Thorn Cycles Forum
Technical => Luggage => Topic started by: Andybg on March 09, 2013, 06:02:11 am
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Thorught I would start a new topic on this one as I couldn't find a suitable one to tag it on to. Am looking at some new bottle cages for the Nomad.
I would like to be able to carry a variety of containers:
Standard drings bottle (stainless steel)
Small diameter (75mm) thermos flask (again stainless steel)
I have used both the Thorn advised profile design cages and a selction of cheap bottle cages. The aspect I do not like about ny of them so far is the scratch the containers.
I am currently looking at the Topeak Modula Java which is designed to carry thermo coffee cups and has the benefit of both adjustability and an adjustable rubber strap for tensioning.
The only downsides that are holding me back are:
1) Availability - SJS only have 2 and everywhere else seems to have sold out as it looks to be discontinued (not a good sign)
2) The max adjustment would not allow the possibility in the future of carrying a 1.5 litre water bottle if the need arose.
I like the design idea of the Salsa Anything but cannot find a similar design in something less industrial.
Anybody have any other suggestions. - I never drink on the bike so "difficult removal would not be an issue.
I have considered just carrying drinks in the saddle bag but feel I must be able to do something usefull with all that wasted space - maybe a custom frame bag (quick power up the industrial sewing machine and get the canvas out)
Andy
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Hi Andy!
The nearest thing I can think of to meet your needs would be the UK-made BikeBuddy: http://www.bikebuddy.co.uk/
At its most basic, it is a couple of bands that fasten 'round your container...and then those bands slide via a sort of keyhole mounts onto your bottle bosses.
The bands can be attached to a variety of containers, and those can be swapped among and between your mounts.
Some user reviews are here:
http://b1ke.wordpress.com/cycle-touring-accessories/bike-buddy-bottle-carrier/
http://2cycle2gether.com/2010/06/review-the-bikebuddy/#.UTrhc71Kjcw
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48565
The only drawback might be they have their own sort of "Industrial" look, but even that might alright if they allow for complete functionality. I've been considering the Salsa Anythings (in black of course) to accommodate the odd-shaped bottle while on-tour. Gatorade and other sports drinks often come in bottles that are uniquely shaped to reflect the brand and won't fit in my Blackburn 1.5l "Bomber" cages, so having one other option among the three might not be a bad idea.
A last thought: The Bike Buddy makes a really nice carrier for fuel bottles that never seem to properly fit any of the commercial cages on the market.
Oh yes! The Topeak Modula Javas are readily available from REI here in the 'States: http://www.rei.com/search?query=bottle+cage ...and... http://www.rei.com/product/814984/topeak-modula-java-cage for USD$15.95 each.
Hope this helps, Andy.
All the best,
Dan.
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I recently got a Monkii Cage and Clip and extra Cleats, primarily for my Brompton but have also put cleats on one position on my other bikes.
It can hold any size bottles up to 1.5l.
It seems a good system and you can also get small pouch bags to fit to the same cleats.
Only minor drawback is removing the bottle from the cage while moving is tricky, or at least putting it back is.
You can just pull the whole bottle and cage together from the cleat, take your drink, then replace but it requires a bit more accuracy than is easy while riding.
http://www.freeparable.com/monkiicage
Available on ebay in the UK here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/cycle-miles/m.html?item=221196066001&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l256
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I fitted a Bike Buudy this week. Bit of a fiddle partly due to a poor copy of instructions and also perhaps a more significant factor.
It is built to take large bottles and as a consequence it sits quite low in the V of the frame. This made it impossible to use the second bottle cage in the V. The bottoms of the bottles over lapping.
I fitted my own adaption to part of the Buddy and now the 2 liter bottle sits slightly higher thus allowing the second bottle to be used.
Pictures own another computer, so will follow later today.
But it is a good piece of kit if you need to carry large bottles.
Matt
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Thanks for the pointers guys.
The monkey looks very usefull and I like the fact it is easy to change from one bottle to another but the bike buddy definetly looks the business. My only concern would be the clamps "crushing" an empty plastic bottle but that is only a small downside.
