More comments on bottle cages for Ti frame wanted

[dekindy]

I received a lot of nice recommendations on bottle cage recommendations for my new polished Ti Legend frame in a previous thread. Unfortunately I can not find any of them locally so I would have to order without seeing them.

An LBS has these in stock.
http://www.elite-it.com/jsp/c-Prodotti.jsp?FAM=3&LANG=ENG

This LBS sponsors a ride tonight so I can see in person how they would look on my frame. I was wondering if anyone else had seen them in person and had an opinion or could compare them to other recommendations. They are $34.95 and on sale this weekend for $29.95.

I was leaning toward the King stainless, $14.95 and still on sale for $11.95 at biketiresdirect.com or the King Ti which are more than I would like to pay but would probably buy if I could confirm they look the best.

Other recommendations that I thought I might like are the Blackburn Chicane and Nitto bottle cages, all in stainless steel.

[xjoex]

I have a blackburn chicane stainless, it looks just almost as nice as the king. They both hold bottles... I have two kings on my cross bike during non cross season.

Downtube: King Stainless
Seattube: Blackburn Chicane
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/boulderjoe/bikes/100_0852.jpg

Hope that helps.
-Joe

[rwsaunders]

Joe...was your photo taken in Sewickley Heights or near the Zoo?

[xjoex]

Joe...was your photo taken in Sewickley Heights or near the Zoo?

Schenely Park - Serpentine Dr, last Saturday like 15 minutes before the snow starting coming down.

-Joe

[Michael Maddox]

Here's the Delta Inox. Although the photos of these cages make them look a little "blueish," I think these are some of the better looking cages out there. They look great with silver details, as my painted Ti frame has.

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=4

That said, I'm also using King Cages in Ti.

[rwsaunders]

Schenely Park - Serpentine Dr, last Saturday like 15 minutes before the snow starting coming down.

-Joe Got it.

[dekindy]

I was finally able to find some reviews of the Elite cages. Apparently they break at the welds regularly. But everyone agrees they look great.

Colorado Cyclist has these on closeout but I cannot tell which model. Probably not a good choice if they break.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/YEZ-ALL-001

[Blue Jays]

dekindy, the wonderful King Cage Ti looks absolutely perfect attached to a titanium frame.
It's lightweight, outrageously strong, grips bottles well, and doesn't mark them as much as other materials:

http://www.kingcage.com/Cage2.jpg

[92degrees]

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5027/yhst8422422624217719883ue9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Blue Jays]

Forgot to add the hyperlink for King Cage (http://www.kingcage.com/Home.html#) made in beautiful Durango, Colorado.
My favorite LBS was able to secure them as a supplier. Wonderful craftsmanship.

[Jeff N.]

I always like to match bottle cages (on Ti Frames) with whatever color the decals are. A Legend Ti frame with red decals, for example, gets red Elite Ciussi bottle cages. Works for me! Certainly never have had a breakage problem, and ALL my bikes have 'em. Jeff N.

[dekindy]

dekindy, the wonderful King Cage Ti looks absolutely perfect attached to a titanium frame.
It's lightweight, outrageously strong, grips bottles well, and doesn't mark them as much as other materials:

http://www.kingcage.com/Cage2.jpg

Ron at King Cages offered to polish a Ti cage for me. Do you think I should try that or go with the standard finish?

[Blue Jays]

dekindy, good question. The titanium King Cages that I have appear fairly well-buffed without additional handpolishing by Ron. It certainly doesn't have a "mirror" finish yet it does gleam very nicely.
The beauty is in the clean lines and smoothly-joined parts of the cage. It mates perfectly with the grayish-silver of a titanium frame, whether raw finish or clearcoated.

[LegendRider]

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5027/yhst8422422624217719883ue9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

How do you post such a large and clear image with the file size restrictions?

[Chris]

If you aren't getting an Arundel cage, then you are simply dragging out the time and cost until you do...

[92degrees]

How do you post such a large and clear image with the file size restrictions?

I hosted it off-site at ImageShack

[Elefantino]

Buy the cheapest stainless cage you can buy.

Spend more on things that matter atmo.

[rwsaunders]

To paraphrase ERichie...it's not about the bottle cage, it's about the bottle.

[Ken Robb]

FWIW, the large clear photo is of a Nitto stainless, available from Rivendell. They are gorgeous, work well, don't mark bottles. Leslie has them on her bike. They were "jewelry" gifts from me. I can't afford them for my bikes. :rolleyes:

[dekindy]

I already have Serotta water bottles and will accept more if somebody wants to give me a bicycle warming gift. :)

[dekindy]

Buy the cheapest stainless cage you can buy.

Spend more on things that matter atmo.

I have literally everything else! I don't plan on setting foot in an LBS or looking on-line either unless it is to buy new tires, tubes, maintenance, etc.

