Motivation

I purchased some Canyon water bottle side loader cages to use with a half-frame bag but didn't realize that you need one of each direction in order to have 2 that load from the same side, so I designed one that I could print to have one of each.

Details

The cage is designed to hold standard 73mm outer diameter bottles, but the upper neck is a few mm narrower to grip the bottle better. The cage works well with my CamelBak Podium 24oz watter bottles. I tried to design this cage without additional hardware because that seems to be more popular.

You load the water bottle by placing the base of the bottle at and angle into the open bottom ring then tilting it up into the upper ring.

Changelog

June 21, 2026: I broke a "v2" version after running over a pothole with a full bottle on the seat tube. I increased the wall thickness of the cage from 3mm to 3.5mm and posted this as the "v3" version.

May 10, 2026: I managed to break a cage at the spine, so I added material to the spine and posted this modification as the "v2" version.

Printing Tips

• I recommend printing these in something like ABS/ASA or PETG for their superior mechanical properties compared to PLA.

• I haven't printed these in PLA, so your mileage may vary if you choose to do so. If you print these in PLA the grip will be firmer, but there is a higher chance of something breaking, and the PLA will also creep more over time, loosening the cage's grip.

• I print with 4 perimeters with a 0.4mm nozzle (ie. 1.6mm wall thickness), but you can increase/decrease the number of perimeters to adjust the ring stiffness (ie. use more perimeters for a stronger grip on the bottle).

• I tried printing the model 2 ways: 1) with the upper clamp ring flat on the bed and 2) with the stopper flat on the bed. Both cases require good bed adhesion and supports and use about the same amount of filament.

• I use paint-on organic/tree supports to support the helix feature and ring, as without that my printer nozzle would hit them and potentially lift the print off the bed. Using z-hop or slowing down travel moves might make this unnecessary.

• Mirror the part in the slicer if you need a cage that faces the other direction.