Chrome steel water bottles are rising in quantity and recognition, and for good motive. Not solely are they sturdy, however they’re additionally simple to scrub, don’t retain funk and flavors, and are theoretically more healthy and extra environmentally pleasant than plastic. Plus, the insulated ones will maintain your drinks colder for longer in scorching climate.
Plastic insulated bottles are nonetheless extra quite a few, cheaper, and lighter weight, however stainless-steel has its benefits. There’s no scarcity of stainless-steel bottles to select from as of late, with manufacturers like Bivo and Camelbak main the cost. The upstart model, tiibo, not too long ago got here out with its first stainless-steel insulated bottles, and I bought my palms on one to see the way it performs.
I’ve been utilizing the 17-ounce tiibo vacuum-insulated stainless-steel biking bottle for the previous couple of weeks. It’s a water bottle, so there actually isn’t all that a lot to it, however I’ve been impressed by its skill to maintain my water chilly in scorching temperatures, the dearth of taste/funk retention, and fashionable seems — I’m a giant fan of brushed metallic finishes. It has some very minor drawbacks, but it surely shares these with comparable merchandise, and it beats most of these barely on worth.
Retains beverage colder for longer
Brushed end seems stylish
No funky style
No squeeze hi-flow nozzle works effectively
Matches effectively in most bottle cages
Priced competitively with different insulated stainless bottles
Heavier weight than plastic
Bigger measurement for quantity
Cap could be cussed to unscrew if/when overtightened
Can dent or scratch end if mishandled
Biking water bottles are a dime a dozen. If, like me, you do a couple of races and occasions yearly, you’ve in all probability bought extra water bottles than you might presumably ever use in a lifetime. It is smart. They’re a number of the most reasonably priced swag to slap your model or occasion identify on. However at this level, they’ve primarily turn out to be disposable, which is unlucky given that the majority of them are made from plastic.
However past having too lots of them in my cupboard, I don’t typically give water bottles that a lot thought. I put water in them, drink it, wash them, and that’s about it. Nonetheless, I can’t deny that my on-bike fluid consumption expertise might be higher. On scorching days, my water is usually fairly heat by the point I drink it, and it nearly at all times tastes a bit of bit like outdated plastic or the electrolyte combine I used on the final trip.
tiibo Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle Particulars
The tiibo model is comparatively new, and its product line consists of simply two sizes of the Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle. They arrive in 17 and 23-ounce sizes, with each made particularly for biking and formed to suit into bottle cages. Whatever the measurement/quantity, tiibo’s insulated bottles are made with “food-grade 304 stainless-steel” with a double-wall vacuum-insulated design.
The lid is made out of BPA polypropylene (food-grade plastic), and the nozzle and air-exchange tube are made out of food-grade silicon. Provided that it’s an insulated stainless-steel bottle, you’ll be able to’t squeeze it, so the nozzle has an air-vent system, and the “excessive move fee provides a gentle move with out leaks or fuss.” The opening of the bottle is comparatively giant, making it simple to fill with ice cubes or attain inside with a sponge or bottle brush. The model additionally says it’s top-rack dishwasher secure for straightforward cleansing.
My 17-ounce bottle measures 9.6 inches tall and a pair of.9 inches in diameter (24.3 cm x 7.4 cm). On my scale, it weighs 250 grams, which is strictly what the model claims. I don’t have the 23-ounce measurement to measure and weigh, however tiibo says it’s 11 inches tall, 2.9 inches in diameter, and weighs 320 grams.
Utilizing the tiibo Insulated Water Bottle
Reviewing a product so simple as a bottle is, truthfully, nearly tougher than full bikes or elements which are way more complicated. There simply isn’t all that a lot to say about one thing that does precisely what it claims to do. However, I’ll do my finest to say greater than — it really works.
The tiibo bottle is simple to fill. With the lid eliminated, the opening is kind of giant, and you may stuff this factor to the highest with ice cubes and high it off with water shortly and simply. Simply thread the lid again on and also you’re good to go — simply don’t crank it as tight as attainable (extra on that beneath). In my expertise, the lid doesn’t leak, nor does the nozzle, assuming it’s closed. With the nozzle open, the air-vent design permits for water to move freely, and the move is satisfactorily quick. You may’t squeeze the bottle, clearly, so that you simply tip it again and let it move. It really works effectively and is tremendous simple to drink from.
The tiibo bottles are designed for biking and have a form meant to work with most traditional bottle cages. I exploit Specialised Z cages nearly solely, and I used to be completely satisfied to find that it match completely in all the cages on my bikes. I’ve additionally bought one random Lezyne Circulation Cage SL, and it additionally settles properly into that one, too. In all of these cages, it has been very secure and safe, doesn’t rattle, and hasn’t ejected unexpectedly but.
