Bottle Braze less bike frames - solutions

[AJosiahK]

I currently own a 2010 Geekhouse Team CX. I picked it up here several years back from our own ecsnsmb. It's probably one of my favorite riding bikes. As its no frills, tight geo and fun build make it that. A really rad ride. That being said, its not superbly versatile. Not a huge problem really. Im not a fender goober as I already have two other rigs that are suited with full fenders for those wetter rides. So thats not an issue.

As a team race rig, Marty et co never brazed bottle mounts into the frame. And at first it didn't bother me. But as time goes on, it does. Ive thought through other options and am now thinking about frame mounted cages. I don't like riding with bottles in my jersey, as I already have stuff in them and its just awkward. Also i Like to ride with two. Usually would just wear a hydropack. Even that.

Im looking really for a solution that you all have used that doesn't end up ruining the frame/paint over time. Ive found ALOT of clamp versions, but they all seem to offer little support, are cheap, and honestly they look kinda bad

What do you all think?

[weaponsgrade]

I'd take it to a framebuilder or maybe even a well-equipped shop and have them put in those bottle rivets.

[Clean39T]

King Cage makes some nifty clamps that are very secure - worked perfectly on my Kirk if you want to search out the pics ..

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[AJosiahK]

I'd take it to a framebuilder or maybe even a well-equipped shop and have them put in those bottle rivets.

That works for alum, i should have mentioned this bike is steel therefore can't have this type of work done retroactively. Rather, im told its not a good idea at least drilling into steel like that. That could be wrong?!

[AngryScientist]

That works for alum, i should have mentioned this bike is steel therefore can't have this type of work done retroactively. Rather, im told its not a good idea at least drilling into steel like that. That could be wrong?!

that is dead wrong.

many steel CX bikes have been retrofitted with rivnuts.

[AJosiahK]

that is dead wrong.

many steel CX bikes have been retrofitted with rivnuts.

well then thats interesting to hear. That could probably be easily done by the right person then. I imagine it effects the paint in those spots.

Now that I think about it, the person who told me that probably wanted me to get rid of it and ride one of their bikes. ( ex boss of a local shop )

TBH, still more interested in low cost retrofitting options though.

Thanks Angry

[woolly]

king cage makes some nifty clamps that are very secure - worked perfectly on my kirk if you want to search out the pics ..

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+1

[vav]

well then thats interesting to hear. That could probably be easily done by the right person then. I imagine it effects the paint in those spots.

Now that I think about it, the person who told me that probably wanted me to get rid of it and ride one of their bikes. ( ex boss of a local shop )

TBH, still more interested in low cost retrofitting options though.

Thanks Angry

I bought a used steel CX Zanc frame and talked to Mike about installing bottle bosses. He graciously did the job and did not want to accept any money. It took him less than 20 min and the paint was not affected ( no torch involved btw ) It should not be that hard for a bike shop or builder or a handy person with the right tool.

[wasfast]

My solution on a cross frame I had was to make a 3D printed part that adapted the 2 boss location to a cylindrical face. 2 tie wraps hold it to the frame.

I think I saw a product like it available commercially but don't remember exactly.

[Peter P.]

I know mounting it on the frame is traditional, and conventional, but I would like to suggest an alternative.

Water bottle mounts behind the saddle. (https://www.google.com/search?q=triathlete+water+bottle+mounted+behind+th e+seat&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab)

[weaponsgrade]

That works for alum, i should have mentioned this bike is steel therefore can't have this type of work done retroactively. Rather, im told its not a good idea at least drilling into steel like that. That could be wrong?!

I have a steel Seven with the rivnuts. It might take a right angle drill to fit inside the front triangle, but I'd bet it could be done.

[General69]

I like these bottle bags. I also put a Camelback bladder in a frame bag sometimes. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MPQSZD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rmYECbPDSDEXKhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190303/8e41325b44ea96f713c2ec0a345ddd93.jpg

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[Ken Robb]

I borrowed DBRK's R. Sachs cross bike and it had a double bottle cage behind the saddle and mounted to the seat post. I think these were used by tri-athletes on time trial bikes.

[rwsaunders]

You can do it yourself.

https://youtu.be/qNLo2rIw5M8

[bironi]

You can also check out Two Fish straps. Works on a track bike I purchased.

[Dasarbule]

Zefsl Gizmo. They work like a hot damn. I have used them on frames, seatposts, folding bike handleposts...

https://www.modernbike.com/zefal-gizmo-bottle-cage-mount?gclid=CjwKCAiA8OjjBRB4EiwAMZe6y3MTV9NmbnSrBW LNH396ruOdrD9dc_s8poNCIUPVoMuyGnKXa8IukhoCGaIQAvD_ BwE

[Jef58]

I use a water bottle mount that mounts to the rear of the saddle. X-Labs is the one I have. Kind of pricey, but saved me from drilling or clamping to the frame. The Tri folks here use them and hold the bottles pretty good. That said, riv nuts would probably work on a stout frame...

