Originally Posted by
chain_whipped
Nice effort by the OP. There's many handlebar bottle mounts on the market priced under $10 to a high of $20.
Here's a DIY simple mount I've done that saves handlebar space and prevents marring. You can bolt any standard 2 hole cage to it.
The stainless bracket is removed from a Minoura quick mount handlebar type. The original stem clamp bolt is replaced with a longer shank bolt. An aluminum spacer is placed in the stem recess.
Really nice, efficient solution!
Yeah, the market is well-populated with solutions. Some look better than others, and all have the benefit of mass production behind them and the resulting economies of scale. Those are likely just fine for many people, just like low- to mid-tier bikes are. Why buy a P15-9 Paramount when a Le Tour is largely the same bike (geometry, form, etc)? Oh right, because it's a better/higher quality or potentially more enjoyable two-wheeled solution to the transportation need. My design intent is the same refrain: "It's like these other available solutions, but better."