The model claims that the bottles will maintain drinks ice chilly for 12+ hours. That actually sounds spectacular and is on par with Bivo’s claimed 12+ hour ice retention. It’s good to know that they’re designed to maintain water chilly for that lengthy, however realistically, I don’t suppose I’d actually ever must maintain my water ice chilly for greater than 4 hours or so.
To check this, I stuffed my bottle with ice, topped it off with water, then left it in my truck on a scorching day. I reside within the excessive desert in northern Nevada, and I’ve a black pickup truck. It will get actually scorching in there. Three hours within the truck, and the bottle was nonetheless holding ice, and the water was icy chilly. Three hours later, and I used to be nonetheless sipping ice-cold water with chunks of ice nonetheless within the bottle. That’s greater than ok for me, and for many different folks, I think.
I’ve to imagine that this bottle may additionally do the identical for heat drinks. The model strongly warns towards utilizing the nozzle with HOT liquids, as I’m certain that’s a lawsuit ready to occur, however I may positively see it holding your water heat on frigid winter rides.
The bottle itself is tremendous simple to scrub, however I used to be initially a bit of cautious that the lid/nozzle/air vent system could be tougher. Seems, it’s fairly simple, because the air vent tube simply pops off, and the nozzle will also be faraway from the plastic lid. Must you ever injury or lose your lid, the model sells replacements for $12.95.
What’s To not Like?
After my first use of the bottle, I found its solely actual quirk. I actually cranked down on the lid to get it tight and ensure it didn’t leak. Once I went to take away the lid, it was not solely a bit cussed to unscrew, however the skinny fringe of the lid doesn’t provide the most important space to grip when making an attempt to loosen it. I’ve since discovered that you simply don’t must get the lid as tight as attainable. It nonetheless doesn’t leak, and it has been a lot simpler to take away.
My solely different complaints aren’t distinctive to the tiibo — they’re shared by any insulated stainless-steel bottle — however they’re notable nonetheless. First, the double-walled insulated design reduces water storage quantity, so the bottles carry much less water than their measurement could recommend. This bottle is noticeably bigger than a 22-ounce plastic bottle, and it holds 5 ounces much less water. The tradeoff is that it additionally retains your water chilly, in order that’s the value it’s a must to pay. My major concern is that the elevated measurement of the bottles could restrict fitment on some bikes. Most street, gravel, and touring bikes can be superb, but it surely might be harder to suit on some full suspension mountain bike frames.
Second, at 250 grams, this bottle is form of heavy. Actually, its over thrice the burden of a 22-ounce plastic bottle and greater than double that of a plastic insulated bottle. Once more, that’s not distinctive to the Tiibo; that’s simply what stainless-steel insulated bottles weigh. Weight-conscious riders will clearly wish to look elsewhere, and it’s actually not my advice for race day — except chilly water is extra vital than weight financial savings.
Value
Chrome steel insulated bottles are pricier than these made from plastic — that’s to be anticipated. Nonetheless, the tiibo bottles are priced competitively towards comparable choices from Bivo and Camelbak. At $35 for the 17-ounce measurement, tiibo undercuts the value of Bivo’s 17-ounce insulated bottle by $9 and Camelbak’s Podium Metal 18-ounce by $4 (in most colour choices). I haven’t used both of these bottles, so I can’t say in the event that they’re value a bit extra, however the tiibo strikes me as a stable worth, regardless.
And whereas the tiibo and comparable stainless-steel bottles could value greater than plastic choices, they need to even be way more sturdy. In principle, they need to final for years, and in doing so, prevent cash over time and scale back plastic waste.
tiibo Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle: My Takeaway
Till not too long ago, I principally simply accepted the truth that my water could be heat or scorching by the point I drank it. I didn’t actually suppose that holding my water ice chilly for hours on a scorching bike trip was actually attainable, and, due to this fact, I didn’t actually care. Given my overabundance of water bottles and different hydration techniques, I’ve additionally been very reluctant to buy any bottles to attempt them out (does anybody want plastic water bottles? I’m giving them away…).
However right here I’m, writing in all probability 2,000 phrases about a stainless-steel insulated water bottle. This factor works, and it really works effectively. It seems nice, matches my bottle cages, is simple to drink from, and retains my water chilly for longer than I really need. Certain, it’s comparatively heavy, however except I’m racing, that doesn’t actually matter. I respect that it’s extra sustainable and extra sturdy than plastic, and it’s a bit extra reasonably priced than its direct opponents, too.
Presently, tiibo solely sells its bottles on to the patron via its web site. You may be taught extra on the hyperlink beneath.
tiibo.com
