not resolvedOr bidon if you prefer ;)
I'm starting to do some longer rides in the better weather on my road bike. Currently have 2 bottle cages, one on downtube holds a 710ml Camelbak Podium which I'd like to keep there for it's excellent valve, seat tube cage holds 750ml bottle of energy drink though I'm going to up that to a 1L bottle for some extra capacity. This is ok right now up to about 60 miles but I'm eyeing up a century at some point and the weather should theoretically be improving further so I need some more capacity. I suppose if I'm desperate I could resort to buying water while out, though I prefer to be self-sufficient and not have to faff about with locking the bike up etc.
There's these mounts for seatposts or handlebars. The 3rd bottle does not have to be easily accessed (will be a refill for the other one basically) but will need to be quite secure - I'm picturing coming down a country lane at 30mph, then hitting a bump and having the captive bottle go flying off into the wild blue yonder never to be seen again, or alternately hitting someone.
Couple of problems:
With a saddlebag, the back of the seatpost is not an option, and the front of the seatpost will be tight and also a bit of an awkward and strange place to have a bottle - I'll have to go measure out if it'll fit.
Handlebars are pretty narrow and have precious little space for it, plus again it's not a great place for a full bottle. May be doable with some rearrangement of cycle computer and light mount.
Other options - underneath downtube is out due to gear cables and not enough clearance anyway. Slung under top tube might also work but interfere with access to other 2 bottles.
Has anyone had any luck getting say a sturdy metal bottle and strapping it with some padding to one of the frame tubes? Crude but likely the most out of the way option.
Might also be able to persuade a few smaller bottles into spare space in jersey pockets, but this will be a struggle, although still better than the 3L camelbak that's sitting across from me while I'm typing this.
One last thought - I picked up a rack pack for the top of the rack on another bike, it occurs to me I could get one of these things as a replacement for the saddlebag, that would provide ample room. I've never quite got on with jersey pockets and a saddlebag to be honest, I'm more the everything-shoved-into-pannier school of thought. Probably look really odd on the back of a road bike but hey it's behind me and quite aero I suppose.
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