In this article I will review the Schmolke TLO lightweight carbon bottle cage for the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 Di2. While I’m very please with the Tune Wassertrager 2.0 water bottle cages, I wanted something else and the weightweenie in me started some research.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key features Schmolke TLO lightweight carbon bottle cage
On the product page of Schmolke online shop one can read the following description about the TLO bottle cage:
Schmolke Bottle Cage “TLO”. “The Lightest One” – 10 grams of 100% carbon. Fits standard 500 ml and 750 ml bottles.
- Ultralight carbon bottle cage in a minimalist design – just 10g
- Matt black UD carbon finish with black or white SCHMOLKE branding
- Suitable for bottles with 0.5 liters and 0.75 liters
- Including carbon an aluminum mounting screws
Fastening the bottle cage with a maximum torque of 1 Nm
On my kitchen scales I measure a weight of 10 grams for the Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage. This is a tiny bit lighter than the Tune Wasserträger 2.0 carbon bottle cage. The overall shape and lines from both German carbon brands are different. I’ve opted for the version with a black Schmolke branding, which fits the metallic black finish of the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2.
The carbon mounting bolts are extremely cool, you see the carbon structure in the head of the bolts. On the kitchen scales the carbon mounting bolts show a weight of 0 grams (my scales are not accurate enough). The default bottle cage mounting bolts are Prototipo Works Ultra Low Bidon Cage Bolt and for this build I’ve had the stealth black versions of the Prototipo Works bolts. Low Bidon Cage bolts, nicely fit into the base of the Schmolke TLO bottle cage, which gives it a cool top view.
The Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage keeps the Camelbak Podium water bottels safe and sound. Additional testing with other water bottles: Elite Loli, Elite Jet Water Bottle, Assos Water Bottle, Specialized Little Big Mouth 2nd Gen Water Bottle all fit well. My preferred Elite Fly Team Water Bottles, Tacx Shiva and the Tacx Daiya O2 water bottle 550ml seem to have a slightly wider diameter so these will not fit without applying force.
Installation Schmolke TLO bottle cage
Installation of the Schmolke TLO Carbon Bottle Cage is extremely easy, and contains just a couple of steps.
- Put some Weldtite TF2 Lithium Grease on the Prototipo Works Ultra Low Bidon Cage Bolt
- Place the Schmolke TLO Carbon Bottle Cage on the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX frame and handtighten the bolts (simply with a bit)
- Use the Stahlwille TorsioMax 775 Torque screwdriver to Fasten the Schmolke TLO Carbon bottle cage with a maximum torque of 1 Nm. The Wera 7515 Kraftform Safe-Torque Speed Torque Screwdriver 2-6 Nm and Stahlwille Manoskop 730N/2 Mechanical Torque Wrench 2-20 Nm start at 2 Nm.
The torque specification on the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX frame for the bottle cage bolts is 2 Nm (in a small font type visible on the frame.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage is € 70,00 which € 15,00 more expensive than the Tune Wassertrager carbon bottle cage. The Lightweight Edelhelfer has a price point of € 92,00. It is a reasonable price point for a high quality and one of the lightest carbon bottle cages available.
The carbon mounting bolts are extremely cool. But I’m opting for the trusted, tested and safe Prototipo Works Ultra Low Bidon Cage Bolt.
The Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage keeps the Camelbak Podium water bottels safe and sound. My preferred Elite Fly Team Water Bottles seem to have a slightly wider diameter so these will not fit without force. Inserting and removing the Camelbak Podium water bottles works flawlessly and is on par with the Tune Wassertrager 2.0.
- Are you using any Schmolke products ? If so which ones ?
- What do you think of the Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage ?
Interested in any other product reviews please check out the categories below:
About Schmolke Carbon
There are only a few lightweight construction specialists in Germany who are among the carbon pioneers. Schmolke Carbon is definitely one of them. Stefan Schmolke, the founder of Schmolke Carbon, successfully debuted the first carbon handlebar in the early 90’s. Because of his passion, and unique engineering feats to build the lightest carbon parts, he is viewed as one of the most competent lightweight carbon construction gurus in the bike industry.
33 years of Schmolke Carbon, and please read the company history and the different innovations through in these years.
A comprehensive list with water bottle- and water bottle cage reviews can be found here: