Seat Mount Bottle Holder & Seat Pack - Work Together? | Road Beginners | Road | Forums - BikeRadar

DubaiNeil · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 7:40 am

Due to the weather conditions I enjoy, I really want to be able to carry a third drink bottle on the bike for longer rides. I currently have two frame mounted bottle cages, so have been looking at the various seat mounted bottle holders such as http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tacx_Saddle_Clamp_Bottle_Cage_Mount/5360016510/

Does anyone know if these can be used along with a seat mounted pack?

I still need to carry the necessary in case the p*nct*re fairy pays a visit while I am in the middle of a desolate, sandy, wasteland, and would rather not carry this on my body...

Unfortunately on the quieter routes I prefer, due to the psychotic car drivers here, there is a distinct lack of shops or petrol stations for me to replenish fluids at.

I already have a Camelbak, but would prefer not to use this for road riding...

Thanks

Neil

Garz · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 7:52 am

I think you probably could, but as I have not tried maybe someone will post who has or has tried it.

willbevan · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 9:03 am

I have tried and it really depends on how far forward or back you have your sadle.

For me my saddle is pretty much all the way forward and I can get the tacx bottle mount on, but then strapping a pack as well underneath especially one with a quick release mount is a bit of an impossiblity for me, but if you have plenty of saddle rail behind the sead post dont think you should have a problem

Cheers

Will

Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
MTB - Trek Fuel 80
TT - Echelon

http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/

DubaiNeil · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 12:02 pm

cougie · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 11:50 pm

I have an aquarack - mounts to the seat tube and theres two cages on it. Leaves the undersaddle free for packs.

Geoff_SS · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 12:34 am

You could mount a third bottle in front of the downtube behind the front wheel if you can get some frame clips to suit. I used to carry a Sig bottle with meths for my stove in that position when cycle camping. It's inaccessible when riding, of course, but it's not so bad having to stop to swap bottles is it?

Geoff

Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster

DubaiNeil · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 5:25 am

Thanks for the suggestions. I may try to mount a spare bottle holder to the downtube as suggested by Geoff_SS to see how well it may work. Zip ties at the ready!

I'll also try and secure the bottle somehow, as if it drops out I would suddenly hit a speed bump with the back wheel only!

Stopping to replenish is no issue, always glad of a break!

If I don't get on with Geoff's suggestion then the aquarack looks like the way forward, just a shame (for me) that they don't do a single bottle version...

Thanks for your help

Neil

ex-pat scot · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 6:57 am

You can get large 1litre bottles.
My Cannondale has a 3rd cage like Geoff says- under the BB (almost) and it works fine.

I'm not sure about the aero seatpost cage options. My TT bike has a seatpost mount bottle and I've lost a couple of bottles as they've bounced out.

2007 Langster - getting lighter
2003 Trek 5900 - 7 speed Record
1995 Trek 5500 - TT special
1988 Cannondale T600 tourer
1985 Raleigh Comp - winter
1992 Pace RC200 - perfection
Dawes Kickback Two tandem.
Brompton S2-LX

cougie · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 11:45 am

I've only lost 1 bottle out of the back of that - that was in Ironman Gernany where they have a cobbled descent. Everyone else was pussyfooting it down there (triathletes - pah) and I blasted it. It was very bumpy though - so not too surprised that it jumped off.

Never had a problem on normal roads.

Escargot · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 11:50 am

You can buy a Bontrager rear saddle cage for about £20. It's possible to remove both cages and then refit one to the centre of the bracket.

Jackson Priest · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 1:32 pm

I've got one of those Tacx bottle mount thingies - you can actually put 2 bottle cages on it.

I can't fit a saddle bag on at the same time, so got a storage bottle - http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1009 - to put tubes etc in, and use that instead. Hey presto, problem solved!

It's quite nifty, but the only thing to remember is you need to tighten it really very tight indeed, as the angle on the mount has a tendency to slip down once you've got your bottles in.

Dunedin397 · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 2:00 pm

I think it'll be difficult to have a seat pack as well as that holder. Profile Design's Aqua Rack may be a better bet as it goes on the seat post, so you could have it lower down.

