21 ounce bottles not cutting it for long endurance rides? Go bigger! Large bike water bottles can come in handy for big adventures where you can’t easily refill your water bottles and when you don’t want to wear a hydration pack.
Here are the best ones:
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Who needs a large bike water bottle?
If you go for long rides, you probably do. If you go for long rides on hot days, you definitely do. Upgrading your water bottles can be a game changer.
Assuming you need to drink 16 ounces of water per hour, regular water bottles will only last you 2-3 hours. (Even less if it’s hot.)
The problem is that most water bottles for cycling are 16-21 ounces; the bigger ones are 24 oz. If you go above that, you usually start to find bottles that are good for hiking and camping, but don’t fit into a standard size bike bottle cage. They get wider before they get taller, and they’re probably not flexible, so there’s no way you’re carrying them on your bike.
Of course, you can wear a hydration pack while road cycling. Plenty of people do wear hydration packs for their road rides, but I find it very uncomfortable.
So one of my top priorities when I began doing long road rides was to find the biggest water bottles that would fit on my bike. I found bottles that let me carry 32 ounces in each. That meant 64 ounces of water on my frame. I could even pop a little 16 ounce bottle into a jersey pocket if it was going to be a long, long day.
These days, there are even more options for the larger bike water bottles!
Here are my five favorites:
Best Bike Water Bottles That Hold 32 oz and Up
These are the best water bottles that allow you to carry 64 ounces – or more – using the two standard water bottle cages that are already on your bike.
They can all be pre-frozen or used with ice cubes to keep water cold the whole time (or even used with hot drinks if you’re out in cold weather).
Gatorade squeeze bottle (32 oz)
You’ve probably already seen these ubiquitous green and orange bottles at sporting events. But maybe you didn’t realize that:
- each one holds a whopping 32 ounces
- they fit in a standard bottle cage
This bottle has been around for decades, if not longer. My first pair were thin but stiff plastic bottles. The lid was hard plastic, even the spout.
But with every incarnation, the bottles became more user-friendly. They now have fancy caps with high flow spouts, much like the self-sealing Jet Valve on Camelbak Podium bottles!
The only downside is that you might not want a green water bottle.
The retail price of these bottles is just $5 each! You can also opt for a Gatorskin version – with an ergonomic shape, texture for better grip, and insulation to keep your drinks cold – for $15 each.
For bicycling use, I suggest choosing the basic one with straight walls, rather than the contoured version (which might fit your hand better, but not your bottle cage).
You can find these at any sporting goods store. Sometimes even at a department store, in the sporting goods aisle. And of course, Amazon.com.
On Amazon, the regular squeeze bottles come in a 2-pack. The fancy Gator-skin version bottles are sold individually. (Click links to check current prices.)
Fly Elite bottle 950 ml (32 oz)
The FLY ELITE is the lightest sports bottle available worldwide, for any given size (550 ml, 750 ml, or 950 ml).
They use a variable thickness, so the bottle is thicker on the base and thinner on the central body. This construction uses less material, so there’s less weight. But also, the thin sides make it easier for you to get a tight grip on the bottle and squeeze out lots of water with minimal pressure.
The large 950 ml size is available in clear or black colors.
Learn more at the Elite website.
Purchase on Amazon. (Click link to check current price.)
Zefal Magnum (33 oz)
This has been an old standby in the cycling community, a longtime favorite bottle of riders looking to carry more water. It’s a pretty basic bike bottle, just bigger.
The bottle is made in France. All Zéfal bottles are dishwasher safe.
You can usually find it in clear, white, or black colors. Price is around $10 each.
It’s easy to find at any bicycle retailer. And of course, it’s also available on Amazon.
Learn more at the Zefal website.
Purchase on Amazon.
SIS Wide Neck Bottle 980 ml (34 oz)
Science in Sport, known for their sports nutrition products, also sells a selection of water bottles, including a 980 ml one.
One cool innovation here is that the bottle features markings on the side to help you measure out doses of sports drink powder.
The company is based in the UK and I have never seen this bottle in person, so I can’t comment further.
Retails for $8.
Learn more at the Science in Sport website.
Purchase on Amazon.
Soma Fabrications Further water bottle (36 oz)
Taking it a step further is Soma Fab! The Soma Further is the largest water bottle designed to fit a standard water bottle cage!
The bottle is made in the USA from easy to grip and easy to squeeze BPA-free plastic. It’s available with either a Big Flow sip valve (traditional push/pull) or an Auto Seal sip valve.
