Water Bottle under Down Tube

[Lentamentalisk]

What is your favorite way to hold a bottle under the down tube?

Right now I have a 27oz Kleen Canteen in a Profile Design plastic cage. It works, but isn't great. The bottle weighs a half pound empty, which is a bit absurd, and I'd rather have a 1-1.5L down there for some added capacity in the hot months.

I've heard good things about the BBB XL cage. I've also considered just strapping any random large bottle into a (insert brand here) anything cage.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[carthief]

http://www.velorutioncycles.com/accessory-bags/bedrock-bags-honaker-hydro-pack

Click the local advertiser! I think he'll have them in stock in a few weeks .

[wahday]

I can fit a 1l bottle under the down tube in a regular sized cage. The tall skinny ones that products like Smart Water come in have the right footprint, though they are tall. I use a little velcro strap to secure the neck to the down tube as well or it will bounce out. My issue is that things get pretty nasty down there. Especially in cow country...

I worry an anything cage might get in the way in that location.

[Lentamentalisk]

I imagine to fit a straight bottle you are using a cage more like the King Cage Iris than the standard cage with it's midway knob thing.

[wahday]

Just a standard cage. The knob thing does slightly distort the bottle. When you strap the neck of the bottle to the frame, that little knob pushes against the bottle helps hold the whole deal in place. This is a very low tech solution mind you.


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[Lentamentalisk]

Thanks for the advice. I'll stick with my current setup until I have a real reason to expand my water supply substantially, in which case I'll look at a Honaker or some bigger disposable bottles in a stronger cage like you have, Wahday.

[RonK]

I use a BBB Fuel Tank XL cage to carry a 48oz Nalgene Silo.
You will need to remove the top bottle hook and give the bottom a bit of a tweak to fit snugly.
To mount under the downtube a retaining strap is probably a good idea.

This is my friend's setup.

[Buttermilk]

this cage
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/water-bottles-cages/vo-retro-cage-with-tab-new-version.html

set up like the photo shows.
The Smart Water 33.8L is sweet. Just need to velcro the top as already mentioned

[Lentamentalisk]

Thanks for all the hints. I'm going to stick with my current setup through winter, because I have an insulated flask that fits perfectly, and will either hold a hot beverage, or just store luke warm water to refill my main bottle from to keep it from freezing.

Come summer when I'm guzzling water like crazy I'll swap it out for one of the above mentioned large capacity cages.

[wahday]

This video of a bikepacking trip to Mongolia has some good footage in the beginning about how their bikes are set up, including a lot of good shots of water bottle mounting. Check it out: https://vimeo.com/149557122

[seabiscuit]

I've successfully used the Bike Buddy on my downtube. Carried 1.5l of water on the Oregon outback with no trouble at all.

http://www.bikebuddy.co.uk

It's worth noting that a bunch of the metal water containers are *heavy*. Look for an aluminum 1.5l bottle if you can, the kleen kanteens of the world are great if you're going to the office, but it's a lot to lug around the mountains.

[Adam Alphabet]

King Cage and Zefal Magnum (1L) with a strip of 3/4" hook and loop to keep it in place. My go to for years.

[sdr]

Standard Aluminum cage and standard water bottle worked for me the entire route of the GDMBR. Did however steal an idea from a video that I saw just prior to leaving for my trip, elastic banding a plastic sandwich bag over the top of the bottle to keep it clean. Glad I did, never saw so much cow crap in my life.

[MattL]

Velocity Bottle Trap (cheap, light, eject-proof, indestructible) and a Zefal Magnum.  No strap needed.  I never drink through the cap; just use it to refill the other two bottles.