Bikes come in all shapes and sizes, and with so many disciplines, you sometimes have to get creative with your kit. Many bikes, such as fixed gear bikes, track bikes, and even some city commuting bikes, don’t come with water bottle holders or even mounts. This is very common with some brands and actually can make cycling longer distances challenging.
So, what is the solution if you have no water bottle holders? Well, there are actually loads of different options you can use to mount a water bottle on your bike. In this article, we’ll tell you some excellent solutions designed for bikes without any water bottle holes or if you just want to add more water bottles to your bike for those longer rides.
Bottle Straps
The first and one of the easiest solutions is to use a set of bottle cage straps. These are small strap mounts that allow you to attach a water bottle practically anywhere on your frame. They are less than $20 and very easy to attach. They come with bottle cages and what’s great about these is you can mount the cage bottle to work as a side pull from left or right or a straight pull up.
There are a couple of drawbacks. Firstly the bottle can move easily if knocked unless the strap is very tight. Secondly, you are going to want to put some insulation tape under the strap to ensure it doesn’t mark your frame.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to Fit
- It can be used as a side pull
Cons
- Not the most stable
- Need to protect the frame
Clip on Bottle Holder
Another great solution is to use a clip on bottle holder. What’s excellent about these is they can mount to a few places, such as your handlebars and seat post. They will attach to some frames, but you will need to have rounded tubing. What we love about these compared to the straps is they are much more secure and come with a very solid bottle cage too. Another great feature is you can change the angle of how the bottle cage sits, making it very adaptable.
There are a few drawbacks to these. Firstly, you are limited to mounting it on the frame as you need round tubing. Secondly, you don’t get any options to make them side pull. Lastly, they are a bit heavier than other options on this list.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to Fit
- Stay on very strong
- Ideal for handlebars and seat post
- Ideal as you can change the angle of the cage
Cons
- Might struggle to mount to some frames
- Bulky looking
Feed and Bottle Pouch
Feed and bottle pouches are commonly used by many cyclists who are fond of long rides. They are excellent for not only carrying bottles but also carrying food and even your goods such as keys or your phone. They attach to your handlebars and stem and sit in front of you for easy access at all times.
Feed and drink pouches are an excellent tool. The only thing that might annoy you is if you do a lot of climbing, they can scrape your knees a bit, and if you do some very rough off roading, things can bounce out.
Pros
- Easy to Fit
- Can carry lots of goods
- Ideal for handlebars
- Easy access
Cons
- You can only go on handlebars
- Can hit your knees when climbing
- Things can fall out on rough terrain
Bottle Mount Straps
Another great solution to adding bottle cage mounts is to use a bottle cage strap. These rubber strips let you mount a bottle cage on your bike frame regardless of whether you have mounted it. They are very easy to use and can be switched between bikes. We love the fact they are easy on the frame and won’t scratch it. They hold the cage very securely, and you will have no worries about it moving.
This is probably the best solution on the list as they just work pretty much everywhere. The only thing they can’t do compared to some of the others on this list is you can’t change the angle of how the bottle cage sits, apart from the fact that we love them.
Pros
- Great for any shape frame
- Looks tidy
- Lots of mounting options
- Price is incredible
Cons
- Can’t change the angle
How Important is Hydration?
If you’re out riding your bike and you are thirsty, you’re already too late. Keeping well hydrated when cycling is very important. Not only does it help the transferring of blood, the disposal of toxins, and the digestion track working smoothly, it’s vital for keeping a good train of thought and having full concentration.
Cyclists should drink between 500ml – 750ml of water per hour to stay hydrated in cool conditions. You will also need to ensure the correct electrolytes so that levels of sodium, potassium, and other vital minerals stay at an appropriate level.
Conclusion
These solutions are an excellent way to get a bottle cage mounted on your bike, and each one we highly recommend. The best out of all of them, in our opinion, is the Bottle Mount Straps. They work excellently and are very adaptable on any bike. Keep riding and stay hydrated.
