Side-entry cages exist for frames too small for a top-loading one

The best bike bottles and cages for 2026

On a small frame the bottle does not come out, which is the whole reason side-entry cages exist: they release the bottle sideways where there is no room to lift it clear. Beyond that, cages differ mostly in material and retention — a light carbon or composite cage can hold less firmly on rough ground than a slightly heavier alloy one. We compare access direction, cage material and how it mounts — including the strap-mounted cages that are the only answer for a frame with no bottle bosses at all — bottle volume, and whether bottles are dishwasher safe, which decides how they get cleaned in practice. Three of the cages here publish a weight, from 25 g (0.9 oz) of carbon to 48 g (1.7 oz) of machined alloy; the rest do not.

By Jean-Benoit Buisson

What we recommend

M-Wave BC aluminum bottle cage

The cheapest cage here: 6 mm (0.24 in) aluminum on standard frame bosses, shaped to hold a bottle securely over rough ground.

Material
Aluminum, 6 mm (0.24 in) diameter
Mounting
Standard frame bosses
Color
Black
Amazon reference
B07JJDPTZ2 (identical on 6 markets)
EAN
4015493890430
- Rank 564, and the cheapest item in this hub
- Aluminum rather than plastic, so it can be bent slightly to adjust the grip
- Top-entry only, which is a problem on a small frame
Best for: Any frame with bottle bosses, as the cheapest cage that will not rattle.

≈ $38
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FiveBox Alloy cages, pair, 56–71 mm (2.20 to 2.80 in) bolt spacing

A pair of aluminum bottle cages for bottles 68.9 to 76.2 mm (2.71 to 3 in) in diameter, with a 56 to 71 mm (2.20 to 2.80 in) mounting bolt range.

Contents
2 cages and 2 screws
Material
Aluminum alloy — grade not stated
Bottle diameter
68.9 to 76.2 mm (2.71 to 3 in)
Bolt spacing
56 to 71 mm (2.20 to 2.80 in) — the only figure on this shelf
Tool needed
4 mm (0.16 in) hex key, not included
Bottle volumes stated
23 to 28 oz, and taller 30 oz
Access
Top entry
Weight
Not published
Alloy grade
Not published
Frame requirement
Threaded bottle bosses
Amazon reference
B01DIX10QS
EAN
0712321369734
- Publishes the mounting bolt range, 56–71 mm (2.20 to 2.80 in) — unique on this shelf
- Publishes the bottle diameter window in millimeters, not just volumes
- No weight, where two cages here publish one
Best for: A frame whose bosses are not exactly 64 mm (2.52 in) apart

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Rose Kuli Bottle cages, pair, polycarbonate

A pair of polycarbonate cages with a curved multi-point design, flexing to suit a range of bottle sizes.

Quantity
2 cages
Material
Polycarbonate
Design
Curved, multi-point contact
Amazon reference
B0D142YHTS (identical on 6 markets)
EAN
6970834335781
- A pair, which is what most frames with two sets of bosses actually need
- Polycarbonate flexes to grip different bottle diameters
- Plastic cannot be adjusted by bending, unlike a wire cage
Best for: Fitting both sets of bosses on a frame in one purchase.

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PRO BIKE TOOL Machined alloy cage, 48 g (1.7 oz), 500–950 ml

A CNC-machined aluminum bottle cage at 48 g (1.7 oz), flexing about five millimeters to hold bottles from 500 to 950 ml.

Material
CNC-machined aluminum alloy, heat treated
Weight
48 g (1.7 oz) — published
Bottle volume
500 to 950 ml (20–33 oz)
Flex
±0.2 inch (about ±5 mm)
Insulated bottles
Yes — named explicitly
Mounting
Oval holes for adjustment, 2 stainless bolts
Finish
Polished and powder coated
Contents
1 cage
Access
Top entry
Alloy grade
Not published
Bolt spacing
Not published as a figure
Amazon reference
B01K2BOUN4
EAN
0646437580427
- Publishes a weight, 48 g (1.7 oz), where this shelf previously had none
- The widest bottle range here, and the only one to name insulated bottles
- Sold singly, at more per cage than the two alloy pairs here
Best for: A bike carrying an insulated bottle, or a frame needing the cage positioned low

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SKS GERMANY ANYWHERE TOPCAGE with straps

A cage that mounts with straps on tubes up to 80 mm (3.15 in) as well as on standard bosses — the answer for a frame with no bottle mounts.

Mounting
Straps for tubes up to 80 mm (3.15 in), or standard bosses
Material
Plastic
Included
Straps supplied
Manufacture
Germany
Amazon reference
B0144NTZOU (identical on 6 markets)
EAN
0783778961833
- Mounts on frames with no bottle bosses at all, which nothing else here does
- Straps covering tube diameters up to 80 mm (3.15 in), so a fork leg or a seatpost works
- The most expensive cage here
Best for: A frame with no bottle bosses, or adding a second bottle somewhere a frame has no mounts.

≈ $25
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ThinkTop 3K T800 carbon cages, pair, ~25 g (0.9 oz) each

A pair of 3K T800 carbon fiber bottle cages at about 25 grams each, for bottles 71 to 75 millimeters in diameter.

Material
3K T800 carbon fiber
Weight
About 25 g (0.9 oz) a cage; 68 g (2.4 oz) the pair shipped
Contents
2 cages, black stainless screws
Cage diameter
7.2 cm (2.8 in)
Bottle diameter
71 to 75 mm (2.80 to 2.95 in) — a 4 mm (0.16 in) window
Reinforcement
Three extra layers of cloth at the arms and base
Price per cage
$13.99 — the most expensive here
Access
Top entry
Bolt spacing
Not published
Torque figure
Not published
Insulated bottles
Not claimed
Amazon reference
B07D6NCQCP
EAN
0611029696190
- About 25 g (0.9 oz) a cage — half a machined alloy cage
- Its maker states which part used to break, and what was added to fix it
- A 4 mm (0.16 in) bottle window, the tightest on this page
Best for: A weight-conscious road bike with a bottle whose diameter has been measured

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CNC 6061 alloy cages, pair

A pair of 6061 aluminum bottle cages for bottles from 600 to 800 ml, each supplied with two screws.

