Bottle mount solution?

[Mars]

My lad has a Ridgback MX20, as shown here:



You can't mount a drinks bottle inside the main frame triangle. Tried it on the handlebars but couldn't find a robust-enough mount (the one I bought broke off) and he (currently) has the saddle too low to fit one back there.

There's probably no solution but in case I've missed anything... anyone got any ideas?

I think we'll end up buying him a 1.5 litre hydration pack - camelback do them for kids:



Would prefer a bottle mount if one was possible.

[robpearson]

Trek, and probably a few others do saddle mounts. My other half has one on her hybrid. Not sure if that was what you were saying wouldn't fit as his saddle is too low..
Have a look at : http://bontrager.com/model/07758

[anonymous-user]

something like this?: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/minoura-sbh-300-dual-bottl...

[Mars]

I really like both of those solutions. Very neat indeed. I don't think either will clear the saddle yet but he's growing fast.

In fact I like that Bontrager one so much I'm going to buy one for myself. Thanks.

[dubbs]

Some rear saddle bottle mounts don't hold them too securely so for MTB use will possibly see you lose bottles off the back so make sure they are suitable, some don't even use them on road bikes for this reason.

Camelbak for MTBing is by far the best use.

[neilski]

A Zefal Gizmo cage mount with a regular bottle cage mounted under the down tube near the bottom bracket should work I'd have thought.

I'd also go for a steel cage rather than plastic in case of the occasional knock so something like an Elite Ciussi and don't forget to buy a bottle with a dust cap to keep all the crud out.

[mrmr96]

Is there a reason why it couldn't be mounted on top of the top tube?

[Gooby]

I recently purchased "Elite VIP Bottlecage clips" as I have no bottle cage mounting points on my bike. It is like a hefty zip tie wit a mounting point for a bottle cage at one end. You can mount at any point on the frame and you will only need a bottle cage to mount on to it. A bit ugly but does the job.

TBH I did not use it and it is still in its packaging but it will allow you to mount a bottle on a bike in any position.

I prefer a camelbak. You can also put your tools and spares in a camelbak.

[Mars]

mrmr96 said:

Is there a reason why it couldn't be mounted on top of the top tube?

Standover height. The pic is a generic pic but my boy has the seat as low as it'll go at the mo (growing fast though).

[mrmr96]

Mars said:

mrmr96 said:

Is there a reason why it couldn't be mounted on top of the top tube?

Standover height. The pic is a generic pic but my boy has the seat as low as it'll go at the mo (growing fast though).

Ok, good point.
How about below the down tube?

[Mars]

mrmr96 said:

Ok, good point.
How about below the down tube?

I have thought about that but I don't like the whole idea of it getting covered in crap, even though we use bottles with exterenal caps on them. The same would happen if it were on the seat though, I will concede. There's certainly enough room down there on the bottom tube but it just looks a bit "clunky" to my eyes.

Acknowledging the criticisms of plastic/bendy brackets on the seat above, I like the steel bracket holding the two bottles but a single bottle bracket might be enough. Seeing how simple that looks, I think I'll have a go at making one myself, after my holiday (starts Friday).

Thanks for the ideas though gents.

[mk1fan]

Camelbak - other brands are available

[Mars]

He's only 6yo. I would prefer the bike to take the weight.

[mk1fan]

Then only put 500ml in the bladder.

[G0ldfysh]

Carry it on your bike until he is big enough to have it on his own?

[dubbs]

At 6 yo I'd say just carry it yourself if you really think he needs his own full bottle... if it was me I'd just let him have some of mine and wait until he's old enough to actually need his own.

[Mars]

Christ..!! My lad polishes off his 1-litre bottle and THEN starts on mine.

When I tow my daughter in the trailer, we take an extra two bottles. My son then drinks two. Mind you, although he's only 6, he manages 12-14 miles. We take our time but he gets there in the end.

I haven't anywhere to mount an extra one on mine either, unless I use a saddle-carrier... so I've ordered a double saddle carrier. It's a little inelegant but it'll get us past this hump.

[mk1fan]

If he can manage 12-14 miles, he can manage a Camelbak.

[Mars]

I made a bracket:



Two plates from an old (and now lost) pair of speaker wall-brackets. There's foam stuck to the insides of each plate:



Seems pretty robust and it clears the brake (I had to raise his saddle by 5mm but he's growing all the time).