More Interesting Than You Think: How A Cycling Water Bottle Is Made

There's more to the simple water bottle than you might think and kindly Elite talked us through their manufacturing process, including how they make the lightweight cycling bottles that they're famous for.
In association with Elite.
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[@gcntech]

What photo would you get on a bottle?

[@panzerveps]

A picture of my water bottle, obviously. By the way, even though the plastic is biodegradable, it won't happen out in the wild by itself. Don't dump your bottles to save weight.

[@rik5384]

It would be the picture of my dad, a friend and me atop the pico del veleta after riding up there, because it's a great memory and an awesome picture

[@werdna1969]

Gerber Baby.

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

The Anglirou group shot.

[@RJ_Taylor]

Jon Cannings, obviously!

[@bassbassbasser]

weight saving tip: drill a hole in the bottom of your bottle - saves you 500-1000 gramms per bottle

[@gcntech]

Very good, why hadn't we thought of that before?!

[@Adthin]

I found that if you put a stick of dynamite in and a lit match it weighs even less

[@davidt.berghold4700]

I would like to see how handlebar tape and gear/brake cables and housings are made.

[@cup_and_cone]

With some exceptions, there's really just one factory in Italy that makes handlebar tape for all the major aftermarket brands. They don't actually mix the rubber foam and extrude it themselves, it is imported on massive spools. The Italian factory will perforate, trim, emboss, brand, texturize, etc, at their factory in Italy.

[@Joshuavoice29]

Gotta love Jon's enthusiasm!

[@edmarkey4057]

It's like he works there...

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

What's happening with these special edition Cannings bottles?!

[@dydanz]

Giveaway, please

[@ingy1965]

Go on Jon - let's have a giveaway! Maybe through World Bicycle Relief or similar?

[@edmarkey4057]

@@ingy1965 GREAT idea. I'm in!

[@murmamirrmohaimen2271]

The corn based plastic really surprised me. Now I'm inclined to get elite bottles. Their ad worked this time.

[@mscbijles1256]

Chemist here. Did Elite really tell you their bottles are made from bio degradeable plastics? If so, that's great. But not all corn based plastics are bio degradeable by definition (many are, but not all - if anyone want an in depth explanation, that's fine, but I guess most of you here wouldn't want it)

[@keycapslapper7080]

I have a genuine question (if it sounds stupid it's because I am): why would you want a biodegradable plastic reusable bottle? Wouldn't you want it to last for as long as you want to use it for, or is it only biodegradable under certain conditions?

[@mscbijles1256]

Keycap Happy Mofo These plastics are indeed usually only biodegradable under specific circumstances. However, the matter of why we shouldn’t use everlasting bottles is an environmental one. You’re not gonna use your bottle forever, so when you dispose of it, it would-be be best if it is degradable or recycleable.

[@domestik834]

even though it is a corn based plastic it is still polyethylene. And Polyethylene isn't biodegredable. The Precursor may be but as soon as you chain the molecules together it is not possible to degrade it by throwing it into the landscape.

[@FamilyBrown88]

yes, the planet really thank you for this!

[@Choedron]

I would like to see producers taking back old used bottles and recycling them 👍😜

[@sluuuuuuug9345]

Here we go again.... gcn tech giving me answers to questions i never had.

[@8paolo96]

I love any kind of How it's made tech video!

[@iGameOvertv]

Me too! I hope they make more of them soon.

[@gcntech]

Cheers, watch this space...

[@donjagoe]

You’re right, interesting! Love to see high-end cycling shoes being made. Thx!

[@mrazzo15]

I was glued watching from start to finish!

[@alanharpdesign]

Love these plant trip/ how-it's-made videos. Plant trips were my favorite part of college when I was taking materials classes. Jon, you've got a whole series to do... just start at one end of the bike and go to the other seeing how each pieces is made.

[@gcntech]

Cheers Alan, fascinating eh?

[@alanharpdesign]

@@gcntech Absolutely! Keep them coming! It's good to see someone getting as geeked out as I do on plant trips.

[@barrymonaghan6593]

Something to print on a bottle:"Drink you dam fool!"And on the handle bar tape to!

[@hjshoon5244]

Highly sophisticated and fascinating!

[@hhansen3551]

I will have a picture of you, Jon. Ringing the BELL

[@mathiasdieste]

I'd love to see how they make modern shaped handlebars (ergo, compact, aero, drilled out...) really curious about it

[@gcntech]

Nice one, stay tuned!

