Decent cage for frame mounting. Seems to fit some water bottles a little better then others. I was unable to get it to work on my xlab turbo wing but that wasn''t the purpose to start with. Overall a nice light weight cage.Save 28% off
Serfas Cirque Carbon Bicycle Cage Save 28% off
Decent cage for frame mounting. Seems to fit some water bottles a little better then others. I was unable to get it to work on my xlab turbo wing but that wasn''t the purpose to start with. Overall a nice light weight cage.
Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container
We use these extensively while we are out doing field research. We love them because they hold a lot of water (7 gal), are stackable with each other (we carry about 10 or so out in the field) and are pretty sturdy. However, we have found that the spigot is poorly designed. The design is such that when the container is on its side you can just turn the lever on and off for water. Great idea. But the spigot has to be facing down for that to work. In some cases, when you twist the spigot on, you either have to over-tighten the spigot for it to face down or not tighten it enough. Over-tightening eventually produces a crack in the threading and there is no longer a tight seal and you end up with a leaky container. Not screwing it on enough obviously will also cause it to leak. If you are only using one jug occasionally, this is not a big deal. If you use them for high volume activities, just beware of the issue.
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These are about the upper practical limit for one-person-portable water containers, weighing in at almost 60 lbs. when filled. Aqua-tainers are deservedly popular, being stoutly-made and having a very practical spout design with a nozzle that can be stowed inside the container, which is great for protecting it from incidental knocks when you''re hefting it around your campsite, house, or vehicle. Everybody should have a few of these (or smaller equivalents) stashed away somewhere; you never know when you''re going to need it.Read Best Reviews of Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container Here
I was very glad to find this product available on the web. I purchased 3 of them about 8 years ago. I use the containers to mix salt-water so I can perform water changes on my marine aquarium. I wanted a couple of more. I found them!! The new ones have not changed much from the ones I bought 8 years ago. This is good because the old ones have been very good and durable. I would recommend them to anyone wanting a good water carrier.Want Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container Discount?
To begin with, this is a great idea. It''s the perfect concept for small families who are in need of emergency water supplies for any short-term disaster scenario. The plastics used are BPA-free, making them better suited t long term water storage. I bought 2, figuring to use these only for drinking water, with additional containers dedicated to other needs. According to ready.gov, "A normally active person needs at least one gallon of water daily just for drinking however individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate." The 7 Gallon size, weighing about 55lbs when full, is pretty much the maximum size container you would want to move around when full; and theoretically, at least, the spigot should make it easy to use the water during your emergency. Here are my experiences using the Aqua-Tainer.Out of the box, there was a pronounced plastic smell when opening the container. I had no time to do a thorough was with soap, as the storm was about to hit. I added several quarts of water to each of the Aqua-Tainers, and shook them vigorously for a minute or two. After emptying the water, most of the plastic smell was gone. The remaining scent was faint, reminiscent of the scent of a pool liner or pool toy in the summer. It was not unpleasant at all, really.
Filling the Aqua-Tainers was easy. They are only 16" high (18" with the spigot attached, approximately 11" by 11" in the other dimensions. With a slight tilt, I filled most of the container under my raised kitchen faucet and then topped it off using a pitcher.
Then the fun began! As noted by other reviews, the Aqua-Tainer uses plastic threading for attachment of the vent cap and main cap/spigot. As soon as I turned the container on its side, both leaked. I had to reset the caps a couple of times each before I was able to get the seals to hold. With the plastic threading and a gasket on the main cap that also appears to be plastic, I wonder how well these will stand up to repeated use. This is especially true of the spigot, which is not set to automatically face downward when attached, and has be hand-tightened, and potentially over-tightened.
So, with a couple of tries I got the Aqua-tainers ready to dispense livesaving H2O. After 24 hours, I started drawing off some of the water for use. I was horrified to see that each glass had a faint, but noticeable, oil film on the top. I''ve drawn off several glasses from each so far, and they all have it. I washed the glasses in between so I''m certain there was no residue in the glasses that was causing this. Luckily, the storm passed uneventfully and we didn''t need the water for drinking. I would have been hesitant to give this to my family except in the most dire emergency.
I will update this review on next use of the Aqua-Tainers, and hopefully, will be able to raise my rating; if the seals hold up and the oily film disappears. I plan to wash them thoroughly with Dawn or similar detergent, which I should have done originally, time constraint or no. I''ll keep you all posted!
