Tacx Radar bottle cage

The Tacx Radar bottle cage is marketed as a side-entry design, intended to overcome the access problems associated with full size bottles and smaller geometry frames. It's well made and a decent alternative to more traditional cages, but others with more literal side-entry seem superior when space is at a premium – and some are cheaper to boot.

• Pros: Decent quality materials, easier entry/retrieval than traditional designs
• Cons: Expensive, less effective on smaller compact geometry framesets than side-entry 'proper' designs

The Radar isn't a side-entry design in the commonly accepted sense, rather, bottles are inserted and accessed at an angle. Admittedly, this makes entry and retrieval easier than would be the case with a traditional, top-entry design, but the Radar wasn't as compatible with my rough stuff tourer's small main triangle as Lezyne's Flow SL.

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Like several others I've tested over the years, the Radar is adjustable to suit left/right-handed riders, but unlike Topeak's Shuttle, for example, there's no adjustment, which buys some additional room.

I typically run a 1.5 litre PET type cage on the down tube, which can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand it's super-convenient for lugging soft drinks bought at rest stops, but it eclipses the seat tube. Some cages will overcome this problem; the Tacx couldn't. An unusual configuration perhaps, but something to consider.

Testing aside, I wouldn't entertain mounting it beneath the down tube either, since clearance, even with a 600ml bottle, was in hair's breadth territory.

Bottle tenure/compatibility

I've tried the Radar with a range of standard and not-so-standard bottles with excellent results. Out of curiosity, I loaded it with an old school lead acid lighting battery – a great test for a cage's rigidity. Subjected to several miles of unmade roads at 18mph, there were no ejections, and chatter over rough surfaces was minimal.

I also tried the Relaj bottle, which is a quirky favourite of mine but cage compatibility is very hit and miss. It slid in effortlessly and the ribs caressed its curves perfectly, so again no problems with ejection or chatter.

Compatibility with standard 750ml bottles was perfect, 800ml too – when ported over to larger framesets.

I did find the Radar less intuitive to use than some, taking a few rides to perfect gunslinger-quick draws/repatriation. Having mastered it, I ported it over to a set of saddle rail mounts, which occasionally grace my TT bike. Traditional cages often result in the bottle catching my buttocks mid grab – especially with a standard 750ml size. The Radar's angled release largely eliminated this, and opting for a 600ml bottle proved the cure.

Materials/construction

The Radar is made from a sturdy, high quality GRP (glass reinforced plastic), which isn't the lightest of composites but strikes an excellent balance between compliance and bottle tenure.

The bottle-grasping component is shaped like a rib cage and features a stabiliser foot and top slide. These are reversible, depending on whether you are right or left-handed, and slot together reassuringly well. Mounting bolts are stainless steel, and long enough to accommodate mini pump brackets.

Conclusion

The Radar is a solid, reliable cage and offers some advantages over traditional cages, regardless of frame type. That said, it's not a side-entry design in the commonly accepted sense, and where main triangle space is at a premium, proper side-entry models are superior – and some a good bit cheaper too.

Verdict

Decent cage but there are better options for smaller framesets