages are very secure ime

https://ride.lezyne.com/products/1-bc-pole-v117

You could also just have a tough elastic band around your bottle and then hook it behind the upper part of the cage, above the upper bolt. Basically the same as a strap but less faff (and less secure).


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 7:45 am
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I had this issue on my Starling. Fidlock worked well but rattled loads, I assume as the bottle is being pulled away from the mount.

Tried numerous cages but have to settled for a Zee cage with a velcro strap to hold the bottle in.


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 8:04 am
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Bontrager does a cage made from recycled fishing nets, the Bat Cage, which is the single most ridiculously secure one I've ever encountered and now my default for mountain biking. It's much thicker than normal plastic cages and the added stiffness plus an effective shape means it does a proper pit bull-style job of holding onto bottles.  Twelve quid and ostensibly eco friendly with it:

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-water-bottles-cages/bike-water-bottle-cages/bontrager-bat-cage-water-bottle-cage/p/27863/


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 8:13 am
 IA
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King cage on my starling, mount under the top tube. Nice and tight without a strap but I can pull it out when needed.


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 8:26 am
zerocool and zerocool reacted
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The amount of sheep shit I clean off my downtube (and many other places), not a chance I would have a bottle there.

Everyone's rides are different though


 
Posted : 13/12/2023 11:26 pm
 IA
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Top tube, not down tube in the OP (and most reaponses)


 
Posted : 15/12/2023 9:12 am
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First thing I did when I bought my Cotic was to buy a Fidlock bottle.

No issues at all.

Some people say they rattle but had no major problems so far.

Bear in mind I only use it locally on hour or two rides.

Anything more I will probably use my Camelback.

Regards,

Max.


 
Posted : 17/12/2023 12:23 pm
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My Fidlock bottle also comes with a flip top lid to protect from cow shit. They also do a mount that straps to any tube on the bike and a universal mount with cords that can be used to hold any sized bottle, jacket, pouch, etc.


 
Posted : 17/12/2023 4:10 pm

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