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I got the Evolve Kreuza Slice aero bottles as part of my Evolve Cima review, where Evolve designed them specifically to improve the aerodynamics of that frame. Yes, that’s correct. They were designed with the Cima in mind. The question is whether they hold up as a product, especially when compared to the Ahyka aero bottles from AliExpress, which I’ve also tested.
Unboxing and First Impressions
My first impressions were solid. The build quality felt better than that of Ahyka bottles. But the Kreuza Slice comes without the cleaning tool that Ahyka includes. I don’t need more tools since I already have two, but given the narrow opening on aero bottles, a cleaning brush isn’t optional. You’ll need to source one separately.
Like the Ahyka bottles, the aerodynamic shape means the Kreuza Slice can’t stand upright on a table. That makes mixing powders or pouring energy drinks awkward. You have to hold the bottle with one hand the whole time. The opening is also narrow, so filling and cleaning take a bit more effort than with a standard round bottle.
Kreuza vs. Ahyka Aero Bottles
Where the Kreuza Slice improves on the Ahyka is the cap thread. The Ahyka cap requires many turns to fully open or close, which gets old fast when refilling. The Kreuza Slice uses fewer turns, and the difference is noticeable. The nozzle is also much better. It’s very close to the Elite Fly in terms of flow, shape, and ease of maintenance. It closes properly, and it’s easy to clean. That was one of my main complaints about the Ahyka bottles. Those nozzles are only silicone rubber, so they can splash water on rough terrain. This can be a problem if you mix an iso drink or sugar water, as it can dirty your frame.
The Kreuza Slice bottles sit securely and don’t rattle, which matches the Ahyka experience. But they actually pull out more easily than the Ahyka bottles do. Surprisingly, I have never felt like the bottles could jump out since they feature a clever lock, which is similar to the Ahyka one.
Based on the Evolve Cima aero tests, aero bottles can save around 4W compared to standard ones. That’s a solid saving, and it’s the reason Evolve developed the Kreuza Slice for the Cima in the first place.
The Kreuza Slice bottles are made from food-grade polypropylene and weigh 84g each, making them light enough for racing without sacrificing durability. They hold 620ml of liquid, which is 20ml more than Ahyka bottles. The cages use carbon-reinforced nylon and weigh just 32g each, keeping the complete setup ultralight. Both bottles and cages are 100% BPA-free and fully UCI-compliant, so they’re approved for competition at any level. The included cages also fit standard rounded bottles. My Tacx Shiva 500ml fits firmly with no rattling, same as with the Ahyka cages.
Kreuza Slice pros
- 100% BPA-free and UCI-compliant
- Bottles weigh 84g each with 620ml capacity (20ml more than Ahyka)
- Designed specifically for the Evolve Cima for a genuine aero purpose (roughly 4W savings at 28mph [45 km/h])
- Cap thread requires fewer turns than Ahyka bottles
- Nozzle flow and closure comparable to Elite Fly bottles
- Bottles sit securely in cage with no rattling
- Cages also fit standard round bottles like the Tacx Shiva or Elite Fly
Kreuza Slice cons
- No cleaning tool included (Ahyka provides one)
- Can’t stand upright on a table, making pouring or mixing awkward
- Narrow opening makes filling and cleaning tricky
- Significantly more expensive than Ahyka
Overall, the Kreuza Slice improves on the Ahyka in the areas that matter most day-to-day: the nozzle and the cap thread. The missing cleaning tool is a small but real omission. Whether the upgrade over Ahyka justifies the cost depends on whether you’re riding an Evolve Cima or just want aero bottles for any frame.
Also available at AliExpress Europe
If you’re riding an Evolve Cima and want bottles built for that frame, the Kreuza Slice makes sense. For everyone else, the Ahyka bottles are still a solid option.
Pricing
The Ahyka setup costs approximately $40 USD for two bottles and two cages combined. The Kreuza Slice bottles and cages are priced at $19.90 each, which means a complete two-bottle setup costs around $79.60. That’s double the Ahyka price. For the improvement in nozzle quality and cap thread convenience, you’re paying nearly $40 more per setup. On a Cima, where they’re specifically engineered for that frame, the justification is clearer. On any other bike, the gap narrows considerably.
My Verdict
The Kreuza Slice improves on the Ahyka in several practical areas: the nozzle, the cap thread, and the 620ml capacity versus Ahyka’s 600ml. For racers, the UCI compliance is a real advantage, eliminating any concerns about legality in competition. The carbon-reinforced nylon cages at 32g keep weight down without sacrificing strength. The missing cleaning tool is still an unnecessary omission at this price. If you’re on an Evolve Cima or racing competitively and need UCI approval, these bottles make solid sense. For casual riding or non-competitive use, the Ahyka at roughly half the price is still worth considering first. The improvements are real, but they’re incremental rather than revolutionary.
Also available at AliExpress Europe
