By Simon Withers

Published: Monday, 07 February 2022 at 12:00 am


Bottle cages aren’t usually the most exciting component on your bike.

Unless you’re looking for something exotic to complement a boutique build (and you’ve got a huge wad of cash burning a hole in your wallet), most people just want something that does its job of securely holding on to one of the best cycling water bottles without too much fuss. If it can also complement the look of your bike, though, that’s even better.

Sounds simple, right? Well, it really ought to be, but as a component that’s relatively cheap and easy to produce, practically every manufacturer involved in cycling has had a go at it, and most experienced cyclists will have found that some bike bottle holders are simply better than others.

Like any other component, bottle cages also come in a variety of different materials – from plastic and aluminium, which tend to be the cheapest, to carbon and titanium, which are inevitably more expensive.

Performance often depends more on the style and construction of the cage, rather than the material it’s made of though, so don’t assume that a carbon bottle cage is better just because it costs more.

While some people swear by innovative solutions involving various types of magnets or studs, most people just want something simple that works with standard cycling bottles, and holds on to them securely over even the roughest terrain.

We’ve put together a list of our favourite bike bottle holders on the market in 2022, and included a variety of different styles and price points, so everyone should be able to find something to suit their budget.

The best cycling bottle cages in 2022 as tested by our team of experts

  • Arundel Mandible DTR: £65 / $75 / AU$120
  • Elite Rocko Carbon: £28 / $50
  • Tacx Ciro: £16 / $26
  • Birzman Uncage: £9
  • Elite Vico Carbon: £25 / $32 / AU$50
  • Fabric Gripper cage: £15 / $15 / €15
  • Lifeline Essential: £5 / $10 / AU$15

Arundel Mandible DTR

4.5 out of 5 star rating
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The Mandible’s svelte design is far tougher than it looks.
Immediate Media
  • Price: £65 / $75 / AU$120
  • Weight: 22g

Arundel’s 22g Mandible DTR stands for ‘down tube right’: its recommended position and access side. However, left-handed riders can switch the position with its seat-tube mounted STR sibling.

Made by wrapping carbon fibre over a foam core, the svelte design is far tougher than it looks, and both mounting options pair one round and one slotted hole for limited adjustment.

Bottle insertion is fast and smooth from the side, and the cage grips the bottle well.