I tried Profile Design's RM1 mount, similar to the Aqua Rack but attaches to the saddle rails, but the bottles were launched from it way too easily. This may be more to do with the cages themselves though, which are their own Kage design. It was recommened to me to change the cages and use 500ml bottles.

(I'm sure the Aqua Rack and RM1 have had a name change recently. Previously I thought they were called Aquay Rack 1 and Aqua Rack 2, or something similar!)

I then changed to a Bontrager Race Lite Rear Cage Holder. It has 2 cages (I can't remember if they can be changed) which hold the bottle in 2 places and there's a lip at the top stopping the bottles from getting out. It's performed really well even over rough ground, but I've yet to use it off road. There are also mounts for 2 CO2 cartridges and an inflator. I believe it's also cheaper than the Profile Design rear mounts.

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/bonti_rr_cage_holder.html

There's also the Bontrager Race X Lite Rear Cage holder, but it's very expensive and doesn't come with cages!

I also found this, It allows you to fit the seat pack via the seat post, freeing up the saddle for a rear rack.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/seat-pack-cage-fixer-ec005629

With the Bontrager rear rack I've 4 bottle cages, but what I do is use the seat tube cage to hold a Pro Storage Bottle (does what it says on the tin) instead of a seat pack. There are 2 sizes, small and large with the large version holding a tube, CO2 cartriges and head, multitool, etc. That leaves you with capacity for 3 bottles.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/4783/Pro-Storage-Bottle.html

Let us know how you get on with whatever solution you choose?

Dunedin

MattC59 · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 2:22 pm

This is what you want......... once it's in the shops.
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/unique-new-drink-system-from-veleau-23901

I use the small basic camelbak and a small seat pack for tubes etc, it holds 1.5L of water and does me fine. Not sure why more roadies don't use them to be honest, it's far easier than fannying around with a couple of bottles........
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31784

I use a larger Camelbak when I'm on my MTB.

Cheers......... M

When I am grown-up I will understand how BEAUTIFUL it feels to administrate my life effectively. Until then I will continue to TORCH all correspondence that bores me and to DANCE NAKED over the remnants of its still glowing embers.

DubaiNeil · **Posted** Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:38 am

Mmmm, choices, choices, choices Smile

Thanks for the responses, not sure if I am narrowing down or widening the choices so far Wink

@ MattC59 - I have used a Camelbak for the last 15 years for both MTB and desert motorcycling, so am familiar with them (and own them!). I really can't get on with it on the road bike however, the weight doesn't "sit" right for me and I find it annoying & uncomfortable. They are however excellent at keeping the liquid cold enough though (at least with my original Classic version)

@ ex-pat scot - I have unfortunately invested unreasonable amounts of money in insulated bottles, as drinking 38C (or higher) water/sports drink is not a pleasant experience Sad

These limit the carrying capacity per bottle to 500ml, hence the need/desire for a third bottle. Even with the insulated bottles which are pre-chilled and ice cubes as part of the water, the drinks are getting unpalatable after three hours or so - and this is in "winter"...

I had a look at the clearances on the bike last night (Scott S10) and there doesn't appear to be space between the front wheel and the underside of the downtube to mount a bottle & cage, without the bottom of the bottle being a lot lower than the bottom bracket. Not so sure that this would be such a good idea, and the bottle would be directly inline with the road carp thrown up by the front wheel.

Bontrager Race Lite solution appears to be the way forward for now (with a dummy bottle for tools & tube etc), all I now need is a supplier who will ship internationally, as Pedal On don't seem to want my money Wink

The Race X Lite seems incredibly expensive, I'd probably save the same weight by trimming my finger nails before a ride!

Personally I find the published picture of the Race X Lite hilarious. If I rode with that I would be tempted to use the CO2 as a four stage booster system for the hills Laughing

http://www.trigearreview.com/images/art/rearbottleholder.jpg

Thanks for the help so far

Neil

Rich Hcp · **Posted** Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:29 am

I have a Camelbak Slipstream.

It's a low profile pack, deigned for road riding.

It sits high enough up your back to get to the pockets in your top.

It's fine on a drop bar bike

There's also the "Wearable" Hydration, which is a jersey with an intergral hydration pack

Richard

Best thing I ever bought for a bike?
Padded shorts![ Very Happy

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