Best Rear Hydration Bottle Cages?

David Leventhal

I've got a profile designs rear cage mount for two bottles & I've been very underwhelmed. I've lost 1/2 dozen bottles; maybe more. Any opinions on the best cages (I'd like two behind the seat) & bottle combination? Appreciate any help.

jello4

Have you considered swapping the Profile Design cages for XLab Gorilla XT cages? They're expensive, but they sure do hold on tight - I have not lost a bottle since switching to them. Also, it does help to scuff-up your bottles a bit - adds a little friction to the mix.

Dawn Cass

I would second the xlab ones...I have never lost a bottle, even over rough train tracks! You should also buy their bottles however. A bit pricey for a bottle however they a little bit slimmer and fit in the cage perfect. I found if using normal ones, they still jumped out.

Shaughn Simmons

David,

I use the Profile, full carbon, rear cages and never lost a bottle to date over the last 4 years.  Key is to pay for the full carbon, they are much tighter on the bottle and lighter than traditional cages.

SS

Marceloperod

David I just lost the entire rack, it just cracked in the mount, after like you said, lost a lot of bottles and time picking them up. just go to gorilla cage, more expensive but a much better option.

Michael Crosby

David, I used to have the Profile Design mount and cages. The fastening bolt on the mount sheared once (probably due to over tightening as much as poor design) and the whole mount fell off. Within a year the gripping power of the cages diminished as well, and I started losing bottles on potholes and train tracks. A month ago, I switched to an Xlab mount and the Gorilla XT cages. I completed IMCHOO a couple of weeks ago and that course has numerous train track crossings with water bottles strewn all over the road. My bottles never budged and I was using the Gatorade Endurance bottles that were being handed out on course. You know how flimsy those bottles are, especially after you've opened them and taken a sip. These cages still held them tight.

David Leventhal

Great feedback y'all. Thanks for jumping in to share your perspective. Man I love this team!

Mike Roberts

David, if you're just looking to add new cages that won't launch anything under any condition and money's no issue, the Gorilla XTs are no-brainers.  The grip is something silly like 14 or 15 lbs.  If you don't want to spend 3 figures on silly bottle cages, people also like the Specialized Rib Cages and Bontrager RL Tris, both of which I've heard are no-launch as well.  I think both of the latter are $20 or less.

Mike Roberts

David, if you're just looking to add new cages that won't launch anything under any condition and money's no issue, the Gorilla XTs are no-brainers.  The grip is something silly like 14 or 15 lbs.  If you don't want to spend 3 figures on silly bottle cages, people also like the Specialized Rib Cages and Bontrager RL Tris, both of which I've heard are no-launch as well.  I think both of the latter are $20 or less.

Ralph Moore

I second (or third) the X-Lab Gorilla cages. Worth the money.

Peter Noyes

I 4th!

For Wisconsin I raced with a single X-Lab cage behind the seat. Instead of a bottle I put a gear can in there that had all my repair stuff. The setup meant no more seat post bag, and didn't have to worry about taping stuff under my seat. For training rides it is a great place to stash a 3rd bottle.

dnesom

I had the same problem with the profile design one, losing bottle after bottle for the smallest bumps in the road. My not so pretty solution was to add a couple of heavy duty rubber bands that I loop over the top of the bottles. Not elegant but it works. When I'm ready to by a new one it won't be another profile design.

David Leventhal

Okay...so I went out at lunch and bought the Gorilla cages and the XLAB mount. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for all your feedback.

jaleslie

DL....the Austin bike course is the ultimate test of bottle cages!

scott dinhofer

@Mike Roberts - i would say no go on the Specialized Ribs. I have them on my Roadbike, great application there. Had one mounted on my btb mount a couple of years ago, major fail. Not sure I'd use them on the rear carrier. Go gorilla and forget about it!