Bottle cages for lefties

dermur

Anyone know where I could pick up left-side access bottle cages?

I like my 610ml bottles but the 52 frame means they don't come out of regular cages without a fight.

The only one I could find is this Elite one...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5652

...which I could order online if I have to but I'd prefer to pick up something locally (Kildare/Dublin) if possible.

Lumen

If I could get over the prices, I'd buy some Arundel cages:

http://www.arundelbike.com/sideloader.html?p=1.1.1.3
http://www.echelon-cycles.co.uk/equipment.html

doozerie

The otherSideloader from Arundel is another one for lefties (or for those who want two sideloaders on their frame which open out to the same side). I've not used it but I have two Arundel Mandibles and find them very good so far. Incidentally, I considered the Arundel Sideloader for my 52cm frame but went with the Mandible instead as it has two sets of mounting holes which allowed me to mount the cage lower on the seat tube and avoid my 710ml bottle catching (much) on the top tube. Any other brand of regular cage with dual mounting holes might work for you too.

I bought mine from Echelon Cycles in the UK as I don't think anyone stocks Arundel in Ireland.

AstraMonti

Even better and much lighter: http://www.vincero-design.com/products/edge16/

Downside, needs it's own (ugly) bottles.

el tel

Thanks to the OP for a most enlightening thread!

My mrs' bike has a tiny frame and she has been struggling to remove the bottle from the cage. (I say 'the' bottle fron 'the' cage as there is only room for one). I never realised there was a side loading cage until now. I think you have solved the problem of me having to ride along handing her drinks like a super domestique

I would go so far as to say the side-loading bottle cage is an revelation on a par with the night I discovered the phenomenon of the front opening brassiere

Lumen

AstraMonti wrote: »

Even better and much lighter: http://www.vincero-design.com/products/edge16/

Downside, needs it's own (ugly) bottles.

That's mad Ted.

doozerie

That Edge16 looks interesting but I am very wary of their claims that the "cage" will not lose a bottle. Considering you have to be able to remove and insert the bottle yourself on the move there is no such thing as a cage which will hold onto a bottle under any circumstances. I wouldn't fancy being tied to a particular bottle either - I quickly grew tired of bottles that leaked energy drink all over my frame ('cos I try to avoid cleaning it as much as possible) so I've gotten very fussy over choice of bottle and now specifically buy only those ones that don't leak (much) at all.

The Arundel Mandible claims to hold onto bottles in most circumstances too, but stops short of claiming it'll always succeed. My experience with it so far though is that it does hold bottles very well and I'd be very surprised if a bottle did ever fall out. The cost, of course, is that getting the bottles in and out myself is a little more work but not enough to cause me any problems at all so far though so the design is good. There is the financial cost too, of course, as they are not cheap but still cheaper than some carbon cages I encountered in local bike shops. I can't vouch for how long the Mandible cages will last though - I've been using mine for a few months now, though that only includes a handful of (club) races so they haven't had too much of a hammering. Still, they are going strong and show no signs at all of damage as yet.

Lumen

I use Specialized Rib Cages, of the plastic variety. They're cheap and very secure. I see Spesh do side-loaders too:

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p41450/Specialized-Zee-Cage-Side-Loading-Cage.aspx

Maybe call (or call into) Cycleways and check what they have in stock.

Bluefoam

In my day there was none of this nonsense. You were beaten until you used your right hand, and you were grateful of it...

dermur

Thanks for the suggestions, lads! Have to say I like that Specialized matt black one a lot.

Now if I could just get bottletops that screw on counterclockwise...

:pac:

dermur

Bluefoam wrote: »

In my day there was none of this nonsense. You were beaten until you used your right hand, and you were grateful of it...

True - Christian Brothers dropped the ball there for not knocking some right-handed sense into me.

manafana

do people not use their left hand to take the bottle anyway so that the hand for the rear break is still on handle bars should you have to stop?

Those side openers look suspect as mentoned i reckon bottle could come out. I have an adjustable bottle cage myself, fits different sizes as needed.

dermur

I remember my Dawes had the rear brake on the left although it's probably safe enough to assume that these days, left=front and right=rear.

The falling out bit is a concern alright. Especially with those oversized bottles. Taller and heavier => much easier to fall out when going over a bump.

Maybe I won't need them back home but those bottles are very handy here in China when there might be 10 miles between you and the next shop. One bottle for drinking and one for sloshing down the back of my neck. Aaaaaaaah...heaven.

Caroline_ie

AstraMonti

doozerie wrote: »

That Edge16 looks interesting but I am very wary of their claims that the "cage" will not lose a bottle. Considering you have to be able to remove and insert the bottle yourself on the move there is no such thing as a cage which will hold onto a bottle under any circumstances. I wouldn't fancy being tied to a particular bottle either - I quickly grew tired of bottles that leaked energy drink all over my frame ('cos I try to avoid cleaning it as much as possible) so I've gotten very fussy over choice of bottle and now specifically buy only those ones that don't leak (much) at all.

I remember reading a post from a guy that had these on an MTB and went out to the trails without any issues at all, but can't find it now. No idea how true this is though.

manwithaplan

manafana wrote: »

do people not use their left hand to take the bottle anyway so that the hand for the rear break is still on handle bars should you have to stop?

I wasn't aware that I was doing this but you're spot on. I have cheapo Specialized Zee bottle cages. Haven't dropped a bottle yet and they are easy to load and unload.

dermur

Lubbly Jubbly - found those Specialized Zee cages on Chinese version of ebay...

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6848261743

About 14 Euro sound reasonable enough?

dermur

Found a couple more...Zefal Wiiz & OGK RC8

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=170001




http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6669949493
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=9993411135

€3 can't be bad for those Zefal cages!

Lumen

manafana wrote: »

do people not use their left hand to take the bottle anyway so that the hand for the rear break is still on handle bars should you have to stop?

It's not a problem if you run euro brakes. In any case I find braking hard one-handed is very difficult so the back brake would be good enough.

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

It's not a problem if you run euro brakes. In any case I find braking hard one-handed is very difficult so the back brake would be good enough.

It's only a problem if you run euro brakes and want to pull the rear one surely Lumen (Right lever is rear brake, Left front brake on euro bikes?)

Lumen

TinyExplosions wrote: »

It's only a problem if you run euro brakes and want to pull the rear one surely Lumen (Right lever is rear brake, Left front brake on euro bikes?)

Yes, that's what I meant. If you're right handed and have euro brakes, your left hand can operate the front (left) brake, if you're right handed and have non-euro brakes, your left hand can operate the rear (left) brake. Either way braking isn't really a reason to use your left hand for the bottle, because if there's any chance of having to brake hard you'll need both hands on the bars.