[leadin]Bike bottles and the cages that hold them onto a frame have remained mostly unchanged for decades. A new option uses magnets for easier access to water as you ride.[/leadin]
The Koala Bottle looks normal — until you notice the magnetized metal ring around the top. Small silver magnets are embedded in the polycarbonate cage.
Drop the bottle into its cage and the magnets click together, securing the bottle into place. It’s a slick setup on the bike, a no-fuss move when you reach down to grab a drink.
The strong magnets keep the bottle secure even over bumps. Indeed, you have to tug with some force to get the bottle disengaged.
So far I like the system. The low-profile cage is easy to use and it looks slick, too.
Another advantage: Because the cage is so low profile a bottle can be snuck in from the side. This lets you mount the Koala system on tight bike frames where other bottle cages will not fit.
The bottles are made of BPA-free plastic. They are dishwasher safe; you don’t need to remove the magnet ring before cleaning.
Koala products are made in the USA. The company is based in South Carolina, and the bottles and cages are constructed respectfully in California and Detroit.
They are sold online at Koalabottle.com and in bike shops around the country. Koala bottles cost $8 apiece. The company sells a cage and bottle package for $27.
You can also purchase the magnet rings to add an electromagnetic connection to existing bottles sitting around in your home.
