Carbon Bottle Cages...

Avezius
Avezius Posts: 132
edited May 2011 in Road buying advice
As per title - I will need some & my requirements are:
1). Cost - cheap as chips.
2). Looks - got to not look cr@p.
3). Carbon - because I fancy it.

There's a massive selection on ebay from china (sellers mentioned in the epic "carbon frame" thread so should be fine) - under £15 for a pair.

Like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-pcs-Full-Carbon-MTB-Road-Bike-Bottle-Water-Cages-016-/250818081115?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item3a65ec315b

There is also a number of listings from a shop called "Carbonistauk". I assume they are buying in bulk from the usual sellers & selling on with a small margin - getting those people who fancy carbon stuff for cheap but don't fancy the chinese sellers &/or the 15-25 working day delivery estimates. These come in around £20 - £30 mark. Great feedback too.

Here's the shop: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/carbonistauk

I'm trying to decide if it's worth an extra £10 to get peace of mind? (assume it's the same kit).

Opinions welcome!

Thanks

Comments

  • blackpoolkev
    blackpoolkev Posts: 474
    You can get Pro-Lite carbon bottle cages at under £30 for 2 from Ribble at the moment(you would need to get two to trigger the extra 20% off orders over £35).Use the code "pro40" to get 40% off all Pro-Lite stock.Delivery included.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    You can get Pro-Lite carbon bottle cages at under £30 for 2 from Ribble at the moment(you would need to get two to trigger the extra 20% off orders over £35).Use the code "pro40" to get 40% off all Pro-Lite stock.Delivery included.

    Which one is that? I can see only 3 Pro Lite cages and the cheapest is £24 for one.

    I can give a big thumbs up to Carbonista. I bought a couple of cages from Carbonista. The first ones had a manufacturing flaw and they offered to send me some titanium bottle cage bolts as compensation for hassle and the return postage. When I said I still wanted some cages and picked a couple that were a few quid more expensive, he sent me those, and the bolts at no extra charge. Basically, a very decent bloke to deal with who won't let you go away unhappy!

    The cages do look nice but the varnish isn't very durable so the insides scratch up easily (does make me wonder about the frame lacquer on the cheap frames) - but you don't see that if the bottle is in place of course. I'll probably have a go at respraying the inners with car lacquer. Another point about the design I chose is that it is slightly difficult to put some bottles in - if the base is bevelled like a Camelbak Podium it is no problem but a squarer bottomed bottle needs a bit of a wiggle to get it in place! I think the ones he currently sells would probably be easier.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • blackpoolkev
    blackpoolkev Posts: 474
    Rolf F wrote:
    You can get Pro-Lite carbon bottle cages at under £30 for 2 from Ribble at the moment(you would need to get two to trigger the extra 20% off orders over £35).Use the code "pro40" to get 40% off all Pro-Lite stock.Delivery included.

    Which one is that? I can see only 3 Pro Lite cages and the cheapest is £24 for one.

    The Pro-Lite Bassano bottle cage list price is £29.99 if you buy one.

    If you buy 2, you then get 20% discount because your basket is over £35,thus making it £48 for 2.

    At the checkout enter the promo code "pro40",this knocks off a further 40% giving a final price of £28.79
  • Ciclicasati
    Ciclicasati Posts: 740
    Exactly the same, just the lead in time is different. Depends if you want them now or £10 now.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    The Pro-Lite Bassano bottle cage list price is £29.99 if you buy one.

    If you buy 2, you then get 20% discount because your basket is over £35,thus making it £48 for 2.