[@oilguy54able]

Very cool! Thanks, Jon.

[@rockroll9473]

I enjoyed this.Thank you.

[@carterhanson5440]

What this video really means..... GCN will now have and be sponsored by Elite Water bottles. Probably are running out of their first giant CamelBak order. Pretty cool video!

[@samuelhopely4853]

Have a bottle sitting in my cupboard from the Specialized 40th Anniversary with the classic Gorbachev ad on it. Some day I ought to get that reprinted!

[@jen3800]

GCN is going to be hugely popular eventually because of the depth and breadth of the topics covered, appealing to a much broader audience, not the elite crowd alone ( to which I belong, in a way ) . Always inspiring me to get out on the bike. toodle-oo !

[@gcntech]

Cheers bud!

[@jesusenriqueriveratellez531]

Fu....ing awesome!!!!

[@lfoster7601]

How do you communicate enthusiasm for something so mundane! Chapeau!

[@lolyeet3443]

idk why when jon said its 100% biodegradable i got so damn happy. now i want some ELITE bottles

[@jt101084]

Yeah, you can bet that most of those bottles will be sat in a landfill site in 40 years time, not biodegrading.

[@lolyeet3443]

@@seahog32 damnn after doing my own research, its kinda sad they take as long as normal plastics to biodegrade . at least they bio degrade like most things instead of just degrade into smaller microplastics like oil based plastics

[@louischan8062]

I have never imagined someone blindly trusts this "we are environmental-friendly" slogan JUST because it says 100% biodegradable.... What is happening with our education..... It's like supporting electricity-powered vehicles without explanation and case studies lol @lol yeet so glad that at least you tried to do research later on

[@CodSlap]

The best chain lube I’ve ever found is made by Green Oil UK, who also made this cheeky little bit on the ’biodegradable’ topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2a7k3dsn7d7pMU Also, the founder’s name is Simon if memory serves. I wonder if Simon could go interview Simon for GCN? :)

[@sheilastallard]

Pic of the wife...the driving force to keep me going all day every day!!!

[@U20101954]

going all day every day...to stay away from home...?

[@sheilasmith8277]

@@U20101954 Spot on !!!

[@janusmananghaya2825]

Wow. Another informative video produce by GCN. Next i want to see how it build is anything about the group set of a bike? Like a RD or FD or the lever itself? Thanks gcn!

[@paulktfdaly6242]

after the weekend I would put on the bottles respect the riders and spectators

[@bhumiriady]

This is super cool and awesome! The process of making cycling water bottles is so fascinating! I like it so much.

[@davidtam1518]

This is awesome! I've always wondered how water bottles were made and I'm happy to hear that elite is so on point with the recycling and using corn based plastics vs petroleum based. I wonder if camelbak does the same.

[@RixterNow]

Very cool

[@rik5384]

It would be the picture of my dad, a friend and me atop the pico del veleta after riding up there, because it's a great memory and an awesome picture

[@petrcivela9413]

Nobody cares.

[@brandhark7935]

I have a few elite fly’s for $10. Love that they’re lightweight and durable.

[@ragzard]

I got a couple Elite bottles they are excellent. Seeing the manufacture process and, specially that they are corn based and biodegradable, I'm sticking to this brand.

[@gcntech]

Nice one Welves!

[@iGameOvertv]

That was very interesting indeed. I use Elite bottles and I love them. Also, my 2 year old loves them more than her own bottles, and so now she drinks from Elite bottles too :)

[@gcntech]

Start 'em young eh?

[@iGameOvertv]

@@gcntech Absolutely!

[@WaechterDerNacht]

Great video! I worked in injection moulding for several years in the factory as a mechanic. And i've got to say: from my perspective their factory looks pretty good. I know how it is when they want to film something or customers come by etc. everything gets cleaned more than usual. With time working in the industry you know where you've got to look at to know if a company does it properly or just like "dang, they come to film tomorrow and it should be clean, usually it's a mess". On a scale from 1 to 10, i would give them probably a 9. If you want, there's always room to improve ;-)

[@skillerpenguin7622]

Flippin neat

[@geoffgovey9093]

Great to see the bottles are bio-degradable. Makes me cringe seeing all those bottles ejected to the roadside on the tours! Great video Jon!

[@domestik834]

you can't imagine how fast fans will collect them after the riders passed.

