The Lezyne Matrix Team Cage does everything you’d want from a bottle cage: it holds a bottle securely, it’s light, and it looks pretty good too. It also comes in 10 colours, so matching it to your bike shouldn’t be too hard. It’s not the cheapest – there’s no shortage of plastic cages around that do the job – but if you want something that feels a step up without splashing out on carbon, this could be just the job.
Made with Lezyne’s Composite Matrix material, it feels stiffer and more solid than most basic plastic designs, but is still light at 36g. It’s not as light as a carbon alternative – it’s around 13g heavier than Lezyne’s own carbon version – but it’s significantly cheaper.
Mounting is simple, with two slots that give you about 10mm of movement – useful if you’re working around frame bags or other accessories. There are no bolts in the pack, but you’ve probably got some on your bike already, and if not they are easy to get hold of at a bike shop or hardware store.
Bottles can be slipped in from either side at an angle without drama, which bodes well for anyone with a small frame or if you’re using a frame bag that fits under the top tube, and bottle retention is excellent; it keeps them nice and snug but not too tight. Lezyne’s own bottles and those I tried from Tacx and Elite all fit well, and even 750ml bottles stayed put on rough gravel around my local Peak District trails.
After a solid month of use, the cage still looks fresh. The matt inner finish grips bottles well and shrugs off scratches, while the outer gloss highlights keep the looks smart.
The tan section on this test cage gives a splash of colour, and if you’re not so keen there are another nine to choose from. Lezyne lists them as Black, White, Blue, Green, Red, Purple, Dark Gray, Matte Tan, Matte Army Green, and Neo Metallic.
Value & conclusion
The only thing going against it, really, is that it’s a bit pricey compared with others that work well, such as the Elite Custom Race X at £14.99, which weighs 30g, or the Tacx Deva, which we reviewed back in 2015; it was slightly heavier at 38g but is still £12.99. Both of those come in a wide range of colours, too.
Overall, it’s a solid-feeling option that’s well made and does a great job of holding onto your bottles, especially useful if you’re riding rougher gravel and mountain bike trails, but it’s hard to justify the extra cost over other very good options.
> Cycling hydration: Is one water bottle or two best on long rides?
Verdict
Tough, stylish cage with brilliant bottle security and a subtle splash of colour, but there are cheaper options
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Lezyne Matrix Team Bottle Cage
Size tested: One Size
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it?
Lezyne says: “Crafted from an extremely durable Composite Matrix material, the Matrix Team Cage is engineered and tested to securely hold bicycle water bottles while offering both left and right side-loading action. Weighing in at just 36 grams, its minimalist one-piece design keeps weight low while maintaining optimal bottle retention. Compatible with all bicycle frames with standard bottle cage mounts, it performs flawlessly across all forms of riding, from gravel riding to mountain biking to road racing.
“Available in ten color options: Black, White, Blue, Green, Red, Purple, Dark Gray, Matte Tan, Matte Army Green, and Neo Metallic.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product
Lezyne lists:
SPECS:
Weight:
34.4g
Dimensions:
150mm, 81.3mm, 86mm
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It held onto my bottles well, whatever the terrain.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I didn’t lose any liquids.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
It’s expensive compared with others.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s more expensive than alternatives from the likes of Elite and Tacx, though still less than carbon options such as the £28.99 Elite Vico.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No
Would you recommend the product to a friend? I’d probably suggest cheaper options.
Use this box to explain your overall score
It works well, but it’s not the best value in a crowded market.
About the tester
Age: 41 Height: 175cm Weight: 79kg
I usually ride: cervelo aspero My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, gravel