Update November 1, 2012
First I should note that I''m evaluating this unit thoroughly, but when it comes to drinking water for my family, I feel you have to start at one star and work up from there. Although my review is not complete, I''m increasing my rating to four stars based on two factors. No, three factors. The first is that there is a five-year guarantee, which allays my concerns about the longevity of the plastic threading and gaskets. The second is that I was able to easily remove the oily film from the units. The third is that the product is from Canada, and everybody I know in Canada is way cool.
Here''s what I did to clean the units. First, when I opened the unit for cleaning, the stored water smelled fine after 4 days of storage. I added one-quarter cup of Ultra Dawn, although you might prefer a product with less perfume. I reattached the spigot, which still faced nicely downward, then shook the container as best I could in all directions and let it sit for an hour. I drained the container, then flushed it twice with running water. Drawing water after the second refill showed no oily film! I rinsed the container once more just to be certain, then left it out to dry.
When you''re putting the container back, you''ll be taking the spigot off and reattaching it in the hide-away position. You''ll want to put something over the exposed outside, like a piece of masking tape, to make certain nothing gets inside the spigot while the container is in storage.
There are a couple of additional positives that I neglected to mention. The grips on the vent cap and main cap are really easy to get hold of, and your hand won''t slip, even if wet. Also, the water level measure on the side is a nice feature.
I will certainly update this review after I have had the chance of using the Aqua-Tainers a couple more times, and have every hope of being able to raise the rating to five stars if they hold up through multiple uses.
Speedfil Aero Bottle SpeedSok (Black) Save 10% off
this is a good attempt to try and keep water cold but here in Central Fl it just get way to hot for this to be effective, better off putting ice in the bottle
BioGreen Biodegradable BPA-Free Kids Bottle (14-Ounce)
I purchased 8 of these for my 4 kids (as young as 5). Since they''re always on the go, we use these types of bottles for their all-day containers.I was interested in finding bio-degradable bottles that were also BPA-free. These fit the bill, and were priced better than any of the others I saw on Amazon at the time.
We''ve washed them in the dishwasher several times already. They''re holding up very well. The kids are able to get themselves refills, since it isn''t too difficult to open the lids, yet the lids are tight enough not to leak or accidentally burst open when dropped. I''d highly recommend them. We''ll be buying more of them.
**Update 07/2009**
I''d avoid these... They were great for a while, but the lip of the lids have all begun to crack/split, so they won''t stay on very well now. We''ve gone with others that are larger screw-top versions from Amazon, which are holding up great. I believe they''re from the same company.
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I wanted to get myself an eco-friendly everyday water bottle; I first purchased the Klean Kanteen, but the lid kept on leaking on me. So after much online comparison, I purchased this one (the leak-proof claim reeled me in) and I am ecstatic with it. It''s just the right size for a bottle to throw into a bag for whenever one feels thirsty; plus, it hasn''t leaked on me yet. And, I might add, this bottle is not just for kids (I got the one with the drawings on the side and find it adorable).Read Best Reviews of BioGreen Biodegradable BPA-Free Kids Bottle (14-Ounce) Here
Exactly what my daughter needed as she learned how to hold her own cups to drink water. lightweight, the frosted clear makes it easy to view contents and the amount left. We ended up ordering several more of these to have around.Want BioGreen Biodegradable BPA-Free Kids Bottle (14-Ounce) Discount?
At about $5, it''s not a big deal that the top cracked after just 2 months of use, but it seems a wate when we are trying not to keep buying water bottles....better than disposables, but didn''t last long enough.Cute design. Nice size. Was great until it broke.
Profile Design Insulated Aero Drink System Save 19% off
It does it''s job, but it''s pretty thick and heavy and bulky. Seems like they could have still insulated it but made it thinner and lighter (like the insulated camel back bottles).
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Once you get over the shock of the size of this [insulated] bottle, you find it''s very functional. Aerodynamic, adjustable straw length, and ability to refill on the go with a regular drink bottle are its great features.I would caution that its size could potentially cause some problems with cables depending on how yours are routed on the front side of your handlebars. I have a brake cable that can get around to the front of the bottle when installed, but it would only be a problem (and binding the cable) if the wheel is turned beyond 45 degrees or so. Luckily that should only occur when going very slow or walking the bike.
Overall a great product and it will turn a few heads--and most importantly keep you from fumbling with regular bottles at full speed.
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This is great for long distance rides. I do a lot of long distance rides and it''s so nice to be able to just bend down and take a sip when needed. I don''t know if I''ll use it in a tri again. It''s very heavy and I felt that it may have slowed me down.