[labratmatt]

I picked up a set of the Bontrager Race Lite bottle cages a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier. They hold the bottle much more firmly than any alloy cage I've had, they look nice, and they're pretty inexpensive. Nothing but good things to say about these cages.

[dekindy]

If you aren't getting an Arundel cage, then you are simply dragging out the time and cost until you do...

I appreciate that. Dave Powers at Serotta recommended those or Zipps. The King were the only wire ones he recommended.

[chuckred]

I've had a couple on my old bike for a few years. They're yellow... they hold water bottles. They look good. Not sure what would cause a cage to break under normal use (although on a mountain bike it's a different story).

[Blue Jays]

I run titanium cages on titanium bikes, carbon fiber cages on carbon fiber bikes, and aluminum cages on vintage steel bikes. New steel bikes will likely receive titanium cages as well.

[jerk]

I received a lot of nice recommendations on bottle cage recommendations for my new polished Ti Legend frame in a previous thread. Unfortunately I can not find any of them locally so I would have to order without seeing them.

An LBS has these in stock.
http://www.elite-it.com/jsp/c-Prodotti.jsp?FAM=3&LANG=ENG

This LBS sponsors a ride tonight so I can see in person how they would look on my frame. I was wondering if anyone else had seen them in person and had an opinion or could compare them to other recommendations. They are $34.95 and on sale this weekend for $29.95.

I was leaning toward the King stainless, $14.95 and still on sale for $11.95 at biketiresdirect.com or the King Ti which are more than I would like to pay but would probably buy if I could confirm they look the best.

Other recommendations that I thought I might like are the Blackburn Chicane and Nitto bottle cages, all in stainless steel.


wow, you got the opportunity to save three whole dollars on a king stainless cage? does bike tires direct sponsor a ride too? better jump on that.....

its a bottle cage dude-get the kings from your bike shop.

jerk

[dekindy]

wow, you got the opportunity to save three whole dollars on a king stainless cage? does bike tires direct sponsor a ride too? better jump on that.....

its a bottle cage dude-get the kings from your bike shop.

jerk

Nobody stocks the King's locally. Those are Biketiresdirect list and discount prices.

[davids]

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/boulderjoe/bikes/100_0852.jpgBeautiful photo!

...It would look even better with Tacx Tao cages in it. ;)

[vaxn8r]

There is no need to polish a King ti cage. It is a perfect match for the Serotta finish. It's the perfect cage for a Legend period.

[Gothard]

If you get the Elite, make sure it is the stainless steel, not the alloy one, which is crude and marks bottles immediately.
That said, any SS cage works everywhere and looks classy.

[Fat Robert]

its just a bottle cage

buy a couple of silver ones from the local shop and ride your bike

[IXXI]

.

[WadePatton]

I bought some King Cages in Portland. Then I ordered some direct from King Cage after I got home.

I polished one of the SS cages...but I might pay to have Ti polished.

Either way, no more Al cages for me ever.

His Tirons are the shiznit too :banana:

[I Want Sachs?]

King Iris cages work better for me than the original ones.

[MilanoTom]

Nobody stocks the King's locally. Those are Biketiresdirect list and discount prices.

A) Your LBS can order them;
B) Your LBS can probably get them as quickly as you can get them from the internet;
C) Don't be such a friggin' miser ATMO.

[Ken Robb]

the funny thing I ran into with LBS whose owner is a pal: he told me he'd prefer that his customers buy stuff like this on the net if he doesn't stock it because it's more trouble for him to order small items than it's worth to him.

[Grant McLean]

If you get the Elite, make sure it is the stainless steel, not the alloy one, which is crude and marks bottles immediately.
That said, any SS cage works everywhere and looks classy.

+1000

http://www.elite-it.com/jsp/c-Prodotti.jsp?ID=0972501

-g

[Dekonick]

velo orange has some worth looking at...

www.veloorange.com

[DarrenCT]

its just a bottle cage

buy a couple of silver ones from the local shop and ride your bike

good pointmo

3 pages of this thread and its still going

[DarrenCT]

King Iris cages work better for me than the original ones.


totally proper on a classic bike

[shanerpvt]

the funny thing I ran into with LBS whose owner is a pal: he told me he'd prefer that his customers buy stuff like this on the net if he doesn't stock it because it's more trouble for him to order small items than it's worth to him.

This is the problem I run into. Most of the stuff I want isn't in stock. Sometimes I ask them to order me items under $50 and I get the feeling it is a hassle. I'm in the next week and it missed that order cycle...........I want to do biz with the LBS, but shouldn't have to wait 2-3 weeks for something simple.

I don't know the answer, but ordering the cages direct from King Cage couldn't be that much different than supporting your favorite custom builder.......more money in the small business's pockets.

just a thought,

shaner

[dekindy]

+1000

http://www.elite-it.com/jsp/c-Prodotti.jsp?ID=0972501

-g

Thanks Grant and Gothard. I looked at it this evening and confirmed that it is the model you are referencing. I could not decide if it worth it to pay $30 each for these or less than half that for the King stainless steel. These are 4mm and I was hoping they were 5mm. How much of a difference would this make if any?