    At the checkout enter the promo code "pro40",this knocks off a further 40% giving a final price of £28.79

    Ahh, I thought there was a bit of overlap on the discounts of discounts! TBH, I'd be tempted to go with those rather than the Chinese ones. They don't look as nice IMO but they probably have more durable lacquer (or not as the case may be....). They also have the little rubber bits to help keep the bottle in which the Carbonista ones don't (not that they don't hold the bottles well).
    Faster than a tent.......
  • thisischris
    thisischris Posts: 43
    Try Superstar conponents:

    http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=395

    £20 and free P&P

    Hope that helps!
  • Avezius
    Avezius Posts: 132
    Thanks guys - opinions much appreciated.
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    I got a pair of Chinese cages for £15 all in, they arrived in a couple of weeks and look great, time will tell how good but they have worked well so far.
    Scott CR-1 (FCN 4)
    Pace RC200 FG Conversion (FCN 5)
    Giant Trance X

    My collection of Cols
  • Tucky
    Tucky Posts: 34
    Planet X have a deal on, I paid 30 quid for 2 carbon cages (VAT free though, so will be a bit more).
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    Tucky wrote:
    Planet X have a deal on, I paid 30 quid for 2 carbon cages (VAT free though, so will be a bit more).

    Also have the PX cages. Paid £30 for the pair Matt cages. Grip really well and appear pretty strong.

    http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/BOPXPC/ ... ottle-cage
    Simon
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Butterd2 wrote:
    I got a pair of Chinese cages for £15 all in, they arrived in a couple of weeks and look great, time will tell how good but they have worked well so far.

    Do they hold a bottle?
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    Has anyone bought the Pro Lite cages from Ribble yet?
    I got my 2 from Ribble today

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ROLBOTC100

    With the discount code, it cost £33 for 2 which I was happy enough with.

    One thing though, and possibly a daft question, but...should there be nice new, shiny lacquer all over the cage?
    Unwrapped mine today and the inside of the cage is quite rough in places. No lacquer or carbon look. My immediate thought was that it had been used.
    I know that it would get like that anyway and there was the big discount but it's not the point if Ribble are punting 'shop soiled' on the cheap.

    I have contacted Ribble but waiting for a reply.

    Cheers
  • shane r
    shane r Posts: 326
    Bought two for £14 all in from eBay/China. Perfect and arrived in 6 days.
    Coupla Road Bikes
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    bought a pair this week - no name , no fancy patterns, just beautifully glossy Carbon

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-full-carbon-roa ... 500wt_1156

    next day delivery too
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    I have bought a number of Carbon Bottle cages from China, the cheapest for £0.99 and £6 postage and they have all been brilliant.

    Question...where do you think everyone else buys them from?
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    Hi,
    Has anyone got a cheapish carbon cage that has a cut out section between the cage bolts?
    My 2nd bike has a braze on front mech so I can't fit certain cages to the seat tube because of the hanger getting in the way.

    Thanks
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    Hi,
    Based on my question above, can I use washers or something to make this cage fit.
    Looking at other cages, most of them wouldn't fit my seat tube.
    This can't be right? Is this just my frame, a Giant TCR Composite?

    Thanks
  • RowCycle
    RowCycle Posts: 367
    How about this one:
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-record-bottle-cage/

    £130 well spent (or not) :lol:
  • Supergoose
    Supergoose Posts: 1,089
    Carbon cages are a waste of money. Been there, done that. Pro's dont even bother with them. Get yourself some Tacx Tao's or Elite Race's. Ideal and a fraction of the price of carbon.
    Rock 'n' Roule
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    I've got Tacx Tao's at the moment...well one after I broke the other.
    Thought I'd treat myself and save a few gs with the carbons but then realised why I had the Tacx....with the cut out bit they fit ok.

    I'm sure it's me being daft...or my mech hanger is too big? :oops: :?
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 21,382
    Supergoose wrote:
    Carbon cages are a waste of money. Been there, done that. Pro's dont even bother with them. Get yourself some Tacx Tao's or Elite Race's. Ideal and a fraction of the price of carbon.
    Sssshhhh! Thou shalt not speak of the aluminium bottle cage amongst believers (however cheap, practical, light and stylishly simple they are.)