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A relatively recent innovation for bike travel is the myriad of speciality cages that can optimise water and gear storage on your bike. You’ll find everything from 2-litre water bottle cages through to cargo cages that’ll provide extra gear storage on your frame or fork.
This article is an overview of the cargo cages, anything cages, oversized water bottles and double bottle adapters available. Let me show you a few mounting tricks too. 👍
How Do You Mount These Cages?
Cargo cages mount to your frame or fork using either the standard 2-boss or 3-boss designs. With that extra point to reinforce the cage, 3-boss cages will accommodate the demands of heavier loads. Don’t fret if you have no bidon mounts on your frame or fork; there are numerous ways to add bolts without drilling and tapping, but more on that below. 😀
Does Your Frame Have Enough Clearance?
The first thing you need to do is find out if you have enough space for an oversized cage or bottle. I like to draw up the maximum dimensions of a bottle/cage on a piece of paper (LxW), cut it out and hold it up to my frame. Don’t forget to consider the extra space you’ll need to get the bottle/gear in and out.
Frames that are really small or compact (short seat tube length) tend to have very limited storage space, but the majority of frames should accommodate at least one oversized bottle (1.5 litres).
Mounting Cargo Cages To Your Bike
Here are a few ways to add bidon bolts or move your bidon bolt location.
1. Get a Wolf Tooth 2 Slot, Mt Skidmore or Shimano BA-01 bottle cage adapter to create some extra space. Using an adapter permits you to move your bidon bolt locations around your downtube or seat tube. The Shimano adapter only has one setting which moves your cage 75mm up or down, while the Mt Skidmore and Wolf Tooth models are much more adjustable.
2. Get some King Universal Support Bolts. These stainless clamps allow you to put bidon sized nuts/bolts anywhere on your bike. Very handy for when you want to mount 3-boss cages onto frames with 2-boss mounts.
3. There are strap-on bidon bolt kit too! Take a look at the TwoFish Quick Cage Adapter, or alternatively the SKS Anywhere Water Bottle Mounts.
4. Modify your frame. I’ve used my local frame builder a couple of times to add an additional bidon bolt location on my downtubes. Be aware that your frame will require heat treatment, so this will ruin any paintwork around the bidon bolt location.
5. Buy strap-on cages which will not require permanent fittings at all (see below).
Bottles: 2.0 Litre (70oz)
Klean Kanteen make some of the biggest portable water bottles, and TwoFish make strap-on cages to match. Just watch your knees though – the diameter of these XL bottles is around 110mm (insulated bottles can be 119mm).
Bottles: 1.5 Litre (52oz)
The maximum capacity for almost all oversized cages is 1.5L (52oz). There’s a standard diameter for bottles of this capacity (89mm / 3.5 in) that allows them to fit soft drink, Nalgene and many stainless steel bottles.
If you’re going down the disposable plastic bottle route, I’ve found that Coca-Cola make the longest-lasting plastic bottles. I use pop top lids on my bottles so that I can drink while I ride. Read all about my pop top hack in this post.
I’ve also used Nalgene 1.5L bottles on my bike. The huge disadvantage of the large Nalgene bottles is the wide mouth opening. I recommend taking a look at the HumanGear capCAP water bottle top (US $7).
Klean Kanteen stainless steel bottles (and other similar products) are the non-plastic option of choice. With the sport top, the bottles measure ~290mm in length.
Bottles: 1.0 Litre (35oz)
For regular bottle cages, the largest capacity bottle you’ll find is one litre. SIS make these and they measure 277mm in height. Zefal make the second largest bidon that I know of, a 940ml model called the Magnum which sits 260mm tall.
Stainless steel bottles are also available under one litre; check out the Klean Kanteen 27 oz (767ml) stainless steel model for a non-plastic option.
Oversized Bottle Cages
Arundel Looney Bin // Buy Now For $25
The Looney Bin will fit anything with a diameter up to 90mm. Given its compact size and lightweight construction, it tends to be best for bottles around one litre.
BBB Fuel Tank XL // Buy Now For $21
The BBB Fuel Tank XL is my oversized cage recommendation. After completing 50,000km+ I still haven’t managed to break one. The aluminium tubing is thicker and larger than the other similar designs, making it super stiff and sturdy. The only downside is how it’s adjusted; you’ll need to take the cage off the bike in order move the upper clamp around.