[dekindy]

King Iris cages work better for me than the original ones.

Thank you and Darin for that also. I just saw those on the King website marked as a new item and wondered about them. I guess since they are made by King it is a good bet that they are a quality product.

[dekindy]

There is no need to polish a King ti cage. It is a perfect match for the Serotta finish. It's the perfect cage for a Legend period.

Man, that looks great! Thanks for the picture.

[dekindy]

I ordered some King Stainless Steel cages. Thanks for everyone's input. I just wish an LBS stocked any of these. The Ciussi Inox was the only one stocked and a riding buddy said they looked like mountain bike cages and I would be subject to much ridicule! Now the usual wait begins.

[Blue Jays]

dekindy, the King cages possess smooth, attractive, and even welds. They are a wonderful example of American craftsmanship and you'll completely enjoy them. Good choice. :beer:

[fiamme red]

I had a weld fail on a King stainless steel cage. Had to use duct tape to keep it together until I got home. I still have a set of Kings on one bike, but from now on I'm now buying American Classic cages: no welds to fail.

[stevep]

4 pages on bottle holders?

wow.

[Blue Jays]

American Classic does make nice cages as well...just not out of sleek titanium.
I have them on my older bikes before they started with the flattened section and color detail.

[dekindy]

4 pages on bottle holders?

wow.

Hey, this is important stuff. A water bottle cage can make or break the bike! :D

[MilanoTom]

Hey, this is important stuff. A water bottle cage can make or break the bike! :D

Good thing that nobody looking at the image gallery noticed that I have Blackburn stainless cages on my Sachs. They might even be the MTB version. The horror.

[palincss]

FWIW, the large clear photo is of a Nitto stainless, available from Rivendell. They are gorgeous, work well, don't mark bottles. Leslie has them on her bike. They were "jewelry" gifts from me. I can't afford them for my bikes. :rolleyes:

I have them on two bikes. They are absolutely marvelous - best looking, best functioning water bottle cages I've ever used. Jewelry is right, they are simply beautiful. They'd dress up any beautiful bike. They don't belong on screaming ugly monstrosities, though.

[palincss]

King Iris cages work better for me than the original ones.

King Iris cages are the very best ones you can use on under-the-downtube mounts. The weight of the bottle has zero tendency to stretch the cage open.

[jbl]

I got my Salsa bottle cages (http://www.velo-orange.com/sawaboca.html) from Velo Orange and have been super happy with them. They hold bottles firmly, but bottles are still easy to take out. They look sharp too.

velo orange has some worth looking at...

www.veloorange.com

[dekindy]

I was outside talking to the neighbors when UPS delivered my King Stainless Steel cages. I had them installed on the bike in minutes. They look marvelous! Thanks again for everyone's comments.

[Blue Jays]

Some nice grease on the threads in case of any dripping water or athletic drink is a safe final touch.
Nylon spacers 1/4" long x 1/2" outside diameter x .194" inside diameter helps raise the cages slightly off the frame to allow easy cleaning. Enjoy!

[thinpin]

Check out these beauties for somthing a little exotic, they come in silver too:-
http://www.specialites-ta.com/produits/pte_bidon_gb.htm

[dekindy]

Here is a picture with the new cages and a close-up. I think I did alright!

See #24 for a picture with the old black Giant water bottle cages that were given free with the purchase of my Fierte complete bike.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=40570&page=2&pp=15

[FMS_rider]

I had a weld fail on a King stainless steel cage. Had to use duct tape to keep it together until I got home. I still have a set of Kings on one bike, but from now on I'm now buying American Classic cages: no welds to fail.My lbs guru has said that the Iris King stainless cages have been redesigned to eliminate the weld-failure problem. He stopped stocking them last year when that problem because apparent, but now has re-stocked with the new ones --the change they made is to add a small bend that takes the stress off the weld.

Lew

[FMS_rider]

Here's the Delta Inox. Although the photos of these cages make them look a little "blueish," I think these are some of the better looking cages out there. They look great with silver details, as my painted Ti frame has.

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=4

That said, I'm also using King Cages in Ti.I have been looking for months now for a Ti cage with this shape (similar to the King Cage Iris). The only one I am aware of was discontinued at least a year ago. I asked this question once before here with no luck. Have I missed something?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Lew

[Skrawny]

dekindy, the wonderful King Cage Ti looks absolutely perfect attached to a titanium frame.
It's lightweight, outrageously strong, grips bottles well, and doesn't mark them as much as other materials:

http://www.kingcage.com/Cage2.jpg

I have the same & I love it. Can pick the bike up by the cage, it's that strong.

-s