Not the most easy to use website but looks like another spend on the bike may be on its way
ANdy
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Various pictures I have sent to the Bike Budy folk asking for their oppinion.
Maybe I have made an error in assembling the unit
Picture 1 shows how it fits after shortening the bottom stay. This raises the bottle upwards thus allowing the second holder in the V of the frame to be used.
Hope this helps
Matt
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Hi Matt
How do you find the security of the fitting on the plastic bottle when the bottle is empty?
Andy
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Hi Matt
How do you find the security of the fitting on the plastic bottle when the bottle is empty?
Andy
Good point Andy.
Just had a nice reply from the BikeBuddy folk.
They mention using a thicker walled bottle such as Highland spring since as the fluid decreases the walls can collapse on thiner bottles
Quote...
When using a commercial plastic bottle be aware that as the contents deplete the tension on the springs will lessen which could result in them flying off the cradles. You need a bottle which can withstand the spring pressure, even when empty. One bottle which appears to be stronger than most is the Highlands Spring Water bottle.
They also addressed the problem of fitting 2 bottles into the V of the frame
Quote
Thank you for your comments.
On the back of your instruction sheet there should be a drawing of ALTERNATIVE END STOPS, which assist where multi bottle set ups are envisaged.
Nice folk and I felt like I was being helped by someone who designed and manufactured their own product.
Rare nowadays
Matt
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Bikebuddy are very helpful.
I was having difficulty fitting a fuel bottle under the down tube using a Mk3 Bike Buddy - the eccentric bottom bracket shell stuck out too much for the Buddy to fit.
The nice chap at BikeBuddy altered the bottom end of my Bike Buddy so that it would fit further up the down tube, not quite reaching the eccentric shell.
Julian.
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Have just about decided to go with rualexandra's suggestion of the Monkii Cage. The flexibility of being able to use "any" bought bottle increases its use. I can see the Bike Buddy being perfect for touring when you have a set of bottles you are going to keep using time and time again but for me being able to stop at a shop, buy a bottle of water and then being able to mount it on the frame with minimal messing around wins the day. Planning on buying 3 cages and then extra mounts for the other bikes so will report on my findings.
Andy
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Ru - good find! I like the look of the Monkii Cage and clip system. Adaptable, can mount several types of bottle/bags/toolkit. Can move it from bike to bike. It is a very clever system. I like the idea that it can hold a Thermos flask - the Profile Design cages are excellent but my smallish Thermos is not properly held in place. The BikeBuddy will hold it securely but have that permanently attached to my fuel bottle.
The BikeBuddy Mk 3 seems to be the best choice for securely holding a fuel bottle. Initially the L-shaped bracket sent was too long and Robert at BikeBuddy replaced it free of charge with a Type B . Great service!
Picture shows the BikeBuddy in place holding a 1 litre bottle.
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Ru - good find! I like the look of the Monkii Cage and clip system. Adaptable, can mount several types of bottle/bags/toolkit. Can move it from bike to bike. It is a very clever system. I like the idea that it can hold a Thermos flask - the Profile Design cages are excellent but my smallish Thermos is not properly held in place. The BikeBuddy will hold it securely but have that permanently attached to my fuel bottle.
The BikeBuddy Mk 3 seems to be the best choice for securely holding a fuel bottle. Initially the L-shaped bracket sent was too long and Robert at BikeBuddy replaced it free of charge with a Type B . Great service!
Picture shows the BikeBuddy in place holding a 1 litre bottle.
Replaced it for free! :o
He just emailed me he want £3 for replacements
>:(
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I had quite a bit of hassle getting a payment through via PayPal for some reason. I had to get PayPal involved with a few messages back and forward to them to sort the problem out. Robert said ...
"Will send a type 'B' end stop in the morning with our compliments. I think you've had enough hassle!"
:-\
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I had quite a bit of hassle getting a payment through via PayPal for some reason. I had to get PayPal involved with a few messages back and forward to them to sort the problem out. Robert said ...
