Bicycle Mechanics - Mounting Bottle Cages

Well I just got two Bianchi cages for my bike from BianchiUSA, to my dismay they didn't come with anything to attach them to the bike. Thus. What kind of screw should I use to mount them. Something that doesn't rust I imagine? I'm kind of clueless on this simple thing.

Maybe you want to try the cage (single or double) that attaches to the rear of your saddle. Who says it must be mounted on the downtube?

So what's the bike frame look like? Virtually all modern bikes come with water bottle cage mounting points already on the frame. They usually look like two 4mm allen bolts about 3" apart on each of the seat and down tubes. If your frame has them, I'd just use the bolts that come with the bike.

oooo...I have a question. Can you mount a cage on the rear of the saddle if you have one of those saddle bags underneath it, or would it interfeare with getting at the stuff in the saddle bag?

I got no bolts with my bike :( I went down to Lowes and picked up four stainless steel flat screws for now. I might try to get some more proper ones later. I'm sick but now I must ride.

My local hardware store (you know, the kind where the people know where things are, and have solutions to EVERTHING you can imagine) has a really good supply of stainless metric fasteners, including the cap head bolts used to hold water bottle cages in place. My bike had the bolts, but the originals have long since returned to the earth from which they came. The stainless ones wil last pretty much forever.

to cycleprincess: you most likely will not be able to mount the cage underneath the saddle bag, your best bet is to mount it on the down tube, if you are using a tri bike and you have a profile aero bar, you can get a profile aero bar waterbottle and still keep your saddle bag..

Any bike shops carry fastening bolts for bottle cages. If you force a different bolt size you may render the thread useless.
Have a great ride ;)

Maybe you want to try the cage (single or double) that attaches to the rear of your saddle. Who says it must be mounted on the downtube?all he needs is cage bolts.

I got no bolts with my bike :( I went down to Lowes and picked up four stainless steel flat screws for now. I might try to get some more proper ones later. I'm sick but now I must ride.make sure you get the right size metric thread.

Any bike shops carry fastening bolts for bottle cages. If you force a different bolt size you may render the thread useless.
Have a great ride ;)We have a winner!

Cycleprinces:

There is a popular little bag that many of the female triathletes in my area are starting to use that mounts to the top tube just behind the stem and then is secured with a velcro strap around the stem/headset junction. Don't quote me but I believe the product is called a Mondo box. It's available in a couple of sizes. Check some of the tri sites on the net. If I come across it I will post it to your attention here.

If you live in a rainy area, be sure to put some sealant around the opening when you put the cage on. That'll prevent water from seeping in.

Cycleprinces:

There is a popular little bag that many of the female triathletes in my area are starting to use that mounts to the top tube just behind the stem and then is secured with a velcro strap around the stem/headset junction. Don't quote me but I believe the product is called a Mondo box. It's available in a couple of sizes. Check some of the tri sites on the net. If I come across it I will post it to your attention here.

I'd like that if you ever find it...you can PM it to me, that would be awesome.

Similarly there are microscopic bags that fit under the seat that would not protrude
into the space where the behind the seat water bottle holders ride. I don't feel
comfortable carrying less the a tube patch kit, a few tools, 3 spare tubes (have had
two rides with 3 flats), and 300 or so calories of fuel. For this I need a more substantial bag but a lot of people trust in providence or the kindness of strangers
when little mishaps happen (flats, no food or stores in sight) and ride underequipped.
Steve

Here is an option I am considering for my Capo, which lacks brazeons:

http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&SKU=WC3101

The concept is period-correct for the late 1950s, and this will avoid damage to my gorgeous CyclArt paint-and-decal job.