General Cycling Discussion - drilling mounting holes on a bike

Hello,

I would like to drill some mounting holes on my bike for additional water bottles. Are there any particular things I should look for before jumping in and drilling on any particular bar (for example, not drilling on any "seams" or something like that)? I am thinking of simply drilling on the uppermost crossbar near the seat so I can easly reach a bottle, but not so close that it will get in my way of pedaling, etc.

Any information or suggestions for this novice bicyclist would be appreciated.

Thank you,

-- Tannice 2000

Don't! ....unless you're brazing bottle mounts into those holes. Otherwise, you're asking for trouble by doing that. Your frame might eventually tear and crack.

Just go out and buy clamp-on bottle mounts. Your frame will thank you for that.

Read this. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=26735&highlight=Minoura+Single+Bottle+Cage+Holder)

WOW -- great ideas!

Thanks for replying you guys!!

I think zip ties will work for the time being until I run into a sturdier clamp-pn style or find the clamp-on bottle mounts. Thanks for sending the other thread, Ranger. I had tried doing a search through the forum search, but I guess my key words weren't quite right -- I hadn't gotten two results and they weren't very pertinent to my subject for some reason.

I am not sure what you mean, "Fixer" about brazing water bottle mounts into those holes. I was just looking to attach an extra water bottle cage or two to the frame, since my bike only had enough pre-drilled holes for one water bottle.

Thanks again!! :)

-- Tannice2000

There's always the Camelback solution. No mounting needed. Lots of water. Even some insulation to keep it cool.

I don't know if drilling holes in the main triangle would necessarily cause frame failure, at least in a steel frame, but you would need to use self-tapping screws to make it work, and it would never be a satisfactory solution. Tubing is very thin, and a normal bolt would never hold, as there are no threads holding it in place.

Personally i like the minoura handlebar-mount adapters. very convient and have a classy look, are far cheaper than the TA or Coloral versions of the same.

Water bottle mounts (called bosses) are actually threaded inserts that are brazed (a type of metal working process similar to welding) into holes that are carefully drilled in the frame. The bosses, by being properly attached, don't significantly weaken the tube like simply drilling a hole would, and they can also take the abuse of being pushed and pulled around as you insert and remove your bottles thousands of times over the life of a good frame.

Um... I'm thinking voided warranty!

(I've broken 2 frames in the last 2 weeks. Both covered under warranty)

ps. I've only broken 2 frames in the last 20 years, don't know what's going on this month...

Um... I'm thinking voided warranty!

(I've broken 2 frames in the last 2 weeks. Both covered under warranty)

ps. I've only broken 2 frames in the last 20 years, don't know what's going on this month...

You're just having a bad month....

You're just having a bad month....
Talk about an understatement....