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Summer is here, the best - and longest - bike tours are on the horizon and nothing is more important than having enough to drink. We have tried out three new products that answer the big questions of mountain biking in their own way:
1) Why does my water bottle always smell so bad?
2) Bottle empty - what to do now?
Fidlock Fidguard Bottles: antibacterial without chemicals
On the first point, the company Fidlock - known for its magnetic holders and 'normal' water bottles - provides the antidote: they have developed antibacterial bike bottles. With the new Fidguard Bottles drinking bottles should remain hygienically fresh and neither stink nor develop an unhealthy breeding ground for germs. The new technology behind this prevents bacteria from colonising due to residual moisture in the bottle.
According to Fidlock, the medically proven process has a purely physical effect and no chemical substances have been added, which also means that the bottle does not have a special coating. This means that no bioactive substances, such as silver ions, are released when drinking. We have not subjected the Fidguard drinking bottles to any laboratory tests ourselves - only a purely practical test on our tours - but the long-term effectiveness of the technology is said to be laboratory-tested by the manufacturer.
Fidlock Fidguard water bottle for bikes in a practical test
We tested the large version of the Fidlock Fidguard water bottle with a capacity of 750 millilitres. In terms of size, this is borderline for some MTB frames. The 600 ml version is slightly shorter, but also fits into a normal bottle cage on the frame.
The first thing I noticed was that the bottle hardly smelled of plastic, which is pleasant and dispelled any worries about additives. The bottle is also quite sturdy, but can be easily compressed for drinking even with tired hands. The mouthpiece is relatively large but flat, and it is very easy to pull out with your teeth during the journey. The membrane in it seals well so that it does not drip or spill onto the frame while riding. To be on the safe side, it should be mentioned that the Fidlock drinking bottle cannot be transported in a bag. The mouthpiece must be pushed in. But then it is 100 % leakproof.
According to Fidlock, the entire bike bottle can be put in the dishwasher at up to 50 degrees for cleaning. The mouthpiece can be pulled onto the lid so that it can also be wiped through with a damp cloth. As with all plastic water bottles, we recommend cleaning the inside of the bottle with a damp cloth. not with brushes.
We alternately filled the Fidlock Fidguard drinking bottle with water, isotonic drinks and a milk-based buffer solution during the test with outside temperatures of mostly over 20 degrees - the latter in particular is a wonderful breeding ground for mouflon bacteria. The result:
- Water: No change in odour even after several days of standing and daily use without rinsing.
- Iso-Drink: After rinsing, the bottle hardly took on the odour of the drink - unlike some of our everyday bottles.
- Buffer solution: An unpleasant odour arose here after deliberately leaving it standing. But after rinsing with warm water, the odour disappeared.
The only drawback: the green print on the outside of the Fidlock water bottle rubs off very quickly in the bottle cage. Even when combined with dust in the holder, the bottle quickly becomes scored.
Details on the Fidlock Fidguard bike bottle
- 750 or 600 millilitre capacity
- Material:
PE (antibacterial, BPA-free, food-safe)
PP (antibacterial)
TPE (antibacterial)
silicone - BPA-free polyethylene (PE)
- Fast flow thanks to self-closing membrane for drip-free operation
- Dishwasher-safe up to 50 °C
- Prices:
600 ml - €9.99
750 ml - 12,99 Euro - Font colours: black / grey, coral, green, grey, purple
Fidlock Fidguard Twist Bottle 590: antibacterial and magnetic
From a technical point of view, the small Fidlock Twist Bottle 590 is identical to the one described above. It also has an antibacterial effect and a functional, comfortable mouthpiece. However, the Twist Bottle relies on the magnetic mounting system offered by Fidlock - called the Twist Base. This does save a little weight if you only consider the part of the system on the frame. According to Fidlock, the base only weighs 16 grams. However, the bottle must have the counterpart mounted, which weighs a few more grams - but above all has the small disadvantage that the water bottle holds less volume.
The curvature with several indentations inside the Fidlock drinking bottle also makes cleaning a little more difficult. It cannot simply be wiped out with a cloth - such cleaning is recommended despite the bottle's antibacterial effect.