Topeak Mondo Pack Hydro with Fixer 25 with Water Bottle Pocket Save 32% off
I bought this bag after buying the Topeak medium-sized wedge bag with straps and being disappointed with that bag in terms of its size (too small, not in cubic inches, but in having such a narrow nose), attachment mechanism (too slow) and accessibility (hard to reach and move the zipper under the saddle). This bag addresses all of those problems and then some.Some details. This is a large bag, but not really too large. You need a lot of exposed seat post, however, to be able to attach both straps (a minimum of 7" by my measure, from below the saddle rails). The bag holds a lot -my wallet, sunglasses, spare tube, wrenches, energy bars, small pump etc., quite comfortably. The mesh net in back, in addition to holding a water bottle or other drink, could, instead, hold a windbreaker vest or thin jacket (if you don''t mind crumpling). Very useful.
Access to the main, deep, compartment is from the left side zipper (looking forward from the back of your bike). The flap of the compartment has a nice mesh net inside. There is a right side zipper and compartment that is very thin (not deep) that could be used for tire irons, a very small pump, maps, etc. (elastic loops are on the inside wall). The interior chamber goes all the way up to the top of the bag, which is good to squeeze in a larger pump, but might otherwise be difficult to use efficiently without piling items on top of each other.
Attachment to the bike, with Topeak''s "fixer" mount -is very convenient. One catch is that the included Fixer 25 mount is a fixed width (in terms of distance between saddle rails), which means it has to go on the bottom of your racing/touring saddle''s rails. If you rely on having your saddle in its most front-forward position, you''ll have to slide the saddle back about 3/8" to get the quick mount piece in place. As for the velcro seat post ties, they are much improved from Topeak''s wedge bags. The MondoPack attaches the straps to the bag by a loop, and not by being sewn or fixed in place. This means that you can adjust them so that you don''t have a lot of excess strap left over if your seat post is thin (a real problem with Topeak''s wedge bags).
I jammed the bag full for a Century ride the other day and did, on occasion, feel my legs mildly hit/rub it, as the width of the bag can exceed the width of a narrow racing/touring saddle. But I think this wouldn''t be an issue with a normal load (or with saddle positions that aren''t as far back as mine) and, in any event, I stopped noticing it after a few miles. But it conceivably might be an annoyance for others.
4-1/2 stars in my book. Half a star deducted for the limited adjustability of the Fixer 25 mount and the possibly excessive width of the bag. But highly recommended in all for those needing a large bag -I''ll definitely be keeping and using it.
EDIT 5/12/12 -If you have the some problem I did with the Fixer 25 eating up needed saddle rail real estate, you might try the Fixer 11. It''s wider and angled so it will fit on the portion of the saddle rails going up to the saddle (instead of the portion on which your seat post slides and clamps). I''ve made it work on a bunch of different racing-type saddles (Romin Evo Pro, SMP Pro, Terry Fly Ti).
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I bought this specifically to use on the MS Delaware 2012 Bike to the Bay (I know there are plenty of rest stops and SAG vehicles but I prefer to be as well prepared as possible!). I wanted a bigger pack to carry a few more items than usual, including a thin rain jacket. I was able to pack everything I needed with room to spare and the jacket fitted snugly in the rear pocket (which is actually designed to fit an extra water bottle). My usual pack is also a Topeak, so this one just attached using the existing Topeak F25 Wedge Pack Fixer attached to my saddle. Very happy with this purchase.Read Best Reviews of Topeak Mondo Pack Hydro with Fixer 25 with Water Bottle Pocket Here
I returned this item for 2 reasons:1. The water-bottle/stuff pouch on the outside of the bag makes contact with my rear wheel. I measured from the seat post clamp to the top of the seat post and there was 6.25" of exposed post. I ride a medium-sized frame 54.8". I would guess you would need at least another inch of clearance, whether it be from frame or seat, to make this bag work for you.
2. The bag rubs the back of my thighs while pedaling. I have big thighs, so I have a problem with rubbing on the Velcro strap which attaches this bag and other Topeak under-seat bags (I also own the Aero Wedge Pack, w/ Fixer F25, Medium), but in addition to this annoyance my legs also made contact with the outer edges of this bag itself, which I found more noticeable while riding.
Overall I still rate this bag 4 stars because it seems to be made with the same high level of quality and functionality as many of the other Topeak products I own. However, those of you with short, thick legs like mine be warned this may not be the bag for you.
I ended up going with the Topeak DynaPack Bicycle Seat Post Mount Bag with Fixer ,which provides a lot more seat post clearance and twice the space.
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Stelton My Water Bottle
This is a PLASTIC water bottle. Not a glass water bottle.It''s my fault, I admit, I should have read the description carefully. I searched for "glass water bottle". Because this one appeared in the search, well, I assumed it was made of glass...