Pricey, but still a great value. I started using these eight years ago. At the time, they were not only the best carbon water bottle cages, they were the best water bottle cages available.
I finally ejected a water bottle from a Mandible. At the bottom of a steep hill in downtown LA, Street Maintenance put down two steel cover sheets with insufficient ramping. Both inner tubes blew out and a rim wall buckled. It takes an incident with that much force for an Arundel Mandible to eject a water bottle.
The traditional bottle cages were causing issues with the bottles falling out and causing possible injuries to other riders. The Arundel Mandible cages hold the bottles snug and not to tight for easy removal. The cages are light weight, strong, and are attractive yet very functional. The older style cages would allow the bottles to slip out when riding a bumpy road and be either broken or lost. Good product for the safety feature a bit pricey but well worth the investment. Nothing worst than to go backwards when looking for a water bottle during a ride.
Replaced the great CYFAC cages that came with my bike, due to one having been stolen. These are not the very lightest cages, but offer super secure grip on your bottles which are not going to get launched when you hop over the next set of railroad tracks. I dig the look on my frame, I have a pair of them.
Previous to my purchase of the Mandible Carbon Cages I was using the more traditional water bottle cages and was having problems with the bottles falling out. This was a hazard when cycling with other riders and usually the bottle were either damaged or lost. The Mandible Carbon Cages are light weight and very strong they have a tight grip on the bottles but easy to remove. When riding over bumpy roads the bottles do not move or fall out. There is more cost but worth the investment. I have recommended the Mandibles Carbon Cages to other riders.
What is the saying, strong, light, cheap...pick two? It is amazing that a cage this light can be this strong. If there is any fault at all, it is that the bottle is VERY secure. There is no slippage, no rattling and absolutely no launching. This may be the best bottle cage ever designed. Light enough for the most expensive, light weight steeds, great carbon look and does its job to hold the bottle. What more can you ask for? Okay, maybe a little cheaper...
My LBS carries the same product but at a considerably higher price. These are well made bike cages that will not release your bottle until you are ready to pull it from the cage. Cages are made locally, so I have to support them!
The mandible is a great holder, it looks really cool on my Ridley. I would have given it 5 stars but it's a little snug putting in an insulated bottle like the Camelbak. Other non-insulated bottles work great, your bottle will stay put.
On my frame I have King Ti cages. However, I have attach XLab Super Wing to my seat for long rides where I need more than two bottles. The Super Wing cages are at a more horizontal angle than the frame cages and I went through a few different cages before I bit the bullet and bought the Mandible. The only time I have lost a bottle in them is when I didn't put one in properly. They hold my Camelback Podiums very securely. They look great, too, with different colors and finishes to choose from. I am a very satisfied customer.
I finally sprang for really nice cages on a fancy new bike. I've used cheap cages for years and had some nice Ti ones too (Blackburn) that finally broke after a decade. These are very spendy but it's really easy to get your bottles in and out and so far none of bounced loose on bumpy roads. I've used them a couple months. I'm hoping my bottles don't get as scuffed up too-I think this is the case.
If you are looking for a light bottle cage that is also secure on both road or mountain bikes this is a good choice. I've used these for hundreds of miles of road and MTB riding as well as XC racing. I've never lost a bottle and they show no signs of wear.
Let's face it, this isn't exactly a performance upgrade but if you're looking for a lightweight bottle cage that holds on tenaciously, this is a great choice. I replaced a set of aluminum cages with these and could hardly get the Camelbak Podium bottles in and out. Definitely don't have to worry about one slipping out on the trail.
I used King Ti cages on my Ti bikes but when I went carbon, a carbon cage seemed in order.
These are what went on my new Parlee and they are really nice.
Glad I went this route.