Arundel Review

The Arundel Bicycle Company is a Forth Worth, Texas based firm who make cycle accessories. They were founded in 2000 after the owners went to the Milan bike show and thought they could do better. Their first product, a carbon fiber bottle cage was developed on the plane ride home, and later manufactured in a friends carbon plant. The company lost money on each one because they made them by hand, and it was only when they were introduced to a manufacturer in China that their first product became economically viable.Their product range now includes bottle cages, seat bags, bar tape and workshop tools. Their first model, the Dave-O is still there, refined and updated, but still largely in its original form.Rather than reinventing the wheel, Arundel have taken an existing design and applied their riding and engineering know-how to it. The results are considered, clever designs that aim to make life easier for riders. For example, their Chrono bottle cage is specifically shaped to take into account the mechanics or removing and replacing the bottle during a cycle race. Everything in the design is designed to make that process as quick and effortless as possible so the rider can concentrate on the race.This kind of thought has generated a lot of positive buzz about Arundel, with riders liking the smooth motion, lack of protrusions and sharp edges. The Arundel Mandible recently scored 5 stars in a Bike Radar review, which is an achievement in itself. The mere fact that riders willingly pay $65 for a bottle cage is testament to the high regard in which they are held.

Models

• Bottle Cages: Mandible, Dave-O, Trident, Sideloader, Other Sideloader, Chrono, Stainless, Sport
• Seat Bags: Dual, Tubi
• Bar Tape: Gecko Grip, Cork

Pricing

Arundel’s first product the Dave-O bottle cage still sells well. For those riders for whom weight it everything, a Dave-O will cost around $50. The newer Mandible bottle cage retails for $64.95. The Sideloader Carbon bottle cage costs around $42, Cork bar tape $6.99 and saddle bags between $10 and $14.