Bike Buddy Adjustable Bottle/Fuel Cage
The Bike Buddy mount lives on the bottle. All three models adjust from 70 to 112mm (2.8 to 4.4 in) in diameter which should accommodate even the biggest two-litre bottles. These cages can even be adjusted up to 152mm (6 inches) by substituting the standard springs for ‘200’ series, making the Bike Buddy a cargo cage too!
Minoura AB1600
The Minoura oversized cages were the first of this design not long ago. Unfortunately, I’ve found them to be unreliable – breaking halfway down the cage on multiple occasions.
SJS Cycles / M-Wave / Ventura Alloy XL Cage // Buy Now For $13
These generic 1.5-litre cages get a really good wrap, especially considering the low price. Made of similarly thick aluminium to the BBB Fueltank XL, I can’t imagine you’ll have any issues with durability.
Topeak Modula XL Bottle Cage // Buy Now For $13
Topeak was another early adopter of the oversized cage. These cages are much easier to adjust than other similar models. Unfortunately, I broke a few in the 2000s and am not sure if they’re built any tougher these days.
TwoFish Quick Cage For Klean Kanteen // Buy Now For $30
These cages strap to your frame and provide space for stainless steel Klean Kanteens or Nalgene bottles. The size large fits a 40oz (1.2L), and the XL a 64oz (1.9L) Klean Kanteen.
Velo Orange Mojave // Buy Now For $80
The classy-looking Mojave has five mounting holes, allowing you to get a precise fit on your frame. It will also mount using either the 2-boss or 3-boss design. This stainless steel cage fits 1.0-1.5L Nalgene and Klean Kanteen style bottles.
Widefoot LiterCage
The Widefoot LiterCage is similar to the Mojave in that it has 2-boss and 3-boss mounting holes, but it’s also designed to be hose-tied onto a frame or fork. It fits Nalgene and Klean Kanteen bottle styles.
Double Bottle Cage Adapters
Cyclewerks Double Adapter // NZ $39
The Cyclewerks Double Adapter is designed to provide a gap between the two cage mounts so that your frame bag can slot through the middle. That way you won’t lose any water storage space while using a full frame bag!
M-Wave Two Bottle Cage Adapter // 9€
M-Wave makes a super simple two bottle cage adapter that offers a narrow profile for two side-by-side bottles.
Wolf Tooth B-RAD Double Bottle Adapter // US $24
Wolf Tooth’s take on the double bottle cage adapter is a narrow two-piece kit.
Wolf Tooth B-RAD Bottle Relocation and Accessory Device // US $23
Wolf Tooth also make a 4 Slot B-RAD mounting base that allows you to fit two bottles in-line (if your downtube is long enough). The mounting base can also be used for other accessories too.
Cargo Cages
Blackburn Outpost Cargo Cages // Buy Now For $22
The Blackburn Outpost will carry anything from water to camping gear. The key difference between this and other cages is that it’s designed to mount using the standard bidon bolts on your bike (2-boss).
Free Parable Gorilla Cargo Cages + Gorilla Clip // Buy Now For $36 + Gorilla Clip $20
You do not need any mounting bolts to fit the Gorilla Cage + Gorilla Clip to your bike. Simply cable tie the Gorilla Clip to your frame, fork or seatpost (up to 40mm in diameter) and off you go. The Gorilla Cage and your gear use a quick release system of ‘discs’ that allow you to remove your gear from your bike in seconds! Alternatively, you can use the 3-boss mounts to make it a regular cargo cage.
King Many Things Cage // $55
The King “Many Things” is the only titanium cargo cage on this list, and is also the lightest cargo cage. At just 37g, it is a fraction of the weight of any of the competitors (~150g). This USA-made product uses a 3-boss mounting system to allow for a significant load. While the other cargo cages ‘cradle’ your goods, the King Many Things will require tighter straps to stabilise your load.
Salsa Anything Cage V2
The Anything Cage will hold insulated bottles, bags, sleeping mats and more. It uses the 3-boss system on your frame or fork and has a carrying capacity of 3kg (6.6lbs).
Salsa Anything Cage HD
The heavy-duty Salsa Anything Cage HD has the same carrying capacity as the V2, but it’s instead made out of 3D printed plastic which can better cradle your goods. Like most cargo cages it fits the 3-boss mounts on your frame or fork.
