The mystery of the damaged down tubes

[Zaskar]

Jules / Epoh, you guys need to get hold of the Serfas carbon cages. I had the same problem on my old alu Scott, and then found these cages which have two lips for holding the weight of the bottle.

 

 

I have also never lost a single bottle either from these cages, (unlike my old Elite carbon cages) as they hold the bottles very securely. I even use them on my mountain bike, and after many races inc. Sani2C i have yet to loose a bottle. And the best bit is that they weigh next to nothing, around 15grams each if I remember correclty. Picked them up for R199 a piece at Solomans.  

 

(I also use small washers between the frame and the cage, which you can see in the pic, to stop the cages from scuffing the carbon downtube when carrying full bottles)

 

[Jules]

Thanks Zaskar. I'm not in the mood for spending R400 on bottle cages, but I will consider your suggestion for the next time I'm feeling rich.

 

 

 

I have a pair of these on my Colnago, which I will transfer to my Scott asap. As you can see from the design it is impossible for the bottle to fall down. http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/275-og.jpg

[Spinnekop]

The Damage on the Downtube is caused by the waterbottle slipping through the Cage on the Seat Stay - Guaranteed!!!!!

And those Specialized Waterbottle Cages are the most common culprits

They are nice and stiff initially' date=' but the rubber piece holding them together gives after a couple of weeks in the sun, and allows the bottles to slip past.

 

[/quote']

 

 

Yup......Exactly the same with my old frame.  Same cages, same mark.

Rubber goes bust and the seat stay bottle does the damage.

 

I will NEVER use anything Spesialized ever again.  That was bad enough....

 

 

 

[Jules]

Was it a carbon frame, spidey? Was it badly damaged? What did you do?

[GoLefty!!]

Fit Elite bottle cages.

By far the best.

 

Or if you can find some in the bottom drawer of a larny shop, TA Specialities bottle cages. HAd mine for 8 years. Will never get rid of them.

[vanniri]

Jaaaa. I warned you okes but you don't listen. You ask the wrong questions when choosing bike components. Don't ask "how much does it weigh?" but rather ask "how strong is it?".

 

Jules' date=' I don't think that little spot is the end of the world. Touch it up with some clear lacquer or nail polish or, cover it with tape and be done with it.

 

What the hell is helicopter tape? I am sure I need some, soon as I can figure out what it is.

 

 

[/quote']

 

 

Helicopter tape is a Poyurethane protcetive tape with an Acrylic adhesive backing. Comes in various thicknesses and its used to protect the lading edge of helicopter blades and truboprop propellorsoperatingin desert conditions.

 

I use it all over my bikes where there is cable housing rub or shoe rub or any other possibilty of scuffing.

 

Its the same stuff they custom cut and fit to cars to protect teh paintwork.

 

Its not cheap at around R350 per metre for 100m wide strip.

 

Can purcahse from 3M or online from www.justridingalong.co.uk

 

 

It is cheap, unless it should read ... per metre for 100mm wide ...

[Bike Mob]

the rub is caused by the bottle in the rear cage... not the front one falling through. it rattles away from the cage especially when full and rests on the down tube.

[RodTi]

My bottle slips through the bottom of my less than secure carbon cage' date=' particularly when full and on bumpy roads. It rubs on the down tube in a very similar spot as your picture. Fortunately my frame is Ti so no damage.[/quote']

 

 

 

So you've a Ti frame but your're called CarbonBoy?

 

 

[Barend de Arend]

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I made some.

 

 

 

(I know the bottle cage is loose -- I put it on for the photo only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barend de Arend]

Jaaaa. I warned you okes but you don't listen. You ask the wrong questions when choosing bike components. Don't ask "how much does it weigh?" but rather ask "how strong is it?".

 

 

 

 

When you buy a bottle cage, you also think: "What's the worst that could happen?" The answer is usually: you lose (yet another) a water bottle. It doesn't enter your mind that it might break the frame.

 

 

 

 

(I went through this two years ago.)

[NotSoBigBen]

Thanks Barend! QED.

 

I just wonder, since I have been riding that bike for nearly 3 years with no problem, if the fact that I only used half of the bottle on the 'front' tube so to speak may have been a contributing factor? i.e. a full bottle in that cage the whole 103 clicks.

[toneljhb]

The touch up on the carbon frame can be done by either Andy Mac of Macarbi Racing at Wemmer Pan (see thread below)

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=66642&PN=1

 

He did the most amazing job on my Giant frame.

 

Cycle Art also do carbon repairs especially if they are with "paint work" fixes. Contact them on email: 0715344646@vodamail.co.za

 

Both will be able to see if the damage affects the structure or is just "cosmetic".

[Barend de Arend]

Thanks Barend! QED.

 

?

 

I just wonder' date=' since I have been riding that bike for nearly 3 years with no problem, if the fact that I only used half of the bottle on the 'front'?tube so to speak may have been a contributing factor? i.e. a full bottle in that cage the whole 103 clicks.

[/quote']

 

 

 

Weight of the bottle makes a difference, for sure. I normally ride 500ml bottles (frame too small to comfortably fit 750s) and 500s don't cause a problem, but 750s do.

 

 

 

Potholes cause a problem, especially large potholes taken too fast. So do some rumble strips.

 

 

 

It's also not a problem if you see it, and put the bottle back (ie. before it rubs too much.)

 

 

 

And it's more likely a problem in a race situation where you take a quick sip and jam the bottle back in the cage in a hurry.

 

 

 

It's still a bad design. I still wouldn't buy another cage like it, and I don't use them anymore.

[Cassie]

Guys guys guys....

 

The solution is very simple.....use a hydration pack!!

 

*getting jacket - open door - leave*

 

 

[Jules]

The touch up on the carbon frame can be done by either Andy Mac of Macarbi Racing at Wemmer Pan (see thread below)

 

?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=66642&PN=1

 

?

 

He did the most amazing job on my Giant frame.

 

?

 

Cycle Art also do carbon repairs especially if they are with "paint work" fixes. Contact them on email: 0715344646@vodamail.co.za

 

?

 

Both will be able to see if the damage affects the structure or is just "cosmetic".

 

 

 

Taking my bike to Andy on Monday

[mallo]

Spinnekop now I know why you sold me your cages