Water bottle mount on top tube for a 29er?

[raygunner]

I just rode the GAP/C&O Canal trail this past week. Overall a great time but I just wish I had a 29er, especially for the C&O Canal.

For my first day I rode with a super nice guy who had a Surly Ogre with a full frame pack but rigged a water bottle on his top tube. It's tough to see from the photo but it's black & positioned near the seat tube.

I hope to have a 29er soon and was thinking about such a placement in the event I run a full frame bag.

Anyone have any thoughts about such a water bottle placement apart from well, damaging the franks & beans?

http://s1.postimg.org/5l1a7lbzj/image.jpg

[unterhausen]

I was trying to figure out where the heck the water bottle was until I saw the cage. I think that would drive me nuts because I would feel it there while pedaling.

[raygunner]

Yeah, sorry for the bad photo. Finding it is kinda like Where's Waldo. The owner was filling up the bottle at that rest stop.

[csm]

I'd probably carry water in a hydration pack.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[p nut]

Do you need to run a full frame pack? I’ve got a Revelate Tangle bag that I can use with the two bottles in place. If you need more space, Revelate (or similar) saddle bag or bags mounted to the fork legs (as pictured above) would be best.

If you must run a full frame pack, maybe a Revelate Feed Bag or two would work? (Sorry, I sound like an infomercial. I have no ties with the company, except for 3 bags I own).

http://www.adventurecycling.org/default/assets/Image/Slatwall/product/cache/Revelate_MountainFeedBag2_BT4004_600w_600h.jpg

[raygunner]

You know, I was just thinking about it as an option in case I was running a full frame bag or riding through the Southwest in search of the best tacos.

I know there's N+1 options for bikepacking and was just thinking about this too.

[christian]

Dude, Elps hasn't taken you to the best tacos? It's Chicos on Figueroa. Get the potato ones! There's no need to ride around looking.

And no that doesn't seem like a great place for a bottle cage.

[Matt-H]

I have top tube bottle braze-ons on my 29'er EWR. Due to the unique frame design, possible bottle locations were limited. I haven't mounted a cage on the top tube as I use a pack but nothing wrong, imo, with having them on my frame just in case I ditch the pack. Options are nice. In the case of the EWR, it most likely wouldn't affect me re: standover.

[gdw]

You can carry a hydration bladder in most full frame packs. The size of your front triangle will determine the amount of water you can fit into it. I can easily carry 100oz in a medium pack if the bladder is laid on the down tube or 70-80oz if it is placed upright against the seat tube. I usually carry 3-5 days of food in the frame pack and miscellaneous items as well. You run the hose through the zipper opening if the pack you choose doesn't have a hydration port. You can also attach regular cages to your fork if you prefer bottles. Use adjustable hose clamps to secure them if the fork lacks mounts. I'd avoid the Salsa Anything Cages shown in your picture. They have a poor reputation in the bikepacking community.

I'd advise against carrying a bottle on the top tube unless you're bowlegged and don't plan to have children. An emergency dismount or accident could be very painful.

[JAGI410]

I second the mountain feed bag recommendation. Fits bottle perfectly, and it's insulated! Plus the outer pockets work well for holding garbage or small snacks. There's no weird handling if only using one either.

[raygunner]

Thanks for the great advice. I was also informed about this doohicky.

http://www.xcracer.com/content/products/KingTopCapM.jpg

[gdw]

Another option:
http://www.twofish.biz/attach-a-water-bottle/blog

[jh_on_the_cape]

two fish quick cage should work.
http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html

http://www.twofish.biz/lauren_nina/Bottlecg.gif

[russ46]

Two Fish might work for me. I bought a mtb in June & thought I'd be able to use some spare mounts but found I can't get the short bottles out without having to stop & the tall bottles won't fit at all. I was looking for a mount that would or could be modified to lower its position but gave up on the search.

[p nut]

Two Fish might work for me. I bought a mtb in June & thought I'd be able to use some spare mounts but found I can't get the short bottles out without having to stop & the tall bottles won't fit at all. I was looking for a mount that would or could be modified to lower its position but gave up on the search.