Santos All Holder
Santos make a really neat double-strap plastic holder that mounts onto the 3-boss system. It’s designed to be able to ‘cup’ bottles between one and two litres, as well as obscure-shaped wine bottles, drybags and even a pair of shoes. At 215g it isn’t the lightest, but it’s built to last.
Specialized Burra Burra StuffCage
Specialized make a similar product to King but in aluminium rather than titanium. This anodised black cage comes with two coated webbing straps and camlocks to provide the secure attachment of a drybag, water bottle or the one-litre Specialized Stuffpack.
Hi Alex,
You’re “HERE” link doesn’t have a link.
If you don’t want your frame modified for the extra braze-on, could you use something like the strap on (think BottleFix by Klickfix) type successfully?
Thanks.
Where do BUY the BBB model?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BBB-Fuel-Water-Bottle-Holder/dp/B002S3JX7I
http://www.bike24.com/p222704.html
http://www.shinybikes.com/bbb-fueltank-xl-bottle-cage-2905091501.html
I am curious if a Nalgene Silo 1.5L that has HumanGear CapCap if the clamp would fit around the top of the CapCap.
Hi Nathan. I believe the clamp would be too small to get around the top of the CapCap. However, with our silo bottle we don’t even use a clamp – the bottle stays in the cage nicely.
Hello! I have been searching all over the web for a larger bottle cage, so thank you right off for having this discussion. I see you gave the best marks to the BBB OS. I use a 40oz. Hydroflask. It is 3.5″ in diameter. Will this cage (or any) hold that?
Thanks!
Given that Nalgene bottles have a 3.5 inch diameter, you should be fine with your hydro flask.
For those still searching for the perfect oversize bottle cage for their frame, I found this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/182916680/40oz-bicycle-bottle-cage-heavy-duty?ref=fp_item&aref=10467632406 on etsy. I haven’t bought them yet, but am very close. The BBB cages are nice, but don’t quite fit in my 54cm Soma Saga due to clearance issues. These look like the perfect solution.
Please keep us up to date with how it goes!
40 oz and 64 oz Stainless steel bottle cages available here https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrandCoIndustries
I have been using the BrandCo Klean Kanteen 40oz bottle cages daily for the last 9 months. At first they were a little rough around the edges, near the welds and put noticeable trackmarks on my bottles, but I took some fine wet/dry paper to them and went to town. Since they are steel they will slowly loosen up their grip a bit, which was good in my case, they started a little tight. Now they are great. Keep in mind they will only work well with the Klean kanteens, other bottles may not work so well.
Also, another option for moving your bottle cages up and down is the Mt Skidmore bottle cage adaptor. I don’t need to them anymore with BrandCo’s cages since they fit perfectly in my frame, but they would come in handy with other cages.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
I use the Profile Design Kage, a nylon/resin cage which spreads enough to grip 1.5L or 2L soft drink bottles, aluminium SIGG fuel bottle etc, but still rebounds enough to hold normal bidons. Don’t worry about the thin, ‘grip’ o-ring, it’s effectively functionless. No problems with them touring in weather between -15C to 48C yet. Serious value.
Hello, has anyone tried the 1900ml Klean kanteen with the Bibb OS? It looks too wide to fit? Thanks, jerry.
Hi Jerry. The diameter of the Klean Kanteen looks to be about 2cm too large for the BBB cage. Alee
What would be best for attaching a huge nalgene (84oz) to my downtube. I do have bosses.
84oz! Wow! I’d recommend an open cargo cage design with at least two straps securing the weight, check out the Blackburn and Salsa offerings.
It is time to update this article with King Cage’s Manything Cage, Widefoot’s LiterCage
There’s been a lot of new product recently! I’ll get on the update soon. 🙂
What is preferred way to strap a 1.5L bottle at the underside of the downtube?
¿SANTOS bikes system?
https://www.santosbikes.com/santos/typisch-santos/santos-alleshouder
You do need regular bottle bosses (x3) to mount the plastic disc cleats to which the Gorilla Cage attaches.
Thanks, can’t believe I forgot it! 🙂
Definitely one of the cages with straps (choose your poison).
Thanks Bert. I’ve just clarified that you need to get the Gorilla Clip for universal mounting to frames/forks without 3-boss mounting holes.
This was so helpful. thanks so much!
