Hose clamps vs zip-ties for holding spare bottle cage
 

So I watched another episode of RJ the Bike guy make a quick cage holder with electrical tape, hose clamps, and an older style water bottle cage. Seems easy. So, a trip to the hardware store tonight. As I'm holding the hose clamps, I'm thinking "Wow, these are a tad heavy". I still bought them.

As I'm driving home, I started thinking about using zip ties to save weight. I have plenty around in the shed to use.

Has anyone used zip ties to hold a water bottle cage, and what are your experiences with that method? And can anyone explain the advantages of using hose clamps over zip ties for water bottle cages? It seems both would work fine, other than one method using about 60-80 grams more weight.

I've used both. The hose clamps are more secure, but the zip ties don't scratch the paint. I've found I have to use 3 or four zip ties to make the cage stable enough to stay put.

:foo:

How old is your bike?

I've had issues with poor clamps allowing the cage to slip. I'd imagine you'd have the same issue with the zip ties, and rapidly find them to be annoying to use.

Anyway, if your bike has standard tubing sizes from the 1960's to 1980's, then I'd encourage you to track down some vintage cage clamps. They won't hardly be any more expensive than the hose clamps, and will be more secure and look better. Be careful of some of the cheap repro imports.

zipties are fine, as long as you get the thicker ones. Contrary to what others said, I used zipties to attach a headlight on my bike but it still scratched the paint. I would suggest that you use the hose clamps though, as they are adjustable and much stronger than zip ties. Also, if you wrap a bit of tape around the area you're attaching the cage too, your paint will be fine.

I put heat shrink on hose clamps so they don't scratch no nothing. If possible I stick with stainless clamps only, both the clamp and screw. I use zip ties only for items where there is no real load. Many zip ties presumably can compensate to a degree for the deficiencies thereof. Zip ties when stretched elongate over time and they can get brittle too from UV exposure.

This would be my 1985 Peugeot PGN10. I will be using electrical tape under the zip ties (or hose clamps).

That means just about any vintage strap you can source will work. Just make sure you choose bottle cages with the ears sticking out on the ends.

Bontrager Handlebar Bottle Cage Mount

https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.co...711-1-11-1.jpg

...speaking from personal experience, well worth the five bucks versus the stuff you're talking about.

I'm looking to mount the cage on the seat tube, just above the crank.

I tried my luck with some zip ties tonight. The ones I have are pretty good, and they hold the cage and a full bottle pretty well. I'll try this setup for a few short trips and see how it works out. I wrapped some electrical tape around the seat tube prior to mounting the cage to give the zip ties something to compress. I gave it some force and it doesn't budge, at least for now.

I use the stainless hose clamps for my PX-10 and PX-50, with electrical tape underneath the clamps. They're very secure, and I can't see that zip-ties would hold well. I'd be concerned that they'd slip and allow the bottle cage ears to scratch the paint.

But, if you've calculated the weight of 2 hose clamps as 60-80 grams and are concerned with the weight difference, that would equal 2 or 3 ounces of water. You could just put 2 ounces less water in the bottle and you could hardly tell the difference.

https://recklesscognition.wordpress....ws-and-bosses/
Adding Water Bottle Cages to Bicycles without Braze

I used the electrical tape, hose clamp route to install 2 bottle cages, and 35 years later, they were still secure. When I removed them to sell it, there was zero damage to the paint.

lots of mounts out there

Minoura Japan ? BH-95X

https://www.rei.com/product/873462/t...tle-cage-mount

Years ago I bought a cheapo version of that, and it was worthless. But that one looks like a much better design. How stable is that?

A pair of DMR Hinged Clamps. Rock solid.

http://www.wigglestatic.com/product-...=430&h=430&a=7
https://i.imgur.com/3mkbzuHl.jpg

I think you've found me a winner! Time to create a Wiggle account.

Great find!
 

That is an awesome bit of kit there. Not simply utilitarian, but blingy as well. :thumb:

Every water bottle cage solution ever invented.


-Tim-

...I have not used that particular one, because the cheaper ones from Nashbar were available until last year or so.
But the design is similar, and they support the weight of a full water bottle on the bar quite well.

If there is a drawback, it's that if you go over a railroad track type bump at speed, you can launch the bottle.:)

Which I have done at least once. But that sort of motion can launch a down tube mounted bottle too. Which I have also done at least once.:o

Wow! :roflmao:
Just wow!
Who knew?

Thanks.

Maybe try a Two Fish Quick Cage?

I wouldn't worry about saving a few grams on a 1980s steel bike. It's not like Phil Gaimon trying to save grams on a 12 lb climbing bike. I barely notice the weight difference on my '89 Centurion Ironman with or without a second full water bottle, even on hill climbs.

And don't depend on zip ties for long. Especially not to hold a water bottle. I've seen those snap and nearly cause crashes in group rides when other riders used zip ties to secure their water bottle cages.

I use them to secure the brake cables on my road bike -- the calipers are very picky about cable position. The zip ties secure the cables so the pad doesn't rub on one side. But riding about 400-500 miles a month mostly in daylight the sun breaks down the zip ties pretty quickly. They'll get brittle and snap every 2-3 months. No big deal, doesn't cause any serious problem, just minor brake pad rub on the rims.

I carry spares in the seat bag. Same age as the zip ties on the handlebar and frame, but still pliable because they aren't exposed to sunlight.

A hose clamp would be a much safer and more dependable long term solution if nothing else is readily available.

The Twofish solution is very popular among the fixed gear community who often don't have cage bosses on their bikes.


-Tim-