Bottle & Cage Buying Guide

Water is one of the most important elements in any athlete's performance, our bodies are made up of  60% water - and it’s easy to know when we are becoming dehydrated - our bodies can not perform physically or mentally at their best. Regardless of the cycling activity you are carrying out, from racing to commuting - it’s important to remember to stay hydrated and replenish the water lost through sweat and physical exertion. 

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a massive range of cycling bottles and cages - designed for all kinds of different cycling. The vast majority of bottles that we supply are made from lightweight plastics, which provides the perfect material for lightweight and tough water bottles. 

These bottles are available in a couple of different sizes, with the most popular sizes being 500ml and 750ml.  Other differences include obvious designs, with many water bottles featuring colour schemes and brands which match your bike, as well as different bottle mouths - which can either be larger or small depending upon preferences. 

Although some riders choose to carry their bottles on their body, with the help of bike rucksacks or belts - most riders choose to fix their water bottle to their bike by using a bottle cage which is fitted to the frame of the bike. 

Bottle cages are mounted to threaded holes which can be found on the frames of most bikes, including mountain bikes and road bikes. These mounts can be on the downtube - as well as on the underside of the top tube. 

Materials of these cages vary depending upon their purpose and use, with most made from lightweight aluminum or plastic. At the top of the range, there’s carbon fibre bottle cages which aid weight saving for competitive riders. These cages are available in different sizes, with some being adjustable to offer you the maximum levels of freedom. 

Hydration When Cycling

Although it’s difficult to plan exactly how much water you need to take onboard when cycling, a general rule of thumb does exist - which is to drink 1 litre of water for each hour of cycling. If you are riding for longer than an hour - consider changing your hydration from water to drinks containing electrolytes, or consider carrying sports gels with you. 

If you are out for full days, especially mountain biking - it may be easier to use a hydration pack which contains a water bladder within it.