I have a few different cages that you show above… I mounted the clean canteen 64oz. oversized strap-on on the trailer tow bar. It fits the 64 oz. aluminum bottles and also my new Stanley thermos/coffee press. I use an adjustable bottle holder on the bars to hold any size or shape bottle, currently a double walled aluminum with straw cap. I bought two of the Salsa Anything cages with their beautiful waterproof bags to mount on the front corners of a Mule trailer. The cage is some kind of bullet-proof plastic or resin and sound just like bone shattering when it breaks. I cut a corner too close and tested the strength of the left cage way beyond breaking, If you mounted them as designed, they would be great until you over load them, and you will, overload them.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b68c99f9e39228cbb590a6707d6cfc1d350e0e78214449f2eb67d312c93f1ccd.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/910af2c3250d7a3f4bedf5f575a7491f6ea39ef6f867b91b52791039bb1a85ff.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f81b4f60c86c7d96e1574f1526c90dac83e180b7b5abf3979dd3351993bc3f95.jpg
Just wondering if anyone has used the BBB Fuel Tank XL cage with 40oz klean kanteen’s with the “narrow” neck and if the clamp then works? Tossing up between the bbb and the two fish – two fish is made for Klean Kanteenbut I like the idea of the neck clip on the BBB model…..
I don’t think the spring-loaded collar would fully close, but it would probably get close. The Widefoot Litercage, Velo Orange Mojave or TwoFish Quick Cage will be the better option. That said, if you’re doing mostly on-road stuff, the BBB model will work fine without the collar if it didn’t fit…
Thanks Alee. I really appreciate the response. I’ll be on road to start, but the plan is to get off road – looks like the Two Fish is probably the better option! Thanks again – will let you know how it goes! Matthew
Hello Alee,
Some feedback on an actual tour. My wife and I rode single bicycles (Salsa Fargos x 2) on the GDMBR (northbound). We made it 2,080 miles (Palomas, MX to Butte, MT) before postponing our trip until next season (June 2018?). We postponed due to the fires in Montana and Idaho + we ran into snow and rain (mid-September 2017).
We ran the BBB XL cages (x2) on our Fargos (downtube position). Worked flawlessly each holding 40 ounce Hydroflasks. We used Voile straps as a secondary means of securement. Zero issues whatsoever. Need to also mention we took the BBB XL cages on the 2016 TransAmerica Trail (eastbound), 4,250 miles without issue, holding the same 40 ounce Hydroflasks (without Voile straps). Albeit the TransAm is 99% paved but they held up and stood the test. That proved to me they were the real deal. In fact I recently removed both BBB’s from the Fargos and carefully examined them. No issues.
In addition, we each ran the recently released King Cage “Many Thing” cage (ti). We have a total of eight – four on each bike – two on each fork leg. We also ran the King “USB” since the Fargo fork legs ‘only’ accommodate two (2) 3-pack cages. Yes, all VERY pricey but none of these components failed, which is probably worth a lot more than the price. Mind you we carried 2 x 3 liter plastic water bottles, along with 2 x bear resistant containers filled with food. Along with 2 x BOT mess kits, water purifier and additional denatured alcohol containers. Each all secured with Voile straps. Again, NONE of these components failed. It is amazing to state this with ALL of the dirt roads (rocks, ruts, washboards, downhills, etc.).
Finally, an objective review of the water purifier we used: We purchased and used the MSR Guardian. Yes, PRICEY, but worth every penny in our opinion. It worked as advertised and its ease of use was amazing. That, combined with not having to take it apart and backflush it was worth the price. We did not realize how much we would rely upon a water treatment system (filter or purifier) on the GD. I think a water treatment system should be first and foremost on the list for anyone considering tackling the GD, as there were many places where water sources were few and far between. Future GD cyclists beware. A water treatment system, at least to me, seems to be somewhat of an afterthought on equipment lists.
Keep up the great work and we will continue to provide feedback on what worked and most importantly, what didn’t work out as advertised.
Thanks Jeffrey! Great review on all your gear… glad to hear everything is standing the test of time.
what Ortlieb bag is that in the Santos all holder?
Looks to me like the Dry Bag PS10 3-Litre: https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Dry%20Bag%20PS10/
I am trying to find a good water bottle cage to hold my JBL Pulse 2, which is about 3.3″ wide or 83.82mm.
Any suggestions?