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review

Race One One Touch Bottle

7
£7.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Great concept but spoilt by fiddly cover and lack of spares
Weight: 
109g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Race One One Touch bottle is essentially the classic cycling bottle but with a specialist valve cap, which theoretically takes the struggle from mid-ride slurping. However, despite decent quality materials and thoughtful details there's room for improvement.

Available in standard 750ml or compact 600ml versions, it's made from medical grade low density polyethylene (LDPE). This a long standing favourite not known to taint ones choice tipple, or leach potentially nasty chemical stuff inside our bodies.

The shape and semi matt texture mean excellent compatibility with standard cages, jersey and rack bag pockets. Even some notoriously springy titanium cages haven't caused mortar-esque mischief across poorly surfaced roads or bridle path. Gunslinger quick draws are matched by secure grip in all conditions and glove types.

Talking of which, the protective cover prevents that stomach churning mix of bovine dung, spent diesel and wet gritty stuff contaminating the spout. Unfortunately, the lip proved a little tricky to operate in gloved hand, especially mid ride.

So what's special about this cap then? Well it's a simple screw top design made from polyamide with a clever sprung-spout and deep indentations for improved purchase.

Press once to pop open; again to close. It's a very light action, which took a few rides' practice before becoming truly instinctive. Getting a controllable flow requires depressing said valve halfway with your tongue, just like using a hydration pack valve.

This encourages more frequent sipping and remains consistent. There's no need to squeeze frantically as it empties, although the bottle's malleable enough and will fire a stream of fluid if required.

Prod shut when you're finished and we're talking drum tight; no leaks even when held upside down and shaken vigorously. That means there's no danger of sticky energy drinks pooling in pockets or residual spatter along the down-tube.

Beverages of all types taste refreshingly authentic too, although lightly carbonated varieties caused unwelcome air lock, cured by unscrewing the cap slightly, releasing pressure and snugging tight again.

Talking of strip downs, it disassembles for meticulous cleaning. Race One recommend water as hot as 40 degrees, although marinating in Milton was my preferred post ride option.

Ultimately, I'm fairly impressed but disappointed at the lack of spares. Losing that little spring means buying a new bottle. Eight quid isn't outlandish but the ability to purchase a replacement top would make it a lot more appealing.

Verdict

Great concept but spoilt by fiddly cover and lack of spares

road.cc test report

Make and model: Race One One Touch Bottle

Size tested: 600ml

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Drinking today was never been so easy.

You open the top bottom with one hand: one click to open, one click to close. Thanks to the RACEONE patented system for the water releasing. The design was studied to optimize the grip. Available for 600 ml and for 750 ml capacity. RACEONE, innovative Italian company, proposes a new bottle with a drinking system including a patented opening and closure system called 'ONE TOUCH', made in Italy. This patented system allows you to drink by using only one hand, only the click of one finger, even in the worst conditions. When the button is in the position 'closed' the system guarantees at 100% any water loss". Broadly agree, although the protective cover was fiddly to release in gloved hand.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

ONETOUCH OPENING SYSTEM

'Open/Closed' opening system. Quick, easy, safe and can be completely disassembled. You can open and close the cap with a simple click! Raceone® with ONETOUCH, revolutionizes the bottle standard! Now the opening is simple and facilitated.

Made of PP Random, against mud and dirt, suitable for use in extreme conditions, keeping the drinking area clean.

Bottle made from LDPE and available in 600 or 750ml capacity.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

High quality materials and generally clever design.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Lack of spares backup is slightly disappointing but with basic care, there's no reason it shouldn't last a good while.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Materials and texture ensure precision fit and excellent grip in all weathers.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Eight pounds certainly isn't outlandish and on par with some premium brands. However, its still twice that of two bog standard 750ml trade types.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall, it has met the design brief extremely well and a genuine improvement over standard bottles. However, it does take a few practice runs before becoming totally intuitive and a more pronounced lip would make opening the protective cover in full-finger gloves much easier.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good quality materials ensure beverages taste authentic and spout system is really convenient.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Minor irritations rather than dislike but the ability to buy replacement parts in the event of loss/damage is a missed opportunity.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, with those minor reservations.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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