Titanium’s phenomenal strength, corrosion resistance and forgiving nature make it an ideal frame material but early bottle cages tended to eject their contents at the merest hint of a bump or rough surface. This model closely mimics the tried and tested design found amongst better quality aluminium cages.
Plastic side grippers hold most bottle types securely, passing the bridle path test (ridden for a mile along rutted tracks for a mile at 17-20mph) for both PET and trade type bottles. Release requires a slightly different technique so have a few practice runs before a competitive ride or prepare to launch your bidon at the least opportune moment. The cage also lends itself to unexpected roadside/club run purchases as it will take 1.25 and 1.5 litre drinks bottles without lasting distortion.
Frankly, it's horses for courses: svelte and competitively priced against other Ti cages it might be but shaving weight from the tyres and other components are more cost-effective measures. That said, if you’ve a Ti bike, have cut every last gram or are simply smitten by the wonder metal, the Van Nicholas won’t disappoint.
Combines Looks and performance a cage for the weight conscious or those simply unable to resist titanium
road.cc test report
Make and model: Van Nicholas Ti bottle cage
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The most obvious market are riders with Ti framesets but it is generally designed to appeal to weight conscious road and TT riders.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Designed in the Netherlands but fabricated in the Far East from 3AL/2.5 titanium complete with stainless fasteners.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Lightweight, adaptable and very durable.
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
35g is certainly light but only as part of a bikes calorie controlled diet.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
There are more cost effective performance upgrades.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Behaved extremely well, has just te right level of purchase on the bottle with no sign of ejection over rough surfaces.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Low weight, attention to detail and it's ti!
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? If I had a titaium bike
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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2 comments
of course it does… titanium is a wonder metal innit, you can do practically anything with it, practically. Well, you can bend it about in your bottle cage with no ill effects, so long as you don't do it all the time!
does that mean 'it bends' as in, it snaps back into shape afterwards, or 'you can bend it' like you would an Alu cage? (until it breaks!)
just out of interest...