At first glance, the SEAM carbon bottle cage is a stylish-looking and well-finished piece of kit that would look in keeping with many a top end carbon frame. The carbon weave construction shows through the lacquer coating and the neat SEAM carbon logo looks understated and classy.
At just 29 grams this is a lightweight cage compared with most; although, for the weight-obsessed, it is possible to go just a few grams lower. Blackburn's camber carbon cage, for example, comes in at around 27g, but at double the price of the SEAM. However, considering a few hundred grams of water will be sitting in it most of the time, this is a negligible difference.
On the bike the cage does just what all bottle cages should do, but not all actually achieve; I.e. it holds a full bottle on the frame without ejecting your chosen hydration onto the tarmac every time you go over a bump. The neat design meant that it was easy to get bottles both in and out, and it coped perfectly well with a variety of different sizes and shapes of bottle. After a decent period of daily use, the gripping arms of the cage appeared to have maintained their strength, and the bottles remained as securely held as they had been initially.
For the very reasonable price of £20.00 the SEAM cage represents comparatively good value for money, especially when considering some similar products can set you back up to twice as much. It may not quite have the prestige of a more established manufacturer's name on the side, but both the weight and performance are right up there with the most expensive.
Verdict
A no-nonsense carbon cage, which will keep the weight down without emptying your wallet.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Seam Carbon bottle cage
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
This is a lightweight carbon bottle cage that would look good on high-end bikes.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Weight 31 grams. Carbon construction.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Around 10 grams lighter than most aluminium cages.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Easy to use and held a variety of water bottles securely throughout the test period.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Stylish and light, for a very reasonable price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 36 Height: 1.78m Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: Surly Long Haul Trucker My best bike is: Cannondale Slice
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, Triathlon
is it such a dog-eat-dog world that has infected the world of "The Rider"? There is purity in the suffering on two-wheels; but not with this guy ...
Seems like a case for additional safety measures e.g. at least some feedback if you try to cross into a lane with oncoming vehicles. Although...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.
I wasnt sure if the picture of the of the tunnel was a picture of a local canal somewhere or not......
The legal position has been pretty much settled since DDA in 1995 - reasonable adjustments. Though LTN 1/20 and Inclusive Mobility helpd determine...
This was in my local park and dogs are allowed off-lead. Cyclists are required to ride slowly and give due care and attention as it happens.
Something worth pointing out that's not mentioned in the article is with the Di2 buttons - the functions are not restricted to single presses, each...
My Cyclic Fly6 3 Gen is now 2 years old and the battery has continued its decline, it lasts just over 1 and a half hours, no light, no audio etc.,...
I've since learned that universal, inflatable roof racks are a thing and apparently work well. Going to try that next time, just getting a standard...
I thought it was everyone else that are the snowflakes, they certainly don't waste any time in being offended by everything and anything then wang...