The best MTB bottle cages are often the first essential accessory added to a new bike and a staple for any bike owner. It can ensure you’re suitably hydrated on a ride and, unlike a back-hauling hydration reservoir, it is barely noticeable on the bike's frame. Usually, the only changeable factor is the design, material and colour but this Topeak Ninja Master+ Bottle Cage has a quirky sideshow for even great convenience. But is it too over-engineered to provide a simple solution to carrying spare equipment?
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Topeak Ninja Master+ Cage SK - Technical details
Topeak Ninja Master+ Cage SK+ and the Free StrapPack are constructed using an engineering-grade polymer, and the strap for the extra optional accessory is made from Nylon. The cage has a left side opening with bolts that screw into the frame. There is the option to add the strap mount onto any fixing points that your frame features.
The strap pack can hold an inner tube, a mini tool or CO2 cartridges. Items carried using this are held in place with the strap fastened with Velcro. Both the cage and the Free Strappack will set you back a respective £10. The weight of the bottle cage is 48g, and the strap pack is 22g. On our scales, the cage came in at 53g and the strap pack was 25g.
Topeak Ninja Master+ Cage SK - Performance
The bottle cage is simple and quick to fit. Like any standard cage, there are two bolts to fit into the frame. The other parts make up the strap-pack accessory. Once the small parts were assembled with a bolt and a spring, it was easy enough to attach to the bottle cage. You can of course choose not to use the extra strap but it's a good option for carrying spares.
The strap pack easily holds a 700c inner tub and some tyre levers. Once the inner tube was in position, I found it protruded too much from the strap and only a part of the tube was secured fully. The tube did move around more than expected, especially over rough terrain. The strap needed to be pulled in tight to ensure everything inside would stay put. A positive with this strap arrangement is that the inner tube doesn’t interfere with anything else and there is no danger of catching it with your legs while pedalling. The downside is that it restricts using just the one bottle cage as it takes up a lot of frame real estate.
I was able to grab the bottle smoothly enough by pulling it upwards from the top like a normal cage but needed more force and vigour to push it back in.
Topeak Ninja Master+ Cage SK - Verdict
I think a side-loaded cage suits me as I ride a smaller frame. I sometimes don’t have enough space to grab my bottle from the top, so a side loader is my usual choice. But I would want it to operate smoothly and fast without putting too much energy into getting a drink in and out of the cage.
Compared to the Bontrager Left Side Load Recycled Water Bottle Cage priced at £17 that I use regularly, I found the Ninja Master required more effort to push a bottle in and out quickly. That said, it does represent good value for money considering what you get. I like that a cage offers the option of carrying spares along for the ride, which is a good alternative to strapping tubes onto your frame with an enduro-style strap - although the strap on this cage can’t hold much save for an inner tube.
Price-wise, this is spot on for value and convenience - you have nothing to lose by trying the Topeak Ninja Master+. It doesn’t interfere with the riding experience and with it being so lightweight you don’t even notice it on the frame.