It comes in one color: frosted clear.
It also provides graduation marks on the side to assist with hydration mixes.
Two of these babies will keep you hydrated for hours! But you’ll appreciate it even more if you have a full suspension bike with only one set of bottle bosses.
The bottle is 30cm (11 5/8″) tall; be sure to measure for clearance before you buy one.
Priced at $11.99, which is not much more than the other bottles on this list. You’ll probably have to purchase direct from Soma’s website (but you can check the dealer locator on their site).
Learn more and purchase at the Soma Fabrications website.
Water Bottle Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick comparison chart to help you select the best bottle for your needs.
Pay close attention to the height. That’s going to be the best indicator of whether or not the bottles will fit within your bike’s frame. (The diameter should be the same for all of them – about 73 mm.)
Bottle: Fly Elite
Capacity: 950 ml (32 oz)
Bottle diameter: 74 mm
Bottle height (full height, including lid): n/a
Weight: n/a
Bottle: Gatorade
Capacity: 32 oz
Bottle diameter: n/a
Bottle height (full height, including lid): 26cm (10″)
Weight: n/a
Bottle: SIS
Capacity: 980 ml (34 oz)
Bottle diameter: n/a
Bottle height (full height, including lid): 27cm (10 1/2″)
Weight: n/a
Bottle: Soma Further
Capacity: 1120 ml (38 oz)
Bottle diameter: n/a
Bottle height (full height, including lid): 30cm (11 5/8″)
Weight: n/a
Bottle: Zefal Magnum
Capacity: 33 oz (975 ml)
Bottle diameter: n/a
Bottle height (full height, including lid): 26cm (10 1/4″)
Weight: 114 grams
*Bottle measurements are listed as provided by the manufacturer.
Making the right choice depends on how much liquid you need to carry, the size and dimensions of your bike frame, and the number of and location of your mounts (e.g. some mountain bike frames only have space for one bottle while touring frames may have space for bottles on the seat tube, above the down tube, and below the down tube).
Recommended Water Bottle Cages
All these bottles fit within a standard size bottle cage. You don’t need to purchase anything different.
But keep in mind, a water bottle this size is going to be extra heavy when full! (The bottles themselves are still light; it’s the extra water that results in the additional weight.) So I recommend a quality stainless steel or titanium bottle cage to grip it securely.
Here are a few excellent choices:
Arundel stainless steel cage
Possibly the most beautiful water bottle cage, this is a stainless steel work of art, polished to a brilliant shine. It will hold your bottle securely, even on cobblestones.
$29.95
Learn more: www.ArundelBike.com
Buy online: www.Amazon.com
King Cage
Water bottle cages by King Cage are made in the USA (in Durango, Colorado to be specific). Available in stainless steel ($20) or titanium ($60). They are non-marking and super strong! They’ll hold bottles in place over any conditions.
Learn more: www.KingCage.com
Arundel Looney Bin
Another option is the Arundel Looney Bin. This one is meant to fit various size water bottles, so it fits some of the wider, general purpose (not bike specific) bottles out there. Really, it will hold anything from a convenience store bottle of H2O to a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. More specifically, it fits bottles 65-95 mm in diameter.
$25.95
Learn more: www.ArundelBike.com
Buy online: www.Amazon.com
Enjoy the extra miles you can ride now thanks to your large bike water bottles!
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).
are there any this big with insulation?
@Irvin
Unfortunately, no. The insulation takes up a lot of space so you aren’t going to find an insulated water bottle larger than maybe 24 oz.
It would be great if technological advancements allow for a Camelbak podium bottle or Polar bottle that is insulated, holds 32 oz of liquid, and still fits a narrow cage. Maybe someday!
it is miles easier to get a hydration pak. They hold more than 2-3 of these bottles and work regardless of the bike.
@Thomas
Yes, you make some good points and are absolutely correct! There are plenty of good reasons to choose a hydration pack. But… there are plenty of good reasons one may prefer to use bottles.
For instance:
> It’s easier to monitor your fluid intake – and the amount of fluid you have left – when you can simply look at the bottles.
> You can carry different types of liquids if you carry multiple bottles.
> It is easier to keep a bottle clean compared to a bladder or reservoir, especially if you use sports drinks.
> The most expensive bottle here is still much cheaper than a hydration pack.
There are many factors to consider. Personally I’ve hit a point where I have shelves overflowing with bike accessories, including various bottles and hydration packs. I use different options in different scenarios.