Vintage Velo – Steel water-bottle cage

Spécialités
T. A. Steel Water-Bottle Cage
Ref: 215

Constructed from chromed steel and sporting a cheap-looking plastic bottle retainer, this bit of hardware was the water-bottle cage of choice for decades for many serious cyclists. Production started in the 1950s and carried on through to the 70s, but many in-the-know cyclists continued to use the cages into the late 80s. In fact, there are racing photos of Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in the mid-80s on their custom lightweight bikes sporting these steel cages. On the surface, the appeal of these cages seems misplaced; they didn’t look particularly special nor were they especially light. Despite these drawbacks, riders continued to use them because of one simple reason: few other cages held a bottle as securely. In fact, the Ref: 215 gained a cult following among mountain bikers in the late 80s because it prevented unexpected bottle-launching when riding over rough terrain, a common occurrence with other cages at the time. Unfortunately, as with most things in cycling, riders’ interests shifted elsewhere. On the mountain side, riders embraced hydration packs (and their hunchback aesthetic), while roadies pursued lighter cages. These trends offer some advantages, but they are not necessarily improvements on the humble Ref: 215. -G.A.