I like my water to be ice-cold when I am biking. I tried a bunch of things with my standard issue water bottle - filling it with ice cubes and adding pre-chilled water, filling it with ice cubes and a little pre-chilled water, freezing some water in the bottle and adding some pre-chilled water.... regardless of what combination I tried the water was tepid after 45 minutes. I looked for a couple of weeks at all the offerings that Amazon had when you search for insulated water bottle, and after using this one for 2 weeks I can say that I purchased the hands down best one for using on my bike.
My normal ride is going to be anywhere from 80 to 120 minutes in length. I get a glass full of ice and add water and let it chill for the 5 minutes it takes me to get my gear on. The screw off top makes it easy to pour the water in and the 4 or 5 ice-maker ice-cubes I top it off with. The cubes will still be in the bottle at the end of the ride and the water will have been ice cold for the duration. It is easy to pull it out of the cage and to replace it when done. I purchased a
Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage to hold it because it is adjustable and highly rated. It works well with the bottle, although while it doesn't scratch the bottle, it is possible to see in the brushed finish where it contacts the bottle as it is taken out and put back in. The marks seem to mostly disappear when I rub with my thumb, but if you are desirous of the bottle keeping a pristine appearance you might want to look at some of Topeak's other offerings. To me, it is easier to drink from this bottle than one of the normal bottles with the pull-out nipple. One push of the thumb on the release button and the top springs open and exposes the wide mouth spout. The bottle does not add any flavor to the water. The cap is equally easy to close as it was to open, and the bottle does not leak when it is inverted, shaken, etc. I was somewhat nervous about the shape of the bottle as far as dropping it, but now that I have used it I have found that the ridged rubber grip on the bottle and the fact that it is not slippery because it does not sweat have put that fear to rest. Opening and closing the bottle are both one handed operations and can be accomplished by touch. I am sure that there will be some that wish it held more than 18 ounces, and if I extend out my rides to where it's a problem for me I guess I'll just buy a second one and mount it so that I could swap out as needed.
