XLAB Mini Wing 105 Dual Bottle Rear Hydration System for Triathlon and Road Bikes

After reading through the reviews, I was a little worried that these rear hydration cages would be difficult to install (I'm am NOT mechanically inclined, despite the fact that I own 5 bikes). The directions were not great, but I was able to figure it out with a little trial and error installing the first cage. It only took me about 15 mins to get both cages installed! The fit is snug, and my bottles stayed in place during a race on some very bumpy pavement. For the price, I am really happy with this system and would recommend it.

This thing is engineered for weight, there is near zero extra material and the fasteners are as short as possible. All of this lends itself to more difficult installation. And a lot packed into a small space. Let me give you some installation tips not included in the instructions:1) Remove your seat from the bike. You have many more angles to get a hex wrench in there than a stand will ever provide. Also if you have carbon rails, don't even try. I left the seat on the seatpost.2) It comes with two sets hardware depending on your seat (short or longer with spacer). The instructions tell you to assemble both; save yourself a bit of trouble and only assemble one to see if you need the longer hardware. I have a Fizik Aliante and the shorter set of hardware was adequate. I also have my seat mounted pretty far back on the seatpost so I didn't have interference. Depending on your seat and where you have it adjusted, your outcome may vary and you may need the longer hardware with the extra spacers.3) Once you have the bottle cages assembled, put bottles in them before attempting to install on your seat. There is a bit of adjustment, and you want to tighten them to the seat and know you have enough space for the bottles.4) The bottle cage to the seat assembly uses the shortest possible hardware. I found some slightly longer bolts (I had a spare stem, same size as the faceplate bolts; now my spare stem is missing two faceplate bolts) was much appreciated to get started in the threads. This is an example of the weight-engineering done here, just a couple of extra millimeters makes this easier to assemble but also adds weight.5) Figure out how you are going to get your hex wrench in there. Don't be afraid to go off script. For example, they come with stickers that are intended toward the outside; however I found it easier to get a wrench in there if I installed the right side on the left side and the left side on the right. So I swapped left to right from the instructions. Maybe it was my seat, but take your time and test fit as it is very tight. These are two (2) independent units, so you have this flexibility. As the units are independent, take your time to make sure you mount them symmetrically otherwise it will look very amateur and sloppy. Again having your seat off makes this much easier.6) No way in the world you get a torque wrench anywhere near this, so take those torque settings with a grain of salt. Tight, but the hardware is small so don't get all ugga-dugga either.7) I assembled without loctite (I see some recommend using Red Loctite => if you need Loctite go with blue). I took it for a 65-km ride over areas where I have previously lost water bottles and didn't launch a bottle. Nothing loosened up, nothing moved (so apparently my hand-calibrated torque specs of tight were adequate). I appreciated the extra water bottles and suspect as the weather warms that I will come to appreciate even more.

Coming back to leave a review since when I purchased this most of the reviews stated it was difficult to install. Instructions that come in the package have directions on where an install video and more in-depth instructions are. Super easy to install using those directions. Take the time to visit the webpage and you'll be thankful.

I already didn't like this bottle holder because it doesn't hold my bottles well. A bottle flew loose on my first ride. But to be fair I have oversized 16oz bottles so I decided to deal with it. But today the thing just broke. The bottle mount pulled off of the metal base. The metal screw holding it on just pulled straight through the hole that holds the bottle holder onto the base. I've had it about 60 days, let's see if amazon will refund.

These look great, but they arrived missing key pieces of mounting hardware. It appeared the box had been opened and returned. I missed the short return window, but customer service was incredibly responsive about finding a solution.

These cages held my bottles secure for the entire Ironman Lake Placid course; especially the drop into Keene at 45 miles an hour. A lot of bottles are laying on the road in this section of the course from being ejected.

Great quality and snug grip for this price! Looks great.

Muy buenos