How to Choose Cycling Water Bottle | Buyers Guide 2022
Staying well-hydrated and active during your riding sessions is important. Drinking water not only refreshes you but at the same time, also maintains your energy level to help you give your best performance.
If you are thinking of buying, remember that not all water bottles are suitable for bicycles. Bike water bottles are of a special kind. To help you find the most suitable one to accompany you in your journeys.
In this article, we have discussed in great detail about how to choose cycling water bottle so that you find it easy to select the one for you.
How to Choose Cycling Water Bottles: Everything You Should Know
Page Contents
- How to Choose Cycling Water Bottles: Everything You Should Know
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the Cycling Water Bottle Also Called a Bidon?
- What is the Right Time to Hydrate When Cycling?
- How Big is a Water Bottle? Do Water Bottles Come in Standardized Sizes?
- Are Cycling Water Bottles Made for Cyclists Only?
- Are All Cycling Water Bottles Insulated?
- How Much Water Should I Drink When Cycling?
- Which is the Best Way to Carry a Cycling Water Bottle?
- Can Reusing Water Bottles Be Harmful?
- Can My Water Bottle Make Me Sick?
- Wrapping Up
Importance of Hydration when Cycling. Why Should You Take Water When Cycling?
If you are a biker, you probably know that keeping your liquid level at the peak is important while riding.
The reason you must keep yourself hydrated during riding sessions because, like any other sport, cycling also requires a lot of power, speed, and energy. To maintain your energy level and make the most of your ride, you keep yourself hydrated is super essential.
Drinking enough water during a bike ride not only helps to replace the lost energy but at the same time, also makes sure that all your organs are functioning well and are in top condition.
If you do not maintain your water intake during the cycling session, there are high chances that you might face major problems, including headaches, collapse, and heatstroke as well as bad performance and short of breath.
Even though we usually drink water only when we feel thirsty, you must take water before you start cycling, during cycling and after cycling, in the case of cycling.
In hot conditions, you must take more liquid than usual to keep yourself at top energy even after finishing the ride.
Benefits of a Quality Bike Water Bottle
The benefits of a quality water bottle are endless. Some of the most prominent advantages of having an excellent water pot for your cycling are:
Drink without Stopping
One of the main benefits you enjoy from a water bottle is that it provides you the opportunity to drink water without stopping the cycle.
If the bottle fits in your bike cage and features no to one-hand operation, then you can enjoy drinking water anytime you want without even halting the ride.
Stay Hydrated and Healthy
The main advantage is that it not only helps you to keep yourself hydrated during intense ridings but at the same time also keeps you healthy and fit.
As you drink a lot of water, there are fewer chances of your body being dehydrated and suffering from headaches and dizziness.
Keep Water Cold
Quality water bottles are most likely to be well-insulated, which means that your cold water will remain cold no matter what’s the temperature outside.
Drinking cold water during intense riding not only satisfies your thirst but at the same time, also gives you a very refreshed feeling.
How to Decide on the Best Bike Water Bottle
Even though the market is full of water bottle for biking, you must keep in mind some important aspects to score the best one for biking. The features you must look for are:
Material & Durability: What’s the Best Water Bottle Material?
While purchasing, you must keep an eye on its construction material as it depends on it. These are usually made from either plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel.
While stainless steel bottles are more durable and have better insulation, plastic and aluminum bottles are super lightweight and inexpensive. However, these are not as durable as the stainless steel ones.
It doesn’t matter which one you choose to accompany you during your rides; ensure that it is BPA-free and FDA-certified to ensure your health's safety.
Temperature Management/insulation
As different water bottles are made from different types of materials, it is very normal that they have different insulation levels.
Getting yourself a well-insulated water bottle is important, especially if you are riding in hot conditions, because it would help keep your cold water cool even after hours of riding to feel refreshed and recharged when you get a sip from it.
Design & Color
Even though the design and color don’t play a crucial part in the performance, it is still important to be careful while selecting the color and design. Don’t pick any flashy colors or super gorgeous designs as it would attract attention and increase the weight of the bottle.
Also, remember not to pick a mirrored bottle because its reflective surface can cause visual problems for other riders during racing.
