Steel frame w/out bottle cage fixings. How can I fit a cage?

Question

Hi all, I'm doing a chairity bike ride soon - I'm currently builidng up a nice road bike and totally forgot about things like bottle cages. I look at my vintage frame and notice there aren't any fixings to add one...doh.

- Can you get strap/tie on bottle cage holders?

- Are they effective? I'll most likely be carrying a 750-1000ml bottle (i.e 750g-1kg of water) - I just don't want it slipping down getting in the way of the chainset...

- Got any links? I'm in the UK, but if I have some brand names/models I can try and source on over here.

- or would it just be better to get one which clips onto the rear of your saddle?

Answer 1

Any bike shop should have metal straps to hold the water bottle cage to the bike.  That's how it was done for years.  Hose clamps will do the same thing, they just are not as pretty.  What about getting one of those water bags that straps to your back?    Drink 8 oz. every 15 minutes.  How much drinking equals eight ounces?  Simple:  Fill your water bottle with exactly eight ounces and find out how many gulps it takes to drink the 8oz..  Am I smart or what?

Answer 2

I have that same problem 1 year ago. I tried strap bottle cage but it slips to the frame of my road bike frame.

The best thing that I did is I bored hole using a 3/8 inch drill and then I used Hand Taps to thread the bore hole..

And I can now bolt my bottle cage snuggly at my bike frame

And I'm very happy.

Answer 3

There are cages that mount to the frame via straps but they really aren't very stable, but there are other options as well...

1) Get a cage that mounts to the rear of the saddle. They normally hold 2 normal sized waterbottles;

2) Get a hydration pack- one that you wear on your back. These actually do an excellent job keeping your back cool as well but is definitely the most expensive option;

3) Go to an Evans Cycle or just about any well-equipped specialist. They can install waterbottle mounts into your frame. This is accomplished using fittings that are installed very similar to "pop" rivets. A hole is drilled in the correct place, the stud is inserted, a "gun" is placed on the rivet and pulls the stud tight in the frame. The waterbottle mounting bolt then screws directly into the fitting. This would be my preference. Installation takes about 10-15 minutes start to fonosh.

Answer 4

I would definitely recommend getting a hydration pack (such as a "Camelback").  They hold 2-3 litres of water depending on the size of bladder you buy.  You can also store things like spare tubes, energy bars, and tools etc. in there.