[weisan]

You can do it yourself.

https://youtu.be/qNLo2rIw5M8

I need to put one here...will try it on another decommissioned frame before I attempt on this one.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697937471&stc=1&d=1491502903

[bironi]

I need to put one here...will try it on another decommissioned frame before I attempt on this one.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697937471&stc=1&d=1491502903

Isn't a pity, isn't it a shame?

[weisan]

Isn't a pity, isn't it a shame?

Yes it is. That's why I haven't done it.

[bironi]

Please don't do it, don't you break my heart.

[weisan]

Please don't do it, don't you break my heart.

Ok, I won't, I promised I won't break your heart.

[bironi]

Thank you.
Consider this concerning your future bike decisions.

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/t/twain/mark/what_is_man/chapter3.html

[fogrider]

I use a water bottle mount that mounts to the rear of the saddle. X-Labs is the one I have. Kind of pricey, but saved me from drilling or clamping to the frame. The Tri folks here use them and hold the bottles pretty good. That said, riv nuts would probably work on a stout frame...

I've done this on a track bike, I hated it! the weight of 2 waterbottles so high on rear bike threw off the handling of the bike so much! and on rough roads, I"ve had bottles fall out, I can't image riding on gravel or dirt...

[weisan]

Thank you.
Consider this concerning your future bike decisions.

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/t/twain/mark/what_is_man/chapter3.html

Oh yes!
No more living in fear.
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=234706

[Mark McM]

I've done this on a track bike, I hated it! the weight of 2 waterbottles so high on rear bike threw off the handling of the bike so much! and on rough roads, I"ve had bottles fall out, I can't image riding on gravel or dirt...

I've used them, and I concur on mounting the weight that high throws off the handling of the bike (there's a reason that panniers are intentionally mounted as low as possible).

These types of water bottle holders also act as very effective bottle launch pads - because the bottles are mounted in line with the rear axle, hitting a bump can cause the water bottle to be launched upward from the cage. I've ridden over railroad tracks, and then immediately watched a water bottle on its ballistic trajectory going over my shoulder. Many rider who use these water bottle holders resort to using straps to secure the water bottles in their cages (which makes it even less convenient to grab a bottle for a sip).

[Kirk007]

The King cages clamps work fine and with frame protector tape underneath it protects the paint (more to the point - bikes are to be ridden not stuck in a museum so that the paint doesn't get scratched. Aesthetically its not as nice as brazed on mounts but after awhile they sorta disappear to me. When I look at photos of my Kirk Cross (Clean's before), I don't even notice. See https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=231132&highlight=kirk+cross&page=2 . (post 17 for example).

[Jdg68]

I tried the Two Fish but couldn’t keep it from sliding around. It worked better on the seatpost but I was only able to remove the bottle when stopped (worked ok to refill Jersey pocket bottle).

[woolly]

I tried the Two Fish but couldn’t keep it from sliding around. It worked better on the seatpost but I was only able to remove the bottle when stopped (worked ok to refill Jersey pocket bottle).

That's pretty much been my experience with the Two Fish as well - it needed pretty frequent attention to keep it centered & tight. The King clamps, not at all. Never tried the Two Fish on the seatpost, but that sounds awkward & inconvenient anyway.

[Jef58]

I've used them, and I concur on mounting the weight that high throws off the handling of the bike (there's a reason that panniers are intentionally mounted as low as possible).

These types of water bottle holders also act as very effective bottle launch pads - because the bottles are mounted in line with the rear axle, hitting a bump can cause the water bottle to be launched upward from the cage. I've ridden over railroad tracks, and then immediately watched a water bottle on its ballistic trajectory going over my shoulder. Many rider who use these water bottle holders resort to using straps to secure the water bottles in their cages (which makes it even less convenient to grab a bottle for a sip).

They have their issues and are hard to get the bottle in and out at times, but I have one cage on smooth roads. I can see if the OP is doing CX racing or gravel, it could be a poor choice. Riv nuts is what I would do if that were the case...

[choke]

If you use 26mm bars the Minoura BH-60 (loads of them on eBay) works very well - it allows mounting a bottle cage on the bars. They also made a double cage version but they're hard to find.

In regards to the ejecting bottles, I had that problem at first on dirt/gravel roads. Since I switched to King Iris cages I haven't had a bottle even move in the cage, let alone go flying.

Here's the Minoura mounted on a bike.

http://cino16.ciocctoo.com/cino16-16.jpg

[AJosiahK]

so far back of the saddle Tri bits seem like the best idea. or those bands

i ride this bike alot on dirt so it gets a fair amount of ruckus thrown at it

thanks for the opinion all.