General Cycling Discussion - bike manufacturers must think women do not get thirsty...

Hey All-

With the purchase of a bike for myself, the better half has started to express interest in getting one as well. Like mine, something for around town, store trips, etc.

I started doing research and was surprised to see something in pictures of U-frame bikes.

No bottle cage mounts.

I can understand not having one in the smaller space between the tubes, but why not on the top tube? Near the stem.

Help a brother out sisters!

U frame bikes suck, thats why. Weak, flexy, heavy, ugly, pointless unless you ride with a full dress like they did circa 1910.

Most women's style MTBs can just squeeze a bottle between the 2 down tubes, but its a squish. Alt locations iuclude behind the saddle, and on the bars. Triathalon riders use both locations.
The city-style bikes you mention are designed for riding to the cafe, not for schlurping on the bike.

A lot of 'bents lack bottle cage braze-ons. My Rans would have no place for them on the frame itself, but the OSS has a long "riser" tube, which would have plenty of room for a set. Alas, no.

Hey, why not just get a hydrator?

If it's a cruiser, bottle-cage mounts probably aren't the manufacturer's priority; they're not made for long trips. You could just carry a bottle in a front basket. Otherwise, a women's MTB or hybrid frame should have mounts.

On a step-through frame, I'd be hesitant to put a bottle on the top tube--since one actually "steps through" to get on/off the bike, you'd kick the bottle every time you got on or off.

And no, you don't really need the step-through frame if you aren't wearing a dress :). But if you don't ride regularly or competitively, and you don't want to (or can't) swing your leg around the saddle & rear of the bike, a step-through frame is fine. It's also really nice if you're loading up the bike with lots of groceries/books/etc.

I purchased a TREK 7200 and it was drill for a bottle cage. It's easy to get at and I have no difficulty reaching for it. NO, I don't have long arms.

just get a handlebar-mount bottle cage, or a clamp-on cage.

Given, having the pre-drilled holes make it a far cleaner install, but you gotta do what ya gotta do. :)

well just to update, the research is leading us towards a bianchi advantage as a first bike for her. i'll probably get one of those elite ciussi side entry cages...

anyone have any other bike recommendations?

Oh, glad I saw this. I have a bike that has only one cage... and then I ran into this triathlete who had bottle cages on the back of his bike. When he told me where to go, I RAN to the shop and got it right away. It's made by Profile Design, and you can stick an additional 2 water bottles in them. You take the seat off, then slip the water bottle cages around the seat post. Check it out here to understand what I'm trying to explain: http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='3271-00'

Koffee

Oh, glad I saw this. I have a bike that has only one cage... and then I ran into this triathlete who had bottle cages on the back of his bike. When he told me where to go, I RAN to the shop and got it right away. It's made by Profile Design, and you can stick an additional 2 water bottles in them. You take the seat off, then slip the water bottle cages around the seat post. Check it out here to understand what I'm trying to explain: http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='3271-00'

Koffee

Koffee. You rock. That is your story.