[@qibble455]

This isn't boring at all! Maybe the next video should go on about shift cables or their housings..Maybe explain old rim brake cables and go on about their housings and how they were made:D Anyway 10/10 GCN [jk]

[@petinka721]

When Jon make double big thumbs up would be nice at a bottle and of course the bottle should be in celeste!

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

I want to see how/who developed million dollar machinery to make $10 water bottles. Very cool and interesting. It would be neat to see how other components are made. Next "How are bottle cages made". Got to keep in order.

[@gcntech]

Haha yes cheers Robert!

[@rr8299]

It’s 2am LA time and I watching a video about water bottles!!! Lol only a cyclists life!

[@alfonsolizarazo9806]

Love my fly bottles, not just because weight, I can remove the top rubber cap and clean the whole cap, allowing a good hygiene practice. Unlike other bottles, Camelback included, that after 6 months is so dirty that smells! I have broken these and other bottle caps when trying to clean them.

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

By the way, the printing process is automated silk screen.

[@judahcostello3919]

Jan Willem Kuilenburg it’s such a cool setup!

[@SimoWill75]

At 7:50 yes, screen printed. But 8:34 is inkjet.

[@straight_edge]

That was actually awesome! Cheers Jon for presenting such a fun video! Fingers crossed some lucky viewers may possibly win one of your limited edition bidons! Do a giveaway!!!

[@gcntech]

Stay tuned...

[@straight_edge]

@@gcntech nice 👌 you GCN boys and girls sure love your viewers and fans! Now here's hoping one makes it way to me all the way across the pond in Sydney....😅🤞🤞

[@tiegejh715]

The most advanced and variously technology to protect and keep comfort for our eyes -- cycling sunglasses，hope GCN will pick this topic for a run😊

[@carterhanson5440]

They've been to Oakley before, look for past videos

[@gcntech]

Have you seen our trip to Oakley HQ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJqskpSDgp2lo9U

[@tiegejh715]

@@gcntech OK seen it👌，Oakley team done a pretty good job behind the history，then how about some bike computer（GARMIN） that can connect with other same brands computer without wifi or bluetooth but it still keep the signal fast and smooth？Or another topic for TT bike aero bars shape，angle and length that can affect rider's comfort，aerodynamic and power input，yeah I think a lot after crashing with my TT bike without fitting well enough，and crashing alone behind the group without anyone noticed me😭

[@richaw6689]

Really interesting.. will there be a Cannings Giveway comp soon? Love that the bottles are Bio degradable too.

[@ColonelBummleigh]

I man could lose his mind surrounded by all those drinks bottles...

[@janplexy]

Didn't know these are made in my country - Croatia.

[@adammillsindustries.]

I’d have a picture of Ollie with GCN graphics for been the best presenter.

[@rr8299]

Picture of my bike of course!!!

[@gcntech]

What else?!

[@paulktfdaly6242]

John is it a bottul or a bottle that is is the question great vid

[@hugobci]

Does the world really need so much of everything?

[@surlyogre1476]

YES!

[@larhouser]

So will we have a contest for one of Johns custom factory tour printed bottles?

[@yaman1101]

I guess the person and the photo of whom I want to get printed on would be Marco Pantani and his Victory of 1998 Giro and Tour double

[@danielsaba645]

Do you know when you'll be able to customise your own bottle?

[@walthansen6333]

Picture(s) on the bottle.... One side, Merckx, the other side George Mount.

[@Metal-Possum]

Who wakes up one morning and decides "You know what? I'm going to invest millions of dollars into some large machinery to sell plastic water bottles with a retail price of around $15."

[@hglenn55]

I would have StarMan riding a Canyon Aero "Cycling in to the future." Printed on to a white bottle with Falcon 9 landing legs on the bottom

[@randyhale4181]

How do they make bar tape.👌🏻

[@FreshAyers]

I would like to have my KZbin channel logo on a bottle haha just be really cool. Excellent and interesting video GCN! 👍😀😀👍🚴😀

[@williamschultz8198]

What the hell do you do with hundreds of John Canning water bottles? Have a sale in the GCN Store.

[@gcntech]

We're currently tip-toeing around them all at GCN HQ...

[@oreocarlton3343]

This is cool, but Im never coming back after I tried stainless steel bottles - last forever and taste is way superior

[@drewbarrow5670]

What about the rattling sound whilst been in the bottle cage?

