Can you drill new holes to mount water bottle cage ?

Ezy Rider

On my bike, both sets of hex bolts that mount the cage can be turned, but they are neither loosening nor tightening. Is it possible to re-drill new holes so as I can re-mount both cages and is it a costly job ?

Both cages are not attached to the bike .

pedalrog

Is it the bolts that are stripped or the frame?
If it's the bolts, just put new ones in. If it's the frame, you could tap the hole with a bigger thread, then likewise use bigger bolts. Don't drill new holes though!

tim_wand

You can get the existing bolts drilled out and the bottle mount threads Helicoiled (Steel thread inserted) or tapped out to 5mm instead of 4mm.

You cant and dont put new holes in the down tube or seat tube.

SJS and other companies (Zefal I think) do ratchet mounted lugs which act like the braze ons for a water bottle mount and will attatch to a tube. If you cant shift the old bolts,

Ezy Rider

the bolts just turn in the hole and i cant get them out, at a guess, id say the stripping is done at the frame and im sure i overtightened the bolts. what should I do ?

sloppyschleckonds

Just use a Camelbak

Ezy Rider

id rather be able to mount 2 drinks bottles to the frame

Ezy Rider

id rather be able to mount 2 drinks bottles to the frame

sloppyschleckonds

lemoncurd

There are loads of other options, here's one:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/zefal/cage-gizmo-ec020495?utm_source=awin&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=awin&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=awin&promo=Content

And an article on other ways of fitting bottles to cages without bosses:

http://recklesscognition.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/methods-for-attaching-water-bottle-cages-without-screws-and-bosses/

merak

tim wand wrote:

You can get the existing bolts drilled out and the bottle mount threads Helicoiled (Steel thread inserted) or tapped out to 5mm instead of 4mm.

You cant and dont put new holes in the down tube or seat tube.
,

+1. This is a perfect answer. But it's a job for a frame builder, or at least a competent and sympathetic machine shop. Google UK frame builders. Whatever you do, don't drill additional holes in your seat and down tubes.

Ezy Rider

any guesses as to what it could cost ?

merak

Ezy Rider wrote:

any guesses as to what it could cost ?

Nah - you'll have to call them - but it's not a huge job.

rothers_bikeo

Is this an aluminium frame with rivnuts ?

Ezy Rider

its aluminium and ive no idea what rivnuts are, its a trek 1.1 bike that ive modified with a compact and new wheelset.

Monty Dog

Some bike shops might have the kit to install new riv-nuts or try a sheet-metal specialists. The old ones need to be drilled-out and then new ones fitted - straightforward job with the right tools and knowledge. Price-wise, I'd expect it would be about £20.

MattC59

Try Demon Tweeks or http://www.nfauto.co.uk/cbs_products_new.htm for Rivnuts.

However, first you need to get the bolt out, and this might reveal that it' sthe bolt that's knackered so you don't need to spend much money. You need to be able to turn the bolt, whilst pulling on it, so get an old allen key and Araldite it into the head of the bolt. Let it dry properly and you will then be able to pull on the bolt whilst turning it. Any of hte remaining thread will then engage, so that it comes out.