codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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I'm looking for a couple of new bottle cages with both minimum weight and minimum cost. I'd like to get the weight under 40 grams each and cost under $20 each. I prefer black or silver.
Tacx Tao cages fit those requirements at 37 grams and about $13-$14 on line. Are there any other candidates?
Thanks,
codisc
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TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
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The King Cage stainless (www.kingcage.com) doesn't quite meet your weight criteria, but they're reasonably priced, & I prefer stainless cages because they don't ruin one's cool-looking team bottles with those gnarly-looking aluminum scrape marks.
Stainless is worth the extra 8 grams to me.
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"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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I'll second the recommendation for the Kings stainless cages. I've been using them for a couple of years on all the family bikes, they've never ejected a bottle, don't mark the bottles, are sort of minimalist looking and don't clash or takeaway from the looks of the bike.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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glaucman
new member
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 8
Loc: Germantown, TN
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I concur with Dave on the King Cages.
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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never thought of weight issues for bottle cages. Now something else to think about 
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codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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easy,
If you're using el cheapo cages they might weigh 70 grams each. A change to a couple of Tacx Tao cages, for instance, would drop 65 grams for around $30. That's way under the dollar a gram rule of thumb some use to justify buying new parts.
Of course there are other factors to consider like aesthetics, durability, availability, and functionality.
codisc
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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I agree....my mind just doesn't think that way..or sometimes any way .
I use Elite cages. Got them for Christmas. I think they are pretty heavy for cages. When I am struggling up the hills this year, I will know where I can shed some weight
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Just dump out the water first that is 2 pounds right there! 
I have Elite they are a little heavier but then so am I. I also have Elite Stainless on my Calfee. I like them and agree with the comment that stainless does not detract from the bike.
How about the new Record Carbon for low weight and a very reasonable price? 
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BubbaTex
journeyman
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 56
Loc: Austin, Texas
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one thing about the Tao cages, they are "tight". I had to buy new bottles because my "plain" clear ones were just a little too big and did not fit. Not that this is a big thing.....
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"It is more important to do less more often than to do more less often" Ed Burke, PhD
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codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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Thanks to all for the constructive comments to my post. I expected to get a comment about loosing body weight but I only weigh about 125 now and don't have a lot to loose. And yes, I could take less water with me but it's hot and dry here in Texas most of the year and I need to carry the fluid.
codisc
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Don't miss the smiling faces! The water was a joke! Although if I know there is water at the top of a mountain I usually drain them down my throat first! Actually my favorite two drinks are Gatorade Ice and Diet Coke. The later has the problem of exploding bottle stoppers however! On hot days it does refresh however.
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TheMightySkunk
journeyman
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 82
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Yeah, well, "Let he who haveth no flab cast the first stone".
I'm 6'2" / 210 lbs. I don't look for lightweight components, I look for components strong enough to where I won't blow them apart or shear them off in a few weeks. So you certainly won't get any snide remarks from me regarding pushing back from the dinner table a little early.
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"I haven't failed. I've just managed to find 100,000 ways that don't work"
--Albert Einstein
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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at 125lbs you have no more to lose
Got agree that in that heat you need to carry water everywhere you can. Liked you question.....now what did you decide???????
Iam, like Lon, a fan of gatorade Ice....YUMMY
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mvnbykes
new member
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 11
Loc: Louisiana
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the Tacx Allure. They are only 64 grams each, come in a ridiculous number of colors, and hold a bottle very well. You can get them from Gearlink.com. They may be too heavy for what you want, but for the price I think they are worth looking at. I just got some black ones, they were on sale for $5.85 each. Not bad, huh? The only peeve I have with the Tao is that they won't hold every size bottle. I use Zefal Magnum bottles in the summer, and they won't fit in the Tao's so I put the Allure's on. I prefer metal/aluminum/stainless steel cages to the plastic ones (a la Specialized), I had some and they didn't last 1 season. Good luck!
Mark
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Oh mighty skunk tell me is it the ice cream that gets you as well? For me it is ice cream, passing 50 and losing my thyroid. I now have the metabolism of a slug and I'm 5 pounds behind you. My body fat has stayed constant at around 13 to 14 so I try to view that as the upside.
Happy riding. I do find one advantage at being 215 over when I was lighter...people don't pick on you as much as you go down the road!
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codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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I think I'm going to try the Tacx Tao cages. They're light weight, not too expensive, and either the black or silver/black will look o.k. on my bike. If they end up not ideal I won't be out much.
Thanks again everyone for all the comments and advice.
codisc
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codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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I bought two Tacx Tao cages and have a few rides on them now. They weigh 41 grams each, without the bolts, which weigh 11 grams for the four of them. The cage weight is about 10% heavier than the advertised 37 grams, about average for many bike parts I have weighed.
I have checked the calibration of my electronic scale several times against other mechanical and electronic scales and with a set of brass lab weights. It's right on.
10% isn't a big deal for a bottle cage, but some parts are tens of grams heavier than advertised. If you calculate the weight of your new bike by adding up the advertised weights of the components there may be nearly a pound discrepancy.
Bottles from my local bike shop fit the cages fine. It's a little difficult getting the bottle out of the cage on the seat tube because I ride an XS compact geometry frame. I have some short bottles that fit the cage on the seat tube o.k. and hold almost as much as regular size bottles.
codisc
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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codisc...by the way, what is the total wight of bke built up. Was just wondering???
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codisc
new member
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 21
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easy,
It's just under 18.3 lbs with cages, pedals, and computer but without the tool kit. I need to work on the tool kit weight.
Some other time I'll post more details, but for now it's a Fondriest carb level plus with Chorus 10 speed.
codisc
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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codisc...
Nice bike. Enjoy. 
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Re: Bottle Cage Recommendations
I like the Tacx Tao and...