Bicycle Mechanics - Habanero bottle cage bosses

Every time I think I'm done with the build, I find a new problem. :)

The position of the downtube bottle wasn't very well designed by Mr. Habanero. ;)
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Any ideas would be appreciated.

From appearances it seems that only the seat tube cage need be moved upwards, probably less than 1cm.

Some bottle cages have more latitude as to the exact position relative the bosses. One that comes to mind is the old American Classic, if they still make it. Others, like those made of flat sheet metal instead can be moved higher simply by drilling a new pair of holes.

There's also some difference in how close to the tubes various cages sit. A lower profile mount can buy you a few millimeters of clearance.

Now that you know what to look for it's a matter of trial and error. But if you're patient you'll find cages that will work as they are or can be modified fairly easily.

Anyway I guess that we can say the the Habanero isn't as hot as it's rumored to be. Next time stay with poblanos.

I would call the habanero and ask them about it. I would think they would have a solution. If not, they should move the bosses.

my profile design Kages work fine w/my hab.

my profile design Kages work fine w/my hab.

This may or may not help the OP. I can't tell from the picture, but I suspect that the OP has a small frame. Most makers use the same bottle boss positions on all their frames except for smaller ones. On smaller frames there's the temptation to lower the cage position to improve access under the top tube. It seems that in this case they got a bit carried away.

It's always possible that this is a one-up defect. In production the bosses are brazed on before the frame is built, and possibly someone trimmed the seat tube from the wrong end, ending up with the cage too low.

Thanks everyone.

"my profile design Kages work fine w/my hab."
I put some Kages on there. It's a bit better, but still not good enough.

"I would call the habanero ..."
Nah! I called for the headset and it didn't really help. I solved the cable-guide error myself and will do the
same with this. It's only about 1 cm (less with the Kages). I'll figure something out. There may be a cage out there with a bottom inline with the bottom hole.

"...possibly someone trimmed the seat tube from the wrong end, ending up with the cage too low."
While I agree with you that I should focus on a slight raise for the cage on the seat tube, I disagree with
you on the original error. You probably can't tell from my picture, but I think it's the downtube bosses
that were misplaced. It was particularly obvious on my first 'long' ride yesterday. I was 'reaching' for the
bottle when I placed it in that cage. I'll take a wider-angle picture to show what I mean.

BTW, is anyone using that Shimano adapter that moves the cage to allow Di2 battery to fit down there?
I'm considering it, even though it's ugly and expensive. :)

"...possibly someone trimmed the seat tube from the wrong end, ending up with the cage too low."
While I agree with you that I should focus on a slight raise for the cage on the seat tube, I disagree with
you on the original error. You probably can't tell from my picture, but I think it's the downtube bosses
that were misplaced. It was particularly obvious on my first 'long' ride yesterday. I was 'reaching' for the
bottle when I placed it in that cage. .

That's equally possible, and the same logic applies. I only referenced it as a seat tube issue because it looked like less movement there would solve the problem. No matter how or why it happened, someone either wasn't thinking, or someone simply flocked up. I'll keep my eyes open for a cage that rides higher and PM you if I find one.

Elite makes a side entry cage and has some clamp on boss (there of course others). With issues like this you can attach the cage with the lower mounting hole in the upper boss and then add a clamp-on boss; it actually looks less contrived than you would think. This may make the water bottle cage too high (the elite cage actually mounts very low) the side entry cage will mitigate the problem of a difficult entry of the water bottle.


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All you have to do is drill new holes in the both cages to allow them to be moved so they won't touch.

Dude that's a super good screw up :) Sorry for smiling but i haven't seen a rookie mistake like that since a very long time, specially with an old builder like habanero. Wonder if that day he smoked something else instead an habano.

How much did you pay for that??? Is that AL, steel or Titanium?

I've had a similar situation on an mtb frame, I solved it by using some Velocity cages that are adjustable, allowing the position of the cage to be moved as necessary.

I looked it up, the name of the cage I used is the Velocity Velocage.

I've had a similar situation on an mtb frame, I solved it by using some Velocity cages that are adjustable, allowing the position of the cage to be moved as necessary.

I looked it up, the name of the cage I used is the Velocity Velocage.

+1, the aluminium Velocity cages can be adjusted, not sure if they make them anymore.