【WEBSHOP RECOMMEND】A bountiful autumn harvest: Choosing the perfect bottle cage.

Perhaps reacting to the spores of the new Human Mushroom Collection that recently arrived from SimWorks USA, it seems there has been a slight change to the Japan-born mushroom item, John Cage.

That said, while the specifications of the bottle cage itself haven't changed, the coaster-style tag has been replaced with the squishy rubber strap of the Sandwich-kun we see so often lately. It looks great dangling from your saddle rails, attached to your bag, or of course, as a ride companion.

Of course, the eye-catching backplate is a signature feature of the John Cage. This design allows you to choose between two mounting positions relative to the holes on the frame. By shifting the bottle cage lower, you can easily use it alongside an OUTER SHELL Half Frame Bag, or ensure smooth bottle access even if you have a small front triangle space. It’s only a difference of a few millimeters, but it makes more of a difference than you’d expect.

Perfect for Frame Bags: "KING CAGE Stainless Steel Side Loader"

Among the KING CAGE bottle cages that are just as popular as the John Cage, there is the Stainless Steel Cage Dropper which also allows you to shift the mounting position lower. But now, the stainless steel version of the Titanium Side Loader—which makes your frame bag setup easier by "tilting the entire cage to the side"—has finally arrived.

Since the structure allows you to slide the bottle in and out from either the left or right side without significantly changing its position, it’s extremely convenient for riders who use bags, especially for touring or long-distance rides.

Ultra-light and highly functional: "TUNE Rechtsträger Bottle Cage & Linksträger Bottle Cage"

For those chasing functionality and every gram of weight savings, TUNE’s carbon fiber Rechtsträger Bottle Cage and Linksträger Bottle Cage are must-have items.

You can customize the bottle's hold with the included rubber lips, keeping it secure even on bumps or rough roads. Because they provide reliable retention while keeping weight down, they are the perfect cages for road and gravel bikes.

A Hidden Gem, the dual-wielding "ARAYA Muddy Fox Multi Bottle Cage"

The bottle cages we have introduced so far were all designed for typical cycling bottles—the kind you squeeze to drink from. Standard bottle cages are sized for sports bottles, which have a larger outer diameter compared to plastic water bottles.

Because of this, if you put a regular plastic bottle in them, it won't be held securely; it will rattle around, and there’s a risk of it popping out due to impact when going over bumps or downhill. However, there is actually an excellent, clever bottle cage that solves this problem—a product that can firmly hold both cycling bottles and regular plastic water bottles.

For sports bottles, you can just insert them as usual. For plastic bottles, you turn them upside down and click them into the U-shaped clip at the bottom, which holds them securely against vibrations and shocks. It’s perfect for casual commuting or daily bike use, as you can easily hydrate with drinks from a vending machine or convenience store. It’s a reliable cage that can handle unexpected situations, like if you ever forget your bottle.

Bottle cages come in a wide variety of materials, functions, and designs—some even specialized for limited uses, like the MASAMONO Can Clip that Bay-chan has been happily using lately.

Try setting some criteria like "ease of bottle removal," "high retention," or "versatility" based on your frame shape, bikepacking combinations, and how you usually ride! Unlike handlebars or wheels, bottle cages are a component you can easily choose to best suit your personal riding style.