Bicycle flasks: types, advice on selection and care
Riding a bicycle requires significant physical costs, which means that during long walks, a person simply needs to have a bottle of water with him. This can cause inconvenience, as there are problems with its placement, and it is also unrealistic to drink without stopping. A bicycle flask comes to the rescue. How to choose it correctly, how to use and care for it, we will tell you in our article.
Advantages
Some bikes have special holders that can hold a regular plastic bottle. However, according to user reviews, using a bicycle bottle instead has a number of advantages.
It should be noted reliable fastening system. It fixes the accessory, and it is not lost even when the ride is rather aggressive. This is very important, as the bottle, falling out of the holder, will attract attention and the cyclist will have to stop to pick it up. Besides, it can damage the bike and cause it to fall.
Users find that the flask has a very comfortable shape. It fits comfortably in the athlete's hand. To make it more convenient, some models have rubber inserts.
There is also a cover that makes it possible to open the flask while moving with one hand, when the other is on the steering wheel... This will be problematic with a regular bottle. In addition, the protective flap will prevent dust from entering, regardless of the conditions in which the athlete is.
Also, one cannot fail to say about safety. Bicycle flasks are made from food grade polymers, which are absolutely harmless to human health. The same cannot be said about a simple bottle: during use, it can be damaged, which will lead to the release of harmful substances into the water.
Varieties
There is a huge selection of bicycle flasks on store shelves. All of them are securely fixed to the bike frame. Accessories can be divided into several varieties, depending on the material of manufacture. Consumers can purchase plastic, aluminum and ceramic products, as well as a thermos bicycle flask. There are both adult and special children's models.
The plastic jar, as the name suggests, is made of food grade plastic. The material is very durable, odorless, unlike bottles. In addition, these flasks are very lightweight and cost effective.
You can purchase flask made of aluminum. Undoubtedly, it will turn out to be more durable and reliable, but at the same time it will weigh an order of magnitude more. Scratching may occur when these accessories are attached to the bike frame.
Ceramic flask also has an aluminum or plastic base, but differs with a ceramic layer applied on top. It protects the container from heating and does not allow the liquid to cool down. This is very convenient when the temperature of the drink is important for the athlete. It is especially important to use such flasks in summer, when the water heats up quickly under the rays of the scorching sun.
And finally thermoflask... In fact, this is a thermos cycle flask, which has differences in design. They allow the accessory to be fixed in a special holder.
Are now becoming popular bicycle flasks with a built-in filter. They allow you to improve the quality of water in the event that you have to use regular or tap water. This is true when it is not possible to buy a drink in a store.
Dimensions (edit)
The choice of flask sizes depends on the needs of the cyclist. For children and women who travel on a bike for a short time, a capacity of 0.25 liters will be enough.
The accessory will be lightweight and convenient to use.
If the person takes longer walks, it is optimal to purchase of a flask with a volume of 0.5 and 0.6 liters. They are securely fixed to the steering wheel. Larger containers, containing 0.75 and 1 liter of liquid, are relevant in the case when a person spends a long time in motion.
Fastening
The holder is usually a kind of rim for a flask, as well as a container retainer. You can purchase a model for a specific size flask, as well as a universal one. Mostly the accessory is placed directly on the bike frame or handlebar, which is especially convenient for the athlete. But there are exceptions - and in these cases, the mount is installed on the saddle frame.
Most often, fasteners are made of aluminum, plastic or stainless steel. If necessary, 2 holders can be installed at once. They will allow you to comfortably accommodate 2 medium-sized flasks.
Care
As far as grooming is concerned, it is mandatory and must be regular. This will help keep the product in good condition.
After the bike ride has been completed, the flask must be cleaned from the dirt and dust that has settled on it. It is they who, lingering on the container, can scratch it, respectively, over time, it will become unusable. Sometimes it is enough to wipe the elements with a damp cloth, in other cases it will be necessary to act in more detail.
It is also important that the flask must be washed from the inside.
Plastic containers should not be rubbed with brushes. You can use ordinary running water in combination with non-aggressive detergents.
Ceramic and aluminum models can be cleaned with a brush.
If washing is not carried out on time, plaque will begin to form inside the container, and a persistent unpleasant odor will appear due to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. Taking care of your bike flasks is a snap. The main thing is to carry it out on time, then the product will serve for a long time.
This accessory is designed to make cycling as comfortable as possible. Timely maintenance will extend the service life.
See below for how to choose a bicycle flask.