Best Way to Mount Water Bottle Cages on Old Bikes?
03-03-14, 03:29 PM
#1
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Best Way to Mount Water Bottle Cages on Old Bikes?
Just curious what everyone does to deal with water storage on bikes without brazed-on water bottle cage mounts?
- Clamp to downtube (metal or plastic/rubber clamps)?
- Clamp to handlebars?
- Clamp behind saddle?
- Camelbak & protect the paint/chrome?
Trying to decide what to do on my Moto. I had a cage clamped to my handlebar but didn't like it's effect on maneuverability. I'm contemplating clamping to my downtube but concerned about marring the paint. Mounting to my seat post could be interesting but inhibit the use of saddlebags. Camelbak protects the pretty paint and chrome, but my back probably won't like it.
- Clamp to downtube (metal or plastic/rubber clamps)?
- Clamp to handlebars?
- Clamp behind saddle?
- Camelbak & protect the paint/chrome?
Trying to decide what to do on my Moto. I had a cage clamped to my handlebar but didn't like it's effect on maneuverability. I'm contemplating clamping to my downtube but concerned about marring the paint. Mounting to my seat post could be interesting but inhibit the use of saddlebags. Camelbak protects the pretty paint and chrome, but my back probably won't like it.
03-03-14, 03:34 PM
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Tape or inner tube under the clamp to protect the paint?
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03-03-14, 03:36 PM
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Back when these bikes were new and not so precious most of us just clamped the cage directly to the tubes and let the paint take the hit, just like front derailleurs and campy cable guides and clips...
The old "patina vs pristine" argument I suppose.
Brent
The old "patina vs pristine" argument I suppose.
Brent
03-03-14, 03:37 PM
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Clamps onto the tube, some mylar or electrical tape below to help protect the clamp from eating through the paint.
Placement can be problematic as often the original graphic placements were not the best to locate the clamps without covering them.
TA handlebar mount cages were around, but they are pretty pricey now.
Minoura did make an adapter to mount a cage designed for the downtube in front of the bars.
Placement can be problematic as often the original graphic placements were not the best to locate the clamps without covering them.
TA handlebar mount cages were around, but they are pretty pricey now.
Minoura did make an adapter to mount a cage designed for the downtube in front of the bars.
03-03-14, 03:38 PM
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Before braze-ons folks used clamps to attach cable, water bottles, pumps, you name it. You can still by the clamps.
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03-03-14, 03:39 PM
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Clear Helicopter tape does the job for me when it comes to protecting paintwork from metal clamps.
Available from lots of sellers on ebay.
Available from lots of sellers on ebay.
03-03-14, 03:41 PM
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Here are a bunch of options:
https://www.universalcycles.com/searc...r+bottle+mount
A few wraps of electrical tape under any tube mounting option will protect the paint.
https://www.universalcycles.com/searc...r+bottle+mount
A few wraps of electrical tape under any tube mounting option will protect the paint.
03-03-14, 03:45 PM
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I was just imagining: A home-made apparatus that would make use of front or rear pannier rack?
I am thinking of something of a nylon (insulated?) sling that fits overall.
I am thinking of something of a nylon (insulated?) sling that fits overall.
03-03-14, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Dfrost
Here are a bunch of options:
https://www.universalcycles.com/searc...r+bottle+mount
A few wraps of electrical tape under any tube mounting option will protect the paint.
https://www.universalcycles.com/searc...r+bottle+mount
A few wraps of electrical tape under any tube mounting option will protect the paint.
https://www.google.com/search?q=axio...94%3B500%3B500
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Last edited by 10 Wheels; 03-03-14 at 04:01 PM.
03-03-14, 04:07 PM
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Twofish- works great and doesn't mar the finish. Complaints about them sliding around is usually because the bike or the rubber pad is dirty.
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03-03-14, 04:35 PM
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Not sure if the OP wishes to retain the vintage / period look but if not concerened this Minoura mount allows all sorts of configurations.
https://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126183484
Other: It took a bit of getting used to but I'm converted as a camelback user for both on/off road. I like the extra reserve in water and un-weighting the bike. The storage for extras is a bonus.
