Two factories, two countries, four prototypes, and more than 6 months later, the VO retro cages are ready. Ready to go into production, that is.You see two versions. The one on the left is based on the original design and is also the model that's currently copied by Toei of Japan, though their version costs $95 and our will be under $20.
The one on the right has a loop to further secure the bottle. I thought this might be needed for folks who ride unpaved roads, but after playing with the prototypes I don't think it's necessary.
Just to be clear, this cage is based on an old TA design from the '40s or early '50. It is a one-handed cage; you put in the bottle just like on any other cage; but it holds the bottle very securely. The little tabs allow you to spread the cage for an oversized bottle. Say you're in Belgium and need to carry a pint of beer.... We at VO try to think of these eventualities.
Please don't ask when they'll be in stock, 2-3 months maybe. Do you think it was/is worth the wait?
Very nice. Although I wish they had the tabs to mount them with old-style clamps on frames without braze-ons. I know, I'm nit picking, but my favorite bike is old and has no braze-ons for water bottles, and I'm sure there are still many out there like mine. Beautiful anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes, worth the wait unless production delays bring about increased cost.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Looks like they might hold Kleen Kanteen bottles more securely. If they do, and at that price, sign me up. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThey look nice. Althhough mention of putting bottles of beer in them reminds me of an old BIKE magazine bit, where a couple of editors tested suspension systems by strapping microbrews to the frame and rattling down a hill. I seem to remember it was a drink-for-every-run job, and by the end, they must have been kind of hammered on the shaken up wobbly pops.
ReplyDeletem burdge
Beer on bikes? Do you all imbibe and ride? No buzz-on-a-bike since my pub crawl days. If I must bottle-on-a- bike, make mine a Guinness in an Andrew King cage - and yes Chris, Belgium beer is very good too.
ReplyDeleteYes, they look worth the wait. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteyes. Im glad theres going to be a classy cage for less than $80 or whatever the Toei cages cost.
ReplyDeleteLooks great and the price is right. I've already got King cages on all my bikes and it's hard to justify replacing them. Will put them on my next bike. Any plans to offer them to other retailers?
ReplyDeleteThey sell beer in PINTS in Belgium? 500 ml surely?
ReplyDeleteHey Chris,
ReplyDeleteNice cages!
When will they be in stock? ;)
Looks like good gear. The tab at the top would come in handy if you want to use a rubber band to secure something other than a bottle in the cage.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Steve
A question: Will this design fix the problem of aluminum\steel bottle rattling? If not, how does one tastefully prevent the rattle without marring or taping up the bottle?
ReplyDeleteonly a bit more than the king cages, half the price of the nittos, and cooler than both. sign me up.
ReplyDeletem burdge, Would we advocate imbibing under any circumstances? That bottle of beer may simply need a ride back to the hotel.
ReplyDeleteDon, The cost has been agreed upon and chiseled in stone; no worries.
C, They will be available to other shops through VO Imports. We have thousands on order. I sure hope they sell to other retailers.
Simon, Cut me some poetic slack!
Stephen, No rattling with metal bottles or your money back! I tried them with metal bottles today.
They look really nice, I'll take four of them!
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteGreat work!
Now get on with the cranks!! ;)
nv
Worth the wait for those cages at that price? Heck yeah!!!
ReplyDeleteNice work, bringing so many of our favorite bicycle objects into financial existence! : )
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Nitto design, but I'm being persuaded by the springy design. The price also helps.
These are gorgeous and I can't wait to snag a few. Would these be sturdy enough for mounting on the bottom-side of a downtube, though?
ReplyDeletevery nice design,
ReplyDeleteI will be in to buy 3 in the future...
Sam
oh, and to clarify:
ReplyDeleteThese are steel correct?
it may have been mentioned and i missed it.
They are stainless steel.
ReplyDeleteI think they would work under the downtube.
Wonderful. For the price, nothing else compares. And cages shouldn't cost much more, so good job! I will continue to pedal without water until these cages are ready for sale.
ReplyDeleteHow high on a standard water bottle will the ring grip?
I'm surprised by all the King references. Nice product and all, but no comparison to the superior style of the VO cage. I will say King products look good on our burly mountain bikes, but that's a different story...
I like these. I've started using the new lexan bottles from Camelback and Nalgene which don't have an indentation like real bicycling water bottles. This new/old cage of yours may hold the Camelback more securely.
ReplyDeleteIf these can expand to hold oversized bottles, can they shrink to hold disposable water bottles?
ReplyDeleteI just got one for my Raleigh single speed. Nice looking cage and works well with my 27oz Kleen Kanteen.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the cage wire is quite thin. It doesn't seem to be a problem, and it looks very nice and less obtrusive than a typical cage. Just mentioning it.