I have been trying to find a really spill-proof coffee mug for use in my relatively new bar-mount coffee holder. The problem I've had with my regular coffee mug, is that even if you don't really drink from it en-route, a few drops can leak through the seal, and then they fly up onto your clothing when you hit a bump. Blech!
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My home"brew" solution, which works, but is not exactly elegant. |
I had high hopes for this bottle from Thermos, because it has a lid that completely covers the drinking hole. Unfortunately it's too narrow for the bike holder, and slips through the ring! I tried another Thermos brand mug, and it leaked the first time I hit a bump, and I had to dig the plastic bag I keep under my saddle as a rain cover out to keep it from splattering on me the whole ride.
I finally managed to find the OXO good grips that Portland Design Works (the company that made the holder) recommends for use in the "bar-ista". My search was complicated by the fact that Target, where I had been looking has some insulated liquid carrying devices in the sports area (think "hydration") some in the automotive section, and still others in the kitchenware area. So far so good on the maiden voyage- no leaks and no spills and it fits snugly in the holder. I probably wouldn't go to all this trouble, except for I'm trying to reduce my caffeine intake, and the office only has caffeinated coffee. It will be also nice if I ever make a stop at the new Dwell Time coffee shop on my way in (just a short detour) to get a treat like a latte'.
Do you ride with a cup of coffee onboard? Is it part of your daily routine? What's your system for portage?
Not a coffee person but I have really been thinking about a cup holder for the wonderful smoothies from Life Alive. Its a pain to hold them and try to bike back to work, or I try to stuff the cup upright in my bag but that rarely works. I will have to measure my next cup I get to see if it might fit in this holder...
ReplyDeleteStarbucks thermoses aren't usually great, but I have a Starbucks twist-cap double-walled thermos that is outstanding. It doesn't fit in a standard cup holder - at least my giant one doesn't - but I can literally turn it upside down and shake it and it doesn't leak a drop. Perfect for throwing - literally, throwing - in my bike basket or backpack. The double walls also provide great insulation, so even on cold days it's steaming hot after my two-mile ride to work. It's kind of magical.
ReplyDeleteI can't find it on the site now, so I'm guessing they don't sell one like it this season ... maybe once winter comes again.
I'm a tea drinker, and the mug that came with my cup holder does leak a little bit, but it doesn't seem to splash me - and we have us some major bumps here, what with the streetcar tracks, the pot holes, mole men making the occasional appearance.
ReplyDeleteI do better, of course, when I remember to slide the latch to closed!
I should say, rather, it leaks through the drinking hole, not the seal.
DeleteI LOVE my Oxo mug! It's slightly smaller than I want it to be, but it seals tightly, and keeps my coffee hot.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious - is that a stainless steel one? That green is exactly the color I wanted while I was looking, but I was only able to find steel ones in their natural stainless color, and plastic ones in fun colors. And, if it is in fact green and steel at the same time, which Target did you get it at?
It's green, and I'd say it's anodized, but I don't really think that's the right term for stainless steel. It's metal, not plastic on the outside. I would have actually preferred plain "stainless" but they didn't have one- I got this at the Target in Somerville.
DeleteI have one of these mugs and they are so awesome. They never spill. They are like a thermos, but you can also drink from them one-handed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.target.com/p/Contigo-West-Loop-Mug-Silver/-/A-11158650?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11158650&CPNG=kitchen&ci_sku=11158650&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=
I considered those, but I was a little worried that it would be too narrow for the "bar-ista" and wasn't 100% sold on the closing mechanism.
DeleteI'd recommend giving it a go. I'm finally happy with this mug after going through several more expensive options that claimed they were spill proof. This system requires that you compress the button continuously while drinking (unlike the Thermos ones where it's difficult to tell if they are open or closed) so there's zero confusion about the state of the seal.
DeleteIt's also wider than it looks on the interwebz. It doesn't fit in a bottle cage but would likely fit in your handlebar holder.
In part due to your earlier suggestion and also because I like PDW designs, I am using a PDW barista as well, currently with a generic and leaky insulated steel mug. Waiting to see how you do with the OXO a few more weeks before I click the BUY button though. (as for your reduced caffeine, that is pretty drastic :) )
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know how both the OXO and the reduced caffeine work for me :)
Deletecurrently I'm drinking half caf, on my way down to decaf.
Try KeepCup http://www.keepcup.com best cup ever! I use a Portland Design Works Bar Ista as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't ride with coffee, but I find it hard to live without! My boss raves about these, his fiancée is somewhat accident prone so they call these the "adult sippy cups". She has dropped one on the floor without spilling a drop, because the sip portion only opens when you squeeze the cup:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Stainless-Travel-Insulated/dp/B001RMGVU8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288270342&sr=8-2
I never ride with coffee. Instead, I stop and use the time to post comments - like this one. BTW, have you studied bicyclecoffeesystems.com ?
ReplyDeleteI love the Biologic Vacuum Flask. I read about it on Momentum Magazine and it's $5 off via Bike Hugger.
ReplyDeleteI do ride with coffee and I love my Kleen Kanteen insulated SS container. Fits perfectly in the water bottle mounts on the down tube. There are two caps for it, one as a standard drinking system that slides closed but is not completely spill proof (though still fine while riding if not full to the brim) and another that is spillproof. I usually carry both caps. Coffee stays hot or iced for hours on end.
ReplyDeleteI carry an insulated Heine Brothers (Louisville, KY coffee house and roaster) coffee thermos. I love their coffee and Louisville so my thermos choice is sentimental. It does leak into the top a bit so I fill the thermos 3/4 of the way full to minimize this problem. Then I make sure the thermos is standing upright in my bike basket, tucking it snugly between my purse, lunch and newspaper on my ride in to the office. Seems to work nicely.
ReplyDelete