Shape & Ease of Carrying It: What’s the Ideal Shape for a Water Bottle?
Another important aspect to consider while buying is its shape. It is important because its shape determines how snugly it would fit into your bike's bottle cage and how easy it would be to carry around.
Besides your personal preferences for the shape of the bottle, you must look for a simple shape and hold an adequate amount of water to keep you fully hydrated during your rides.
Moreover, don’t forget to choose an ergonomic one as it would allow you one-handed operation so that you don’t have to stop bike just to drink water.
Size: What Size Should I Choose?
The size of your water bottle is crucial because it will determine the amount of liquid you can hold inside and affect your bike's overall weight. If it is large, it will obviously weigh more and increase the weight of your bike.
On the other hand, it is important to have a larger bottle to hold enough liquid so that you can keep yourself hydrated through the length of your journey. Therefore, you must find a bottle with an excellent weight to size ratio to enjoy the most out of it.
Bottle Capacity
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the capacity while making your purchase. The bottle capacity is important as it determines the amount of water it can hold at a time to keep you well-hydrated during your riding sessions.
Usually, water bottles come with 500 to 750ml, but experts suggest that experts drink around a liter of water per hour, it’s better to pick one that offers 750ml of water capacity.
Mouth Gape
While most people prefer narrow mouth neck as it is easy to drink water from these bottles, it’s always a great idea to buy a wide gape bottle for your biking activities.
This is because you can easily add ice cubes or put scoops of nutrition powder in your water to elevate its taste through a wide mouth gape. Moreover, a wide gape bottle is also easier to clean than a narrow neck.
Lid and Nozzle Design
One thing you should keep in mind while buying is its lid and nozzle design. The lid must be designed in such a way that it provides adequate security and prevents water leakage during the rides. If your water leaks, you might not have enough water to end your journey.
Similarly, the nozzle design is crucial as it influences the flow of water from the bottle. If the nozzle is too wide, there will be increased water flow and you might spill over water while sipping.
On the other hand, if the nozzle is too narrow, you won’t get adequate water and might even struggle to sip out.
Cap Designs
Caps of bottles are available in varieties of designs. But before making your final purchase, you have to make sure that the cap is easy to open and easy to close, especially with one hand or with your mouth.
This is because, during intense riding sessions, when you need to drink water, you wouldn’t have to stop the bike to open the lid and then intake the water.
In addition to easy maneuverability, make sure that the lid is also leak-proof for additional safety.
Coated Interiors
Some water bottles come with coated interiors while the others don’t. It is better to buy a bottle with interior coating, especially silicone ones, as it prevents decreasing the taste of the water and promises to keep it tasty and healthy.
The silicone also acts as a barrier to keep away germs and bacteria from affecting the water and keep it safe for you.
Leak-proof
As you are going to take this bottle with you on long rides, it must be leak-proof. Otherwise, there are high chances that the water will spill over and there won’t be any water left when you need to hydrate yourself.
Spout Type
While getting one for cycling, make sure to check the spout type. While some feature a simple ‘push-pull’ type click valve, others come with more complex ones. Some valves are also lockable to prevent water spillage.
For cycling purposes, please choose the one that gets out the water quickly and has a lockable valve to keep the liquid in place.
BPA-free
If you intend to buy, make sure that it is BPA-free before making your purchase. BPA-free bottles are a must as BPA has the ability to disturb your endocrine and can cause serious health issues over time.
Transparency
If you are someone who prefers drinking only normal water, then transparency is not necessary.
But if you like to mix sports powders in your water and take it to your riding sessions, a transparent bottle is important because you would want to see the amount of water before deciding how much powder to mix.
Some transparent bottles also come with measuring strips on the side for the maximum convenience of the riders.
Ease of Cleaning
As you are drinking water, it must be always kept clean to ensure your health’s safety. And that’s why buying a bottle that is easy to clean is super important.
When you are cleaning, you are not only making it shiny but at the same time, you are also wiping out bacteria buildup and removing any strong taste and smell from it to keep the water germ-free.
Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
How Do I Clean My Cycling Water Bottle?