[@oreocarlton3343]

@@drewbarrow5670 you have to go with stiffer bottle cages and then its neutralized.

[@ashwinmandan5]

I'd print Lance Armstrong cuz it will be satisfying to see if the machine rejects to print his face on the bottle itself

[@jackdumanat49]

Lmfao!! Can i have one of those bottles 😂

[@1TAlien]

How about how bike tires are made?

[@Pratalax]

oh god those Cannings bottles are fucking mental xD

[@sandgroper1970]

Well empty weight of a water bottle is not my priority. I just want a bottle to hold a certain amount of water, fit into the standard bottle cage, be easy to handle.

[@andreasl5707]

Bartape how's it made

[@illwarez899]

What about handlebars

[@canitogalicia]

Special Edition collection bottles of all the past winners of the GIro, Vuelta, and the Tour....

[@rowerowysztos]

I have an Elite Iceberg bottle and it's really horribly made. It's leaking all the time, and it's hard to drink from it. How did they managed to make it so badly?

[@MrJhockley]

So Elite bottles are corn based. Does that mean less of that plasticy taste/smell?

[@willemniehorster9836]

I want one bidon with your pictutre!

[@chazpilks]

I’d have a picture of my son, Jacob (people who know me know why) & my youngest Gregor. Both on their bikes, hill climbing

[@gcntech]

Cute!

[@tomloa245]

price delivery are too expensive in your website shop outside england , i did not buy anything

[@horiapintilie4263]

How It's Made: GCN edition

[@gcntech]

Approved?

[@AndrewFrink]

I'd like to see how they make a bottle that fully comes apart so that it can be cleaned properly.

[@surlyogre1476]

You mean a Clean Bottle (tm)?

[@AndrewFrink]

@@surlyogre1476 I just looked those up and nope, I have a long scrubby brush to get into the bottoms. I need someone to make a spout that I can get apart to clean. It's the surfaces between the moving parts of the normal spouts that I can't wash. I salsa have a bottle like the old gcn ones with the little rubber valve in them. Again there are spots in the valve I can't clean. I don't care how much it weighs, but I do need to be able to open close it one handed or with my teeth.

[@flyingturtle4559]

Andrew__ Actually the spouts can be taken apart. Newer bottles use a softer more pliable rubber to make the spouts. If you look on the inside to the cover as you push and pull the movable part, you'll notice the little tabs on the side that prevent the spout from being easily pulled apart. If you use your thumbnail to push the tabs in while pulling the spout apart, you can separate the two pieces. The tabs are designed so it's easy to push the pieces together, but harder to pull them apart.

[@nightsfalling]

I am glad these bottles are biodegradable. I wish all of the plastic was.

[@johnstoneweetabix]

a video about a man Canning in a bottling factory.

[@gcntech]

very good knievel...

[@ben-lu3vd]

Comment of the week bottles?

[@MrKidzu]

Now i'm proud of my fly550ml

[@lolmygoodness]

Cannings in a bottling plant heh

[@robwatkinson4853]

BPA free?

[@fitzt70]

Corn based plastic is not biodegradable as corn. For more information read this article: www.thoughtco.com/pros-cons-corn-based-plastic-pla-1203953

[@lukecooper1993]

Who else misses Matt

[@earthstick]

If Elite can make these out of corn based plastic and they are 100% biodegradable and food safe then why isn't supermarket food packaging made out of the same plastic?

[@gcntech]

That's a good point!

[@paulhowell7103]

ALLEZ , ALLEZ, ALLEZ champions for the sixth time YNWA

[@JonCannings]

Well said

[@carlosormani9444]

#gcntech can i have a Jon's bottle?

[@raybarber9526]

Why wasn't Jon wearing a hairnet?

[@user-km3ur7bi1w]

1

[@RandomTheories]

thanks, i just realised that i left my water bottle on my bike from the ride yesterday :D

[@justinbecker3066]

Look good many Cannings were printed. Good thing they are bio degradable!

[@JonCannings]

Oh come on. That's not nice.

[@karelt5413]

Jon, please trow me a bidon. (waterbottle)

[@the.communist]

Made in croatia. That responds why they are so expensive

[@jackseph03]

$4 on Wiggle

[@shinobi111782]

caption comment prizes!!!

[@TopseyKretts]

...There are two reasons why you should never drink toilet water.. Number one. And number two...

[@McClimber234]

That was quite a few rejected bottles from the print process.