Can you just use a side loading cage?

http://www.jensonusa.com/!3aq6WuWW9hBXm-yQSkmRUQ!/Lezyne-Composite-Side-Loading-Flow-Cage?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CIbAwL7h98ACFSpo7AodvXgA9Q

Also, if you have a good relationship with your local Spec dealer, you may be able to get some seat post cage mounts for free. They're usually shipped with some of the race bikes, and are seldom used by the buyers, so they usually have a pile of them. If you're not using a saddle bag, it's another convenient place to put a bottle.

http://www.nordicgroup.us/cageboss/cagebossimages/seatpostclamp.jpg

[raygunner]

Well I'm planning on doing a custom build so I'd preferablly have all the bosses installed before using aftermarket solutions.

[nublar]

I'd just use a hydration pack. The water bottle will get filthy

[p nut]

Another option:

http://joecruz.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/return-of-the-pugsley/

http://joecruz.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/p1050153.jpg?w=644&h=484

[tmf]

I've seen a guy riding a couple of times that has two water bottle cages mounted at the bottom of his fork facing forward (maybe slightly rotated outward). I didn't catch the details when passing, so I'm not sure if it was a rigid or suspension fork, or if he had braze-ons or used clamps. It looked like a pretty clean spot for water on a fully loaded bike.

[dogdriver]

Thanks for the great advice. I was also informed about this doohicky.

http://www.xcracer.com/content/products/KingTopCapM.jpg

This is just cool. I just might order one for my ss...

[p nut]

This is just cool. I just might order one for my ss...

I am a bit skeptical of that device. The star nut that it's mounted to isn't the strongest thing in the world.

[russ46]

Can you just use a side loading cage?

http://www.jensonusa.com/!3aq6WuWW9hBXm-yQSkmRUQ!/Lezyne-Composite-Side-Loading-Flow-Cage?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CIbAwL7h98ACFSpo7AodvXgA9Q

http://www.nordicgroup.us/cageboss/cagebossimages/seatpostclamp.jpg

I thought about them but wasn't sure how well they hold the bottles. Let me know if you have experience with them on rough surfaces. FYI I normally use a hydration pack but on short rides I would like to avoid the filling, cleaning & drying hassle.

[dogdriver]

I am a bit skeptical of that device. The star nut that it's mounted to isn't the strongest thing in the world.

Very good point. plus, I remembered that I can't ride my single speed ride for more than 2 hours, anyways, and one bottle is fine for that...

[donevwil]

I tried the twofish, but just couldn't get it tight enough. It would work fine until one bump in the middle of a ride and then swing to the side. Many love it, just can't figure out a more secure way of mounting it. Certainly can't imagine using it on a bike intended for any amount of off road.

I ultimately went with this Minoura (http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-Bottle-Holder-Horizontal-Handlebar/dp/B000YOOVIO/ref=sr_1_24/179-6855537-2577321?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1411577249&sr=1-24&keywords=minoura+bottle+cage) (many other configurations available as well). Mounts to the center of the bars around the stem. It's been perfect, solid, out of the way yet perfectly accessible.

1697887220

[p nut]

I thought about them but wasn't sure how well they hold the bottles. Let me know if you have experience with them on rough surfaces. FYI I normally use a hydration pack but on short rides I would like to avoid the filling, cleaning & drying hassle.

I actually haven't used them yet, as I already have 3 mounts on the bike and typically have a saddle bag. If I can find them, you are welcome to them for the cost of postage.


Very good point. plus, I remembered that I can't ride my single speed ride for more than 2 hours, anyways, and one bottle is fine for that...

You have some pretty good climbs (at elevation) where you're at. Did the Crest loop from Canyons a couple of weeks ago and my aspiration for the P2P race suddenly vanished.

[cinema]

it is standard and useful to have the bottle underneath the downtube and towards the bottom of the fork on bikepacking rigs.

[rugbysecondrow]

Awesome. I have done the GAP but not the C and O. Here is my GAP video.

Cheers!

Paul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMzwUjy6gU

[jh_on_the_cape]

I was looking through my stuff today and found a two fish cage in the bin, in case you want to buy a used one.