I think my new bike may actually be a factory second.

It is the only trek I've seen (not that I've seen that many) that only had the holder for one water bottle. All the others have the holes for 2 water bottle holders.

I first noticed when I put in my bottle that it seemed much lower from the top-post than usual. Later I got to thinking about it, and noticed the missing holder.

Looking at the Trek site confirmed there should have been two.

I'm contacting LBS tomorrow, but was just curious if anyone had seen anything like this before?

The first image is a current Trek 7.5 fx (borrowed for illustrative purposes).



The second image is my bike. Notice where the bottle bracket is mounted in relation to the K in Trek. It's much lower on my bike.



The full-size version of a photo of the bike will reveal the missing pieces:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glowroc...n/photostream/

What size is your bike?

17.5 in. My 7300, w/2 mounts, was also 17.5, though I don't know if that means anything ...

Also, the mount is so low it precludes adding a 2nd mount on the vertical bar, so there's definitely a problem.

The inside triangle appears to be too small for two bottles to fit in the space.

Hmmm, that may be the case. If true, it's disappointing and surprising, partially because I didn't realize there was that much difference in frame geometry between the 7.5 and 7300.

I guess I'll still check w/the LBS and see what they have to say.

I went with these.

the smaller size frames = space for one holder; larger size frames = two bottle holders.

True, it would be difficult to slide your bottles in and out if two holders were there, but I thought Trek had holders to overcome this...ones that you placed the bottle in, from the side.

Didn't the first SOHO trek have them?

edit. I can't find any pic to back that up. I'm sure I saw them at my local TREK shop about 3 years ago. It was designed to be able to slide your starbucks grande tumbler in and out.

My 2010 17.5" Trek 7.5 only has the one holder in the spot yours is in, there isn't enough room for two.

What do you keep in the frame bag?

Mikey

FTW^^

I have a 2010 7.5 fx and it only has one bottle mount, can't get two in there because of the triangle being too small for that. It's how us short people get screwed once again. ;-)

Very interesting. I have a small bag back there now, but I see you've solved that problem w/the hanging bag (which is also bigger than the small bag I have currently). Thanks!

Thanks. I guess that clears that up, as the 2011 design hasn't changed.

I just didn't realize the 7300 geometry was so much different (it's the same size frame, but has 2 holders).

Well, there you go. Learn something every day (though I'm not happy w/this new fact :-(

If you want to put your second water bottle behind you (as in the photos) and have a seat bag on your bike, Minoura makes a nice water bottle cage holder that mounts on either the handlebar or seat post. The nice thing about this mount is that it can be set to any angle so that it can be mounted on a seat post and not interfere with with your seat bag. I have one and mount it on my road bike on long rides as a third water bottle for my recovery drink.

Thanks for the tip. Are you thinking of one that's similar to this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Minoura-BH-95X.../dp/B001392T2O

at first I wasn't getting what you meant by "set to any angle" but from the photo at the above link, it's now clear; how clever!

Spare tube, mini pump, rain jacket, energy bars.

I have a 2011 7.3 FX with only one mount, the website picture shows 2 mounts. I also have the 17.5 frame and never thought about the smaller bikes not having the spacing for 2 mounts. I also wondered why i only had one. Thanks for the explanation -- makes sense.

I think it sucks though because many people like to mount their mini pump on the seat tube.

Just make your ONE bottle count...

https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-Water-Bo...1572515&sr=1-9



Thats over a quart of liquid, enough for a decent ride...