More Water Bottles
Ever needed to get more water bottles on your bike, but didn't have the cage mounting holes in your frame? All you need is the extra cages, some electrical tape, radiator hose clamps (from a car) and some imagination. In the image below, the bike frame only had two cage mountings. In these mountings I fitted two oversize cages. These hold 1.5 litre soft drink bottles.
I then worked out where the cage mounting place should be for the third bottle that is present on some touring frames. I marked where the holes should be, then wrapped several layers of electrical tape around the frame. I then used the radiator clamps to hold the cage on. I also added another two cages further up on each side by using two more hose clamps.
View of extra water bottles fitted.
View of extra water bottles fitted.
I was also able to purchase a dual cage holder that mounted to the seat post. This gave me another two cages behind the seat. In the picture, the two oversized cages are holding 1.5 litre softdrink bottles, giving a total of 3 litres. Each of the alloy bottles are standard 750 ml bottles. There are five of them, giving a total of 3750 ml.
I also fitted a second 2 litre bladder into my hydro back pack. This gave me 4 litres on my back. There is a total capacity of 6 litres and 750 ml on the bike frame. All up this gives me 10 litres and 750 ml. I also have 2 over sized cages mounted to the cage mountings on the rear of the BOB trailer, with another 3 litres. Coupled with a 750 ml steel thermos flask that I carry in a pannier, I have a total of 14.5 litres of liquid carrying capacity.
That's enough for a hot day in the sun, and a bush camp at night, without seeing any signs of civilization or water. I could fit 1 litre bottles where the standard 750 ml bottles are at present. This would give me 5 litres, plus 3 litres in the oversized cages on the bikes, another 3 in the oversized cages on the trailer, and 4 litres in my backpack, plus the 750 ml flask. A total of 15 litres and 750 ml. I usually drink from the back pack first, to get the weight off of my back, then start at the highest bottles on the bike. The aim is to keep the weight as close to the ground as possible.
