Have you ever wanted to carry your spare tube and tool kit inconspicuously? You don’t want it in your pocket, and you sure don’t want an ugly seatbag attached to your beautiful bicycle. What do you do?
Well, you can get a bike repair kit that fits in a container that fits in your water bottle cage! If you take short trips and don’t require two bottles of water, you might like this solution.
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8 Bottle Cage Tool Storage Options
Here are eight options for stashing your gear in an extra bottle cage:
Lezyne Flow Tool Caddy Pro
The Lezyne “Flow” line of products is the premier design when it comes to adding extra storage in or on your bottle cages. The Flow Tool Caddy Pro is a water bottle sized tool box.
There is enough room for a spare tube, tire lever, patch kit or tire plugs, CO2 inflater and cartridges, and a mini tool with integrated chain tool.
This product offers the ultimate in convenience. It’s easy to carry and it’s easy to move between bikes. And with a full zipper and internal organization pockets, it’s very user friendly, like opening up a suitcase.
$29.99
Link: www.Lezyne.com
Lezyne Flow Storage Cage
The Flow Storage Cage is a standard water bottle cage with an additional tool compartment attached. This allows you to carry some important tools in addition to your standard water bottle. There is enclosed storage for a multi tool, and there are straps on the sides to hold CO2 cartridges.
Starting at $21.99 for the cage only; up to $64.99 for loaded versions (which include tools + CO2 cartridges).
$21.99
Link: www.Lezyne.com
Soma Stash Bottle
The Stash Bottle is quite simply a plastic container with a screw-top lid. It fits in your bottle cage and has a wide opening so you can toss your stuff in it.
This style is sometimes called a “tool keg” because it resembles a keg more than a standard bottle. This is a great choice for infrequent use when you’re willing to sacrifice added features to save money.
Pro tip: Just use some rags for padding and you have yourself a free “anti-rattle” liner!
$6.99
Link: www.somafab.com
Cage Rocket
The Cage Rocket is a plastic container that is shaped much like a water bottle (or a rocket ship). It fits in your bottle cage, has a foam lining, and it has a neat flip-top lid which allows you to access its contents without removing it from the bottle cage. A waterproof version is available.
Made in the USA.
$11.95 for regular. $16.95 for waterproof.
Link: www.cagerocket.com
Topeak Cagepack
Topeak Cagepack gets the details right. It offers multiple internal compartments: there’s a sleeve to hold your tools securely, and a divider to prevent damage to anything in the pocket on the other side (e.g. a tube).
It’s fancy, but it’s priced significantly higher than any other product on this list!
(Trek used to make something called the “Water Bottle Softshell Pack” which was a lot like this. But it must be discontinued.)
$42.95
Link: www.Topeak.com
Topeak Ninja Series
Topeak offers a full-fledged system to carry various tools, all by attaching to water bottle bosses or hiding within other bike components.
The line includes special bottle cages with attachment points at the base. These allow you to mount mini tools or CO2 cartridges behind your bottle. One of the cages even has built-in tire levers.
You could combine these products with the Topeak Cagepack and gain quite a bit of storage space!
Link: www.Topeak.com
XLAB Mezzo Cage Pod
The Mezzo Cage Pod stores repair items and other essentials in any standard water bottle cage. Screw top design is waterproof. Multiple sizes available.
750ml capacity and 101g weight with bag. Includes a soft cloth bag to eliminate rattling.
$11.95
Link: www.XLAB-USA.com
Co-op Cycles K.E.G. Bike Tool Storage Bottle
Lending new meaning to the “tool keg” idea, the K.E.G. fits all of your ‘Key Emergency Gear’ in a standard-size bottle cage. The REI Co-op Cycles K.E.G. Bike Tool Storage bottle fits tools, extra tubes, a patch kit, or even a phone.
Note: This product is currently out of stock.
$11.95
Link: www.REI.com
Why Bottle Cage Storage?
If you’re wondering what the point of all this is, allow me to explain. There are many benefits to bottle cage tool storage products:
- Get tools out of your jersey pockets. Carrying tools in your jersey pockets can be uncomfortable. These bottles let you carry tools on your bike rather than in your pockets.
- No need for a seatbag. Some cyclists dislike the look of a seatbag. Sometimes mountain bikers can’t use a seatbag.
- Positions the weight of your tools lower. A lower center of gravity improves your stability, so keeping weight lower is better. These tool boxes allow you to position the weight on your bike’s down tube, which is about as low as you can get. (Added bonus: less weight on your back improves comfort, too.)
- Very secure storage. Tools can slip out of your pockets, especially when mountain biking. Spare tubes strapped underneath your down tube can be easily damaged. With one of these, your tools are contained securely, and they are tucked securely away inside the front triangle.
But there is one major drawback:
- How do you carry water now? Using a bottle cage for tool storage may limit the number of water bottles you can carry.
If you only use one water bottle, or your hydration needs are covered by a Camelbak waist pack, one of these bottle cage toolboxes could be ideal.
This article was originally published on September 25, 2008. It was updated and republished on June 28, 2022.
Levi Bloom is an experienced endurance athlete who has been training and competing for over 17 years. A former Cat 1 road and mountain bike racer (professional class on the regional circuit), he is now a cycling coach (USA Cycling Level 3 Certified) and sports nutrition coach (Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified).
“Why Bottle Cage Storage?” you’re missing a critical point: when commuting, installing and removing the saddle bag constantly is tedious. A bottle is fast to remove and bring with you.