Contents
2 cages, 2 screws per cage
Material
6061 aluminum alloy — the only grade named here
Bottle volumes
600, 650, 750 and 800 ml (20.3–27 oz)
Price per cage
$8.00
Bottle contact
Wrap-around arms, "less likely to scratch"
Access
Top entry
Weight
Not published
Bottle diameter
Not published
Bolt spacing
Not published
Finish or anodizing
Not published
Amazon reference
B08G4P5NZ3
EAN
0191170975202
- Names 6061, which is the alloy that holds a temper and so keeps its spring
- Two screws per cage — four in the box, so the job can be finished
- No weight, where three cages on this page publish one
Best for: A pair of cages for standard 600 to 800 ml bottles, fitted in one go

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ROCKBROS Polycarbonate cage, 30–35 g (1.1 to 1.2 oz), with wrench

A polycarbonate bottle cage weighing 30 to 35 grams, supplied with two screws and a 3 mm (0.12 in) Allen wrench.

Material
Polycarbonate
Weight
30 g (1.1 oz) on the record, 35 g (1.2 oz) in the listing
Contents
1 cage, 2 screws, 3 mm (0.12 in) Allen wrench
Fitting time
Under 60 seconds, stated
Bottle finish
Stated not to scratch or mark the bottle
Frame finish
Stated not to abrade the frame
Bottles
20–21 oz, plus disposable bottles — no diameter given
Frame requirement
Threaded bosses — stated in capitals
Access
Top entry
Bottle diameter
Not published
Bolt spacing
Not published
Amazon reference
B0B1J2Q5WD
EAN
0648568478567
- The only cage here supplied with the Allen key to fit it
- Polycarbonate marks neither the bottle nor the frame, which alloy can
- Publishes 30 g (1.1 oz) and 35 g (1.2 oz) for the same cage
Best for: A first cage on a frame with bosses, fitted in a minute with no tool to find

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For which need, in bottles and cages

Drinking without stopping

A bottle reachable with one hand is what makes you actually drink while riding. It is the simplest and most decisive equipment on a long ride.

SKS GERMANY 11231

Holding the bottle on a rough track

A flexible cage drops the bottle at the first root crossing. Retention comes from the stated material, stiff carbon or soft plastic, more than from the shape.

CNC 20210527003

For whom, within bottles and cages

Long ride: Two cages double the range without stopping. It is the first thing to do as distances grow.
Small frame: A small frame sometimes only takes one bottle, or a reduced size. Side-entry cages often settle the problem.
Rough terrain: A cage that holds badly ejects the bottle over vibrations. Retention matters more than weight.

What each advantage costs, on bottles and cages

Retention against ease of removal: A cage that holds firmly takes more effort to get the bottle out one-handed. On a mountain bike retention comes first; on the road, ease.
Plastic against composite: Plastic deforms and springs back; composite is lighter and snaps on an impact. Aluminum bends and can be bent back by hand.
Large bottle against clearance: A large-capacity bottle does not fit every frame. The size is checked on the bike, not on paper.

Before buying bottles and cages

How many bottles should I carry?

Two on a long ride or in hot weather. Dehydration degrades performance well before thirst is felt.

How do I clean a bottle?

Taken apart, cap included, with a bottle brush. The cap is what develops a deposit fastest, and it comes apart on most models.

Do insulated bottles keep cold long?

A few hours depending on the outside temperature, and far less in full sun. They also hold less for the same external volume.

My bottle jumps out over bumps — what do I do?

The cage lacks retention, or the bottle is under the standard diameter. A tighter cage settles the problem.

Can I put something other than a drink in it?

Storage bottles for tools and a tube exist and occupy a cage. It is a common use.

Does a cage damage the frame?

Fitting without a washer or over-tightening can pull out an insert, carbon especially. The tightening torque is stated and low.

Do I need side-entry cages?

On a small frame where the bottle will not come out vertically, it is often the only solution.

Can a cage be added where there are no bosses?

Clamp adaptors allow a cage on a tube with no insert. On a carbon frame the clamp pressure needs a spreader plate, or it marks the tube.

What to remember about bottles and cages

Two bottles as soon as the ride gets long: dehydration degrades performance before thirst is felt. The cap comes apart and develops the deposit fastest, and a cage's tightening torque is low — a carbon insert pulls out.

A quick look at bottles and cages

Weight: 25 to 48 g (1.7 oz) — published, on 3 of the 8 models.

Bottles and cages in one table

To appear here, a characteristic has to be stated by four items in five. Short of that, the column would mostly say nobody publishes.

Model	Price	Material
SKS GERMANY 11231	$25	Plastic
M-Wave 13408831	$38	Aluminum, 6 mm (0.24 in) diameter
CNC 20210527003	—	6061 aluminum alloy — the only grade named here
FiveBox ZM-04	—	Aluminum alloy — grade not stated
PRO BIKE TOOL PBT-WBH	—	CNC-machined aluminum alloy, heat treated
ROCKBROS 31210007001-CBR	—	Polycarbonate
Rose Kuli P171	—	Polycarbonate
ThinkTop Full carbon cage, pair	—	3K T800 carbon fiber

Sources and how we rank

Specifications: manufacturer sheets for bike gear and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.

Most recent revision in this category: October 6, 2026.

How we assess bottles and cages

Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.