Cleaning your water bottle is very easy if you follow the right steps. Start off by washing and rubbing the rim as more bacteria grow around it.
Then move inside and, using hot water and soap, scrub it with gentle pressure to remove any traces of mold and mildew from the inside.
Once you are done cleaning the inner section, wipe the outer part too with soap to remove the dirt and dust. After that, rinse it in plain water to get a clean, germ-free container.
How Often Should I Clean My Water Bottle?
You must clean your water bottle every day- there shouldn’t be any exception to this rule. However, cleaning and washing every day would not create germs and bacteria buildup inside and keep odor-free.
Also, while washing your bottle, don’t forget to thoroughly clean both the outer and inner parts.
Are Peloton Water Bottles Dishwasher Safe?
Yes, Peloton water bottles dishwasher are completely safe. If you don’t want to clean them manually, you can always put them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
However, if you wash these bottles in the dishwasher, you have to follow the instruction manual to ensure you don’t damage your water bottle operating technology.
How Do I Clean a Water Bottle Mouthpiece?
Cleaning a water bottle mouthpiece might be a little tricky. First, to clean the mouthpiece properly, you need to pull out the main bite valve and take out the straw.
Then to wash it, you can either put it in the dishwasher or do it manually. If you are cleaning it manually, make sure that you use warm soapy water.
What Are the Top Brands for Cycling Water Bottles Today?
The company that manufactures bikes also makes biking water bottles. Some of the most popular cycling water bottle brands today are:
- Elite
- Camelback
- Polar
- Fabric
- Schwinn
- Coleman
- Blackburn
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Cycling Water Bottle Also Called a Bidon?
Bidon is a French word that means a container in English. As a water bottle is also a container, it is also called a bidon in cycling crazy countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium.
What is the Right Time to Hydrate When Cycling?
The best practice is to stay hydrated throughout the riding session. According to experts, you should drink 500ml of water on the day of your racing just after you wake up to get your body functioning.
If it’s a hot day, don’t forget to take another 500ml an hour before you start cycling. And once you start the race, follow the rule “little and often” when drinking water.
How Big is a Water Bottle? Do Water Bottles Come in Standardized Sizes?
Water bottle come in different sizes and shapes. There is no standardizing size for this water container. From 500ml to 750ml, there are several different sizes available for you to choose from.
Are Cycling Water Bottles Made for Cyclists Only?
Even though a cycling water bottle's main purpose is to serve cyclists only, there is no rule that others can’t use it also. Therefore, if you love the bottle and want to drink water from it, you must buy it regardless of whether it is a water bottle for biking.
Are All Cycling Water Bottles Insulated?
No, all are not insulated. While some excellent bottles come with insulation or temperature control, others don’t. And that’s why you must check for insulation before making your purchase.
How Much Water Should I Drink When Cycling?
Staying hydrated is very important when you are riding a bike. It helps you to maintain your energy level so that you can continue your ride without feeling tired. Generally, it is advised to drink 12—16 ounces of water each hour you ride.
However, if you are riding in super-hot weather, you should increase the water intake to 16 ounces per hour to make up for the water you lose for sweating.
Which is the Best Way to Carry a Cycling Water Bottle?
The best way to carry a water bottle on bike is by using a cage. Your bottle will not only be safe in the cage, but at the same time, it is convenient to carry.
If your bike doesn’t come with a built-in bottle holder, it would be better to mount one separately.
Can Reusing Water Bottles Be Harmful?
Well, it depends on the construction material and the quality of the bottle. If you use a stainless steel one for your ridings, then reusing it won’t be harmful as long as you keep it clean.
On the other hand, reusing plastic bottles can cause serious health hazards. These can leech chemicals and let bacteria and germs grow quickly.
Can My Water Bottle Make Me Sick?
Yes, your bottle can make you sick if you do not clean it properly and let germs and bacteria grow inside it.
Also, if you are using plastic ones rather than others, there are high chances that your water container will eventually make you sick.
Wrapping Up
Riding your cycle with a water bottle mounted on it is the best. You can keep yourself hydrated during your riding sessions to give the best performance.
And now that you know how to choose cycling water bottle, we hope that you would give even better cycling performances during your racings.
