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I couldn’t resist the hype about aero bottles, so I decided to order the Ahyka aero bottles from AliExpress. The set, which also includes bottle cages, costs about $40, roughly half the price of similar bottles from Trek. Trek was the first to promote this type of bottle on their Trek Madone Gen 8.
My first impression was positive. Both the bottles and cages look well-made and sturdy. The finish feels solid, and the overall design has a premium feel despite the lower price. The package also included a cleaning tool, a small but thoughtful addition. I washed them with dish soap to remove the typical plastic smell.
However, the design does have some practical drawbacks. Because of their aerodynamic shape, the bottles can’t stand upright on a table, making pouring energy drinks or mixing powders messy. You have to hold the bottle with one hand, which isn’t very practical. The opening is also quite narrow, so filling or cleaning the bottles isn’t as easy as it is with standard ones.
Another minor issue is the nozzle. It doesn’t let much water through at a time, unlike the Elite Fly bottles, which allow a stronger flow. I also suspect it’ll take some practice to put the bottles back into the cage while riding, because they can only be inserted at a specific angle, unlike rounded bottles.
Based on the Evolve Cima aero tests, aero bottles can save around 4W compared to standard ones. That’s a solid saving for the price.
Another important consideration is health-related safety. The bottles are not advertised as BPA-free. They are said to be PP5 certified, which means they meet “Food-Grade” standards. I’m not qualified to evaluate this, but I think it’s important to mention.
Interestingly, the bottle cages are designed to fit standard rounded bottles. They fit my Tacx Shiva 500ml firmly. Ahyka bottles don’t rattle, unlike the Trek ones, which are often criticized for this. So, that’s good news.
Lastly, and this is just me being picky, I think the bottles have too many threads on the cap, which requires many turns and makes cleaning a bit less convenient.
Ahyka bottles pros
- Affordable (about half the price of Trek’s aero bottles)
- Well-made and sturdy construction
- Attractive design
- Include a cleaning tool in the package
- Cages fit standard round bottles like the Tacx Shiva 500ml
- No rattling in the cage (unlike Trek bottles)
- Potential aerodynamic gain of around 4 watts based on tests
Ahyka bottles cons
- Can’t stand upright on a table, making pouring or mixing difficult
- Narrow opening makes filling and cleaning tricky
- Nozzle restricts water flow compared to the Elite Fly bottles
- Tricky to insert back into the cage while riding
- Not advertised as BPA-free (only PP5 food-grade certified)
- Too many threads requiring many turns of the cap
Overall, the Ahyka bottles are a solid budget-friendly option for riders looking to upgrade their bike’s aerodynamics without spending too much. Just be prepared to compromise a bit on convenience and practicality for the sake of sleek looks and better airflow.
Also available at AliExpress Europe