The mouthpiece differs slightly from the Fidguard Bottle above - not only in colour, but also in shape. It doesn't need to be operated with the teeth; there is a fairly tight membrane inside, from which the contents flow when pressure is applied to the bottle. However, the mouthpiece does not claim to be leak-proof either. This is ensured by the green cap, which also protects against dirt.
For those unfamiliar with the magnetic twist cap: two strong magnets and a swivelling cap hold the bottle securely in place. No wobbling, no fumbling while riding to squeeze the bottle into a bottle cage. And even with dirt, it still works very reliably.
Details of the Fidlock Fidguard Twist Bottle 590 bike bottle
- 590 millilitre capacity
- Material:
PE (antibacterial, BPA-free, food-safe)
PP (antibacterial)
TPE (antibacterial)
silicone - BPA-free polyethylene (PE)
- Fast flow thanks to self-closing membrane for drip-free operation
- Dishwasher-safe up to 50 °C
- Compatible with all Twist Base
- Prices:
As a replacement (without base and holder on the bottle) - 19.99 euros >> available here
Drinking bottle incl. holder - 44,99 Euro >> available here
Drinking bottle (holder + twist base) - 49,99 Euro >> available here
Quell Nomad filter bottle: independent of drinking water sources with the drinking bottle
The Quell Nomad filter bottle goes one step or many kilometres further. Whereas with conventional water bottles you are always dependent on a tap with drinking water, the Quell water bottle has an in-built water filter. It still fits into most bottle cages on the bike and is about the same length as the 750 ml bottle from Fidlock above.
According to the manufacturer's instructions, the filter must first be rinsed twice with the entire contents of the bottle and is then ready for use in "optically clear water". This means that any mountain stream, and probably most German bathing lakes, can now simply be used to refill the Nomad bottle! Briefly cool down the overheated biker body, then screw on the bottle and top up - and off you go! We found the idea fascinating and tried it out at the following waters:
- Rote Traun, Inzell
- Cold water line, Ohlstadt
- Walchensee, Urfeld
- Isar, Munich city centre
Quell Nomad filter drinking bottle in a practical test
After none of the "water samples" - we actually drank the entire 700 ml of the Quell Nomad bottle - there were any discrepancies with the digestive tract. The water tastes neutral, sensitive tongues may detect a little plastic flavour. Even when we tested adding cinnamon to the water, the filter got everything out and the filtered water tasted neutral again. Cinnamon is normally a very noticeable flavour/odour even in small quantities.
However, the mouthpiece and especially the filter are not as permeable as you would expect from drinking bottles without a filter. With the Quell Nomad drinking bottle, you have to squeeze hard to push the water through both. The plastic of the Quell filter bottle is quite firm and makes the process even more difficult. However, the protective cap on the drinking bottle is practical and can also be used as a small cup. The mouthpiece is also very easy to pull out with your teeth.
The Quell Nomad filter drinking bottle is designed to remove bacteria, viruses, parasites, microplastics, chlorine and heavy metals from the water. It therefore makes sense to replace the filter regularly: either after 200 litres (approx. 300 fills) or after 2 to 3 months. At a unit price of around 12 euros for a filter, this is not an insanely expensive endeavour. In return, you are really independent on tours and don't have to ask yourself again at the stream: Can I really drink this - or will I be ill afterwards? Only seawater can't desalinate the drinking bottle - the funny man with the sweet sodas has to come round.
Details of the Quell Nomad drinking bottle with filter
- Bottle volume 700 ml
- Bottle cage-compatible size (23 x 7.5 cm)
- Dishwasher-safe (except filter insert)
- Made from BPA-free food grade material
- 100 % recyclable (except filter insert)
- Filters bacteria, microplastics, viruses, parasites, trace elements from medicines, chlorine and heavy metals (lead, copper, iron), among other things
- Sea water can not be filtered
- Replace the filter element after approx. 300 fillings (approx. 200 litres) or 2-3 months
- Price: 39,95 Euro >> available here
- Price replacement filter: individually for 11.95 euros / set of 3 for 32.95 euros
- Available in blue and crystal clear
Marc Strucken
Editor
