While we have shelves full of water bottles, I haven’t put a lot of thought into fluid flow. After spending time with the Elite Fly MTB sport bottle, I’ve gained an updated perspective on these portable water containers, as the fluid flow on the Elite bottles is hard to beat. They’re also quite light, and an inexpensive way to drop grams.
Features
- Detachable transparent plastic cap
- MSRP: $11
- BPA Free
- Dishwater safe
- 550 ml version tested & in use
- Also available in 750 ml & 950 ml size
On the trail
A water bottle is just a water bottle, right? Regardless of the brand, they all get scuffed up after a few rides, and they usually all taste like you’re drinking from a plastic bottle. That said, the Elite bottle is unique in a few aspects, and notably, I didn’t find the taste of water to be off at all.
The bottle has a light feel and minimal heft that goes along with it, which makes it easy to squeeze, and also boosts the flow rate of the liquids. The minimal heft is due to a variable wall thickness that is thinner in the middle while retaining materials at the ends so it’ll hold up over time.
It does have a different feel than typical bottles, as the middle of the bottle flexes considerably more than other bottles. Though it feels off initially, it does make it easier to squeeze the bottle and increases the amount of fluid flow. At first the flexy feel made me think it was going to break; not only has it held up, but after I adjusted the way I drink from it, I’ve become quite fond of it.
That said, the 550 ML bottle doesn’t hold that much, and when you’re able to drink that much more water, it doesn’t last as long. It’s too small for long rides, but is ideal for shuttle runs and sessions at the park where you can easily refill or top it off.
The Fly MTB is Elite’s “MTB-specific” bottle, which basically refers to the plastic spout cover that’s included. The transparent plastic cap protects the lid from dust, mud, and anything that could land on the spout while riding. Being that it rains so much in the PNW, we’re big fans of bottles with spout covers.
We like toting a bottle on our rides, and as the bulk of the bottles sitting in the pantry consider of Specialize Purist and Camelbak Podium bottles, so it’s always interesting to change things up and try a “racing” water bottle. I’ll admit it took me a minute to come around to the feel of the Fly bottle, but now that I’ve spent some time with it, I’m completely sold. In fact, I just ordered a larger volume version off Amazon, which is the highest accolade I can offer.
Before closing, it’s worth noting the 550 ml bottle has a compact profile to the spout section, which is a nice feature for smaller frames and frame designs with a minimal amount of clearance.
The Elite Fly MTB 550 ml bottle sells for $10.99. Learn more at elite-it.com or support the site by using our affiliate link at Amazon.com
Elite Custom RacePlus Bottle Cage
The Elite Custom RacePlus Bottle cage is ideal for riders looking for a lightweight bottle holder. It’s common to find the lightweight Custom Race cages from Elite adorning fast bikes on club rides, as it’s one of the more popular cages in the World Tour peloton.
The Custom RacePlus is the new and improved edition.
Features
- Listed weight: 40 g.
- Diameter: 74mm
- Material: fiber reinforced material FRP
At a glance the biggest change is the shape of the tension rubber piece. The top and bottom support sections are wider as well. The rubber insert is listed to self adjust the cage based on the diameter of the bottle, and minimize vibrations while riding. Either way, like the previous cage, it’s a snug fit, and presumably, it’ll relax a bit more over time. It takes a bit of effort to pull out, but it is reassuring to know your bottle will still be there, even when on bumpy single track.
It’s also 3 grams (listed) lighter than the CustomRace. Like the previous model, its available in a wide range of colors to accessorize your ride. The CustomRace and CustomRace Plus cages have found a home on my cross bike, which also serves double duty as my road bike and super commuter. As I often run high volume insulated stainless steel water bottles, the lightweight security adds peace of mind.
When running bags for touring or randonneuring, pulling out the bottle can be a bit challenging. While its a great option for road, cross, or XC mountain biking, I still prefer to run side access cages on my trail bikes due to the lack of space. (Note: Elite does offer the Prism side-entry models in carbon and FRP materials)
The Elite Custom RacePlus Bottle cages sell for $22.99. Learn more at elite-it.com
Looking to get a new cage or bottle? Shop with our links on Amazon.com and part of your purchase will go toward supporting this site.