"Will send a type 'B' end stop in the morning with our compliments. I think you've had enough hassle!"
:-\
They just got £3 out of me!
Nice piece of kit but I would have thought they would have thrown in the end bits for free.
9 out of 10 now instead of 10 out of 10
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Have ordered 3 of the Monkii cages and 5 extra sets of the attachments to fit on other bikes so will give an update on their operation once I fit them.
Nice company to deal with
Andy
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Have ordered 3 of the Monkii cages and 5 extra sets of the attachments to fit on other bikes so will give an update on their operation once I fit them.
Nice company to deal with
Andy
Wait till you need a couple of end bits!
They are probably £20 each.
Oh no, that was Bike Buddy.
::)
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I'm watching this thread with great interest, and will be interested to hear how Andy makes out with the Monkii cages in a variety of locations on his bike. Rual's experience is encouraging also.
I'm pondering one (at first, anyway) as an alternative to my Blackburn "Bomber" 1.5l bottle cages. I love the Blackburns, but it is increasingly more difficult to find bottles to fit them; 1.5l bottles are no longer standardized. Also, Gatorade and other sports drinks bottles come on a variety of larger sizes, so substituting a Monkii cage for one of the Blackburns makes a lot of sense if it proves to be secure on extremely rough roads.
The Monkii looks like a functionally equivalent, smaller version of Salsa's Anything cage, but without the recent reports of breakage that seem to affect the Salsa.
Hopefully! It is nice to have options.
Best,
Dan.
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substituting a Monkii cage for one of the Blackburns makes a lot of sense if it proves to be secure on extremely rough roads.
I'm sure it will prove to be excellent - nylon bottle cages are generally ecxeptionally tough.
Trouble is they don't seem to have any real outlets happening - certainly nothing locally for me - and the ebay link only ships to UK. No on-line sales either :( All adds up to a 'no-deal', not a winning way to do business :-\
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The company is a very new start up and even they admit they have not got it right yet. Their preffered method of business at the moment seems to be - give them a call and pay by card. Not sure about postage but give Miles (Yep thats the guys name) a call and I am sure he will try and help out. Failing that I can look into postage for you and send one on.
I should get them begining of April (shipment coming from UK) and will carry out some "extreme" testing and report back.
Andy
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Their website gives a bit more information about them http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/
And their Pinterest page is interesting for the many cycling related images http://pinterest.com/Cyclemiles/
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Have been speaking with Miles this morning about sales and shipment of cages to Europe, the States and the rest of the world. He says he can and does do this. Shipment for a first item to Europe would be around 5ukp and to the states would be 5.75ukp with an extra 1.25ukp per item. He has now updated his ebay listing to cover most countries and any ommissions just call him at the shop and he will sort.
Andy
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I've switched to the plastic cages offered by Kleen Kanteen to fit their stainless bottles (which I also use). The cages are light & well made, with very little friction on reinsertion-while-riding. I've found that they also work well with rigid & semi-rigid plastic bottles. Only downside would seem to be that they handle a limited range of sizes -- my bottles are about 700 ml.
Current behaviour by the weather gods, mean sods that they are, makes this is a discussion for the future: we have our mid-March snowstorm today, although the temp is a bit higher than yesterday's -8 and the NW wind has eased and shifted. I was out on my city bike yesterday for a few errands, first time since early December, and that was enjoyable--cold, but the roads were clear & dry. Forecast is for -17 on the weekend, but happily, it won't be my problem...
J.
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I fancy having a bottle in front of me ;)
Anyone used a Topeak water bottle mount on their T bar?
Here is one on UK ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Topeak-Water-Bottle-Cage-Mount-Mounting-Bracket-Clamp-Handlebar-Seatpost-22-38mm-/360587633170?_trk
I envisage the bottle carrier on the right side of the T bar and my Cateye Adventure on the left.
Matt
There are complete units for attaching the bottle carrier to the handle bars but I have spare carriers already.