That said, I still leave a single cage on most bikes. I don't use them much but occasionally will carry a hot coffee in stainless, juice / energy drink.
https://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126183484
Other: It took a bit of getting used to but I'm converted as a camelback user for both on/off road. I like the extra reserve in water and un-weighting the bike. The storage for extras is a bonus.
That said, I still leave a single cage on most bikes. I don't use them much but occasionally will carry a hot coffee in stainless, juice / energy drink.
03-03-14, 06:22 PM
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I'd like a handlebar mount if I could get a cool one but I'd probably end up using a camelback anyway. They are the way to go.
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03-03-14, 06:51 PM
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I paint a light coating of this on the underside of my clamps. Small can of clear. Let it dry two days before using. Works great.
https://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
https://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
03-03-14, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
For the most part, though, I do as Golden Boy suggests, and wrap a piece of inner tube or even a scrap of handlebar wrap under the strap to save the tubes.
03-03-14, 07:11 PM
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Originally Posted by AZORCH
I like the idea of this product, but then I'd have no place to put my Carradice bag! (But a bottle does fit nicely into a big bag.)
For the most part, though, I do as Golden Boy suggests, and wrap a piece of inner tube or even a scrap of handlebar wrap under the strap to save the tubes.
For the most part, though, I do as Golden Boy suggests, and wrap a piece of inner tube or even a scrap of handlebar wrap under the strap to save the tubes.
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03-03-14, 07:44 PM
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I am sorry to hear about the apparent demise of Minoura.
A friend even sent me a CAPO water bottle from Capoforma (no relation, but it looks great on the bike -- I really need to get another one).
A friend even sent me a CAPO water bottle from Capoforma (no relation, but it looks great on the bike -- I really need to get another one).
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03-03-14, 07:56 PM
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I use the nylon handlebar mounted bottle holders as sold by EVO. I found the metal ones tend to vibrate and can get quite noisy.
03-03-14, 08:36 PM
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I bought these bottle cage straps from Velo Orange for my Fuji. They work, but only just. The cage hasn't fallen off yet, but it does start to sag to one side no matter how much I tighten the straps.
03-03-14, 09:28 PM
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Mehhh.... I just forgo putting a bottle cage on my older bike that does not have bosses on its down tube for a cage.
In addition to the straps possibly marring the paint on the downtube, I just could not stand the crude looks of the straps on a nice older bike.
Now if they can put a little bit of style to them as they do with clamped on top tube cable guides, where they taper the strap portion of the guides, then I would use the bottle cage straps on my bike. But for now, all I can find, including the newest ones from VO are just plain ugly straight straps....... Maybe one day I'll use my Dremel to shave tapers on a set and finally use them......
In addition to the straps possibly marring the paint on the downtube, I just could not stand the crude looks of the straps on a nice older bike.
Now if they can put a little bit of style to them as they do with clamped on top tube cable guides, where they taper the strap portion of the guides, then I would use the bottle cage straps on my bike. But for now, all I can find, including the newest ones from VO are just plain ugly straight straps....... Maybe one day I'll use my Dremel to shave tapers on a set and finally use them......
03-03-14, 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by rootboy
I paint a light coating of this on the underside of my clamps. Small can of clear. Let it dry two days before using. Works great.
https://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
https://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip
Brent
03-03-14, 11:49 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by John E
I am sorry to hear about the apparent demise of Minoura.
Whatever the case, here's the universal cage mount:
https://www.amazon.com/Minoura-BH-95X.../dp/B001ASWIUQ
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03-04-14, 05:05 AM
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I like the permanence and clean look that rivnuts provide myself, but I don't know that I'd want to drill into a truly classic frame. For my old bikes that are more vintage than classic, they're perfect.
03-04-14, 06:07 AM
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This is what I use, made by Zefal. I also use a very thick protective tape under the clamps.
03-04-14, 08:26 AM
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I held out until I found a T.A. with no rust at a reasonable price. It took a long time. I paid more for the Peugeot bottle. I down tube mount would have put clamps on the decals.
03-04-14, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Grand Bois
I held out until I found a T.A. with no rust at a reasonable price. It took a long time. I paid more for the Peugeot bottle. I down tube mount would have put clamps on the decals.
Many bike back then had this situation or worse, think Schwinn Paramount.
