Bottles and Cages
As with any form of physical activity, when cycling it is important that you stay hydrated. So naturally, bike bottles and cages are a must have accessory for anyone who rides a bike!
Leading sports hydration companies like Camelbak, Deuter and Polar have taken state of the art manufacturing techniques and materials and applied them to the humble water bottle. This new generation of hydration bottles are very different from the common old bottle we once used and the freebies companies give away as promotional bottles. Bike bottles from leading manufactures use special materials like TruTaste polypropylene with Hydroguard permanent anti bacterial protection to keep your water tasting fresh and the germs at bay! Unlike normal plastic bottles, the new generation bottles are food safe, are designed to be reused and dishwasher safe; yep that's right, bottles should be cleaned every time you use them! If you only own one water bottle, buy a couple more so you have a clean one ready to go at all times.
Bike bottles are designed so the rider can remove them from their cage and drink while riding along. If you are new to cycling then be careful as drinking while riding requires some skill so it is a good idea to practice your drinking technique in a quiet local street and get it down pat before you try it on busier roads and bikeways. If you are not a confident rider it is a good idea to just pull over, stop and have a drink; the minute it takes to do this is better than wandering into a cars path or knocking someone over on a shared path!
A bottle cage is an accessory that allows you to mount your water bottle to your bicycle. Bottle Cages are manufactured from a wide range of materials like plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium and carbon fiber. Aluminum and carbon bottle cages are the most common and brands like Elite produce a wide range of styles and colours that will suit your tastes and your budget. Modern bicycles have threaded holes in the main frame to hold the bottle cage. They are often called braze ons. They might be welded, glued, riveted, or moulded into the frame material. Older bicycles, kids bikes and some less expensive bikes may not have this features; to cater for this there are bottle cages with special clamps that enable them to be mounted to the handlebars or behind the seat.