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I'm thinking of doing the same thing with one of these for hands free drinking without a hydration pack on my back
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-performance-bottle-650ml-hands-free/
Ewan
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Matt, Ewan,
I took a little different route, placing bottle cages on my steerer:
On Nomad: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.0
On Sherpa: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3896.0
The bottles are handy and have so far proven completely neutral in their effect on handling (nothing changed for either bike whether the bottles were full, empty, or absent). I use 1l Zefal Magnums and have been very pleased with them. They don't leak of one screws the lid on tightly, they have no "taste", are BPH-free, and hold a lot more than the usual .5 or .75l bottles, yet fit standard cages (I used CatEye flexible nylon cages).
You could do the same with a clamp-on cage mount affixed to your handlebars instead of the steerer, thought weight will have more effect on handling the farther it gets from the steering axis.
I'm in-process of replacing the nozzle on one bottle with a short length of aquarium tubing to use as a straw (and another even shorter length to use as a vent. The bottles are close enough so all I'd have to do it dip my head and get a sip when needed -- like one of those old "drinking bird" science demonstrators: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk71GY02diY ...and... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_bird Of course, the Camelback "straw bottle" Ewan linked will get you there without all the DIY work!
Best,
Dan.
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Matt, Ewan,
I took a little different route, placing bottle cages on my steerer:
On Nomad: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4523.0
On Sherpa: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3896.0
thanks Dan but your threads for your nomad and sherpa have so many pages I can't find the bit on mounting the bottle cages on the steear
Ewan
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thanks Dan but your threads for your nomad and sherpa have so many pages I can't find the bit on mounting the bottle cages on the steear
Ewan
4th & 5th pictures for Sherpa are good
That's some flight deck you are carrying Dan.
Is there a rocket boost button somewhere?
:D
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Hi Ewan!
Sherpa-mounted bottle/cage pics here (bottom of the first text entry): http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3896.msg17095#msg17095
Direct photo link to profile view here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3896.0;attach=1363
Nomad with me in full tuck here (old handlebars): http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3896.0;attach=1363 Bottles are still reasonably close enough for a straw when riding on the brake hoods, especially with the newer compact handlebars instead of the original anatomic-bends.
Detailed Nomad photo here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4523.0;attach=3251
...and here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4523.0;attach=3821
Profile views): http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4523.0;attach=3841
...and... http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4523.0;attach=4051
I use two flexible CatEye BC-100 nylon bottle cages: http://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/BC-100/
To prevent them "clocking" (rotating) around the steerer, I insert a couple of vinyl grommets between the cage and steerer spacers, then cross-match my zip-ties as shown in the attached photo below. My 590M Nomad frame is long enough in the top tube so my knees clear the bottles and cage when standing. Yes, I can make them hit if I bow my knees in or "honk" the bike a lot side-to-side when standing out of the saddle, but I usually pedal straight if I'm standing. Seated clearance is no problem, of course.
At present, I prefer zip ties to holes drilled-and tapped into the spacers. Cross-matched as shown below and with something to add a bit of friction between cage and spacers, they are really secure.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Dan.
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Very nice useful thread ... keep the details coming! This is an area of cyclingdom that I'm interested in very much. I have the sjsc maxi adjustable bottle cages which work well enough for me ... but I just know that the poorly designed retainer elastic will go at the worst possible moment. How it survived intact on our trip is beyond me ... but it must be that there will be an area of desert I will need to cross in the future ... and the strap is waiting for that day to break! :D So I need a better way for large bottles. The biggest challenge we faced this summer was finding steady supplies of water. We were always running out despite carrying a total of 5.25 litters.
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A couple of pictures of the Monkii cages on the bike and with the bottle removed which gives cleaner lines and makes washing so much easier. Am very inpressed with these cages and will write a review when I get the chance.
Andy
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To clarify: the monkii cages hold 1.5l bottles? Anyone try them with their clips http://www.freeparable.com/monkiiclip to attach somewhere without bolt holes? Anyone considered their tool bags: http://www.freeparable.com/monkiiwedge ?