terrafirma

Been looking around for one of these since seeing one on SteelBikeGuy's '74 Raleigh International.

These are lonnnng since out of production, of course, and go for big money on eBay. Does anyone know of a classy, modern reproduction for $100 or under?

Credit: SteelBikeGuy

PilotFishBob 

A few years ago Electra made a clone, the Ticino, with the differences being it was stainless steel and the mount put the cage out about 1cm further from the bars. Those have popped up rarely on the 'bay for around $30 but I haven't seen them in awhile, nor any other clones anywhere. I've snagged two of the TA's for between $65 - $85. It took a lot of watching and patience though, otherwise they do tend to have much higher prices.

steelbikeguy

The market for these cages must be greater than I thought!
I've got three of them, the newest of them was purchased 20 years ago (still with the paper tag on it!). The oldest was bought in the mid 70's. I still love them for my vintage bikes that don't have seat tube bottle mounts.

I wonder if Nitto could be sweet-talked into making a modern version?
Alternately, how hard could it be to bend up some stainless wire, get some stainless brackets made, and braze it all together? (yeah, the phrase "how hard can it be?" precedes a lot of my headaches).

I will say that one factor making these cages less attractive is the relative scarcity of "small" (i.e. normal) water bottles. I've got a modest stash, but they aren't as common as they used to be.

Steve in Peoria

repechage

Minoura made a bracket to mount a downtube cage infront of the stem, I have not seen them in a while unfortunately.

Piff 

This looks kinda cool. The "l'eroica" on the front is a bit of an eye-roll. If It wasn't 3 times as expensive as the minoura bh60 I'd probably buy it (I already wasted over $20 on a handlebar mount that didn't work out...gotta go cheap now).

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/elite-e...196&country=us

edit: Also available on amazon. The reviews are disappointing, seems the quality doesn't match the price. https://www.amazon.com/Elite-0156002.../dp/B018804A8G

Bianchi84

Blackburn made the BB-1 handlebar cage that was easily removable and a very simple design. I used to use one but I think I lost it in a move.

terrafirma

Thanks. This model comes up in searches for the TA unit. Unfortunately, to my eye, this model is neither classy or elegant, looking more like an erector set.

cudak888 

I'm not that keen about the hardware-store look of the Minoura adapter, but when a Velo-Orange Retro Cage (w/no tab) is mounted to it, it does the job with a fairly passable look. Plus, it doesn't place the cage higher than the handlebars:



Ironically, this modern aluminum adapter might be more discreet. At least it's not as offensive as the Bontrager adapters: https://www.amazon.com/Gub-Adjustabl.../dp/B07PPQNY3H

-Kurt

steve sumner

maybe Silca could make a Ti version

3alarmer 

non-fixie 

I always seem to end up at Tre Emme for stuff like this. I have bought these from them in the past, at €25 and €45 respectively:

philbob57

Nowhere near as classy as the TA water bottle cage, but less obtrusive and a lot more clever than most supplementary mounts is: https://www.topeak.com/us/en/product.../332-cagemount.

SuperLJ

Velo Orange makes a mount. Not retro, but unobtrusive and works well. Use any cage you’d like. Only $7.50.

RiddleOfSteel

Dang, guys, I'm gettin' to it!

/kidding as no one knows I'm glacially working on a solution for this. My bottle cage boss-less '74 Paramount needs something more than a time trial-style seat post-mounted setup. It's slick and unobtrusive, but immensely anachronistic in aesthetic.

I've had this idea for a while, though in fits and starts, but more so very recently--no idea how small or large the potential market is, though I think it's a bit on the smaller side. Still....I don't like the l'Eroica erector set cage/holder combo and I also don't like the "just stuff it on there!" look of nearly everything else. The bottle is always jacked up into the air and I think it looks horrible. And probably messes with the steering feel a bit as there is this heavy object that also catches the wind. My design at present looks to keep the bottle and cage mount plenty low. The old TdF photos with the bottles up front look just so cool. Our modern bottles may be larger, but I think I can make it work.

Cougrrcj

I had an Ale handlebar cage that I had bought waaaaay back in the '70s for my Fuji that was similar - but had a spring-loaded bail to hold the bottle a bit tighter. Here's a pic (but I had misplaced the soft aluminum handlebar and stem clamps...) I gave/sold it to a fellow BF.net forumite in FL a few years ago...

obrentharris 

Thank You!
Brent

zukahn1 

I know Specialized offered a similar easy clamp on bottle cage in the 80's would like one myself not an answer but a a direction to look. Good Luck with your search let use know if you find somethings likely several other here are l;ooking.

3alarmer 

...those have been out of stock there and on Amazon for while now. Not sure if they still make them.

zukahn1 

Yes one can buy a semi bulky universal clamp having used one there not elegant and kinda suck the universal clamp for all bars really only works with a 26.0

Salamandrine 

If you're the type to make stuff, it'd be pretty easy to cut out a T bracket from some aluminum sheet, make a couple of aluminum band clamps, and bolt on a VO retro cage. Those are a copy of another TA cage. Can't remember the model number. That would get you the retro look. Or, if you don't want to cut, use a couple strips for the T, and pop rivet it together.

Or take the easy way out and use a Minoura handlebar bottle bracket.

SuperLJ

Well no, they’re not universal, being specifically designed to use with 25.4mm - 1” handlebars. Can be easily modified to work with 26.0 though. I’ve had one on my loaded tourer for years now, and it does the job fine.

Choke 

I think the Minoura mount works quite well. It may not be elegant in appearance but with the bottle inserted you don't see it anyway. It also keeps the bottle lower than many others.

dddd

THAT looks pretty good to me!!!

How 'bouts a side-view of that rig?

Please?

rjhammett

I made this bottle cage from a Cateye reflector bracket. I had purchased a Minoura bottle holder adapter like one posted above. It looked too clunky for me so I removed it and built one.

Choke 

Here you go https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...1986-losa.html

I don't really have any good shots of it since I added the Minoura.