Frame drilling & lug nuts for bottle cage

[ThePowster]

Morning folks.

Ok so my Raleigh Banana comes with just one bottle cage. I really need a second because I love riding the thing so much and I only get an hour's ride before I'm outta water so I'm limited and want to be able to ride further.

From what I can gather so far I need these lugnuts or something and I need to drill the frame.

I have seen other methods where you bolt something to the frame but I want a tidy install and don't want to cover the Raleigh decal with additional clamps n so forth.

Is this easy enough to do? And does anyone know what parts and size lugnuts I am going to need to undertake this job.

Thanks in advance

 

[roadking]

Tacx make a device that clamps onto the saddle rails that you can fix a cage to...otherwise much of what you want to do makes little sense - how do you suppose you are going to (a) drill the holes, and (b) fix the tapped bosses to the frame ?

Try hydrating before you leave home.

Rk.

 

[Woz]

You could drill and use Rivnuts, but it will be awkward.

The simple solution is something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XLC-BC-A07-B ... :rk:7f:0

....good excuse to stop for a drink.

 

[mattr]

Drill and rivnuts is actually pretty straightforward if you a) aren't working with superlight tubing b) can actually use a drill and c) aren't working on a very small frame.

20 years ago you'd have just gone to your nearest decent bike shop.

Now, you'll have to ring around and see who has the parts/tools/expertise.
Or, buy/borrow the bits and DIY.

Or use some nice band ons. Stainless, CNCed ally or plastic.

 

[ThePowster]

Re:

Cheers guys appreciate the input.

 

[FiveAlpha]

I did this not long ago, on a cheap steel frame, like yours. It's not a problem - the hardest thing is drilling straight, into a tube. Then aligning the top and bottom holes, so the cage isn't off-centre.

If you Google it, you'll find loads of information - and where to buy rivnuts. You don't need a tool - just a long bolt and two corresponding nuts.

And remember to test the space above, for getting the bottle out!

 

[ThePowster]

Yep I will order some new cages tonight, then once I have them cover frame in tape, mark my holes, then get the old drill out and see if I can pull this off lol.

 

[baronsouthside]

A tip for drilling on a radius is to use a small square file (or the slim cutting edge of a flat file) to create a small flat spot on which the drill bit will not wander this way or that. You may even get a small centre punch mark onto the flat spot. Obviously dont make the flat spot larger than the actual metal that will be removed while drilling but you don't need much of a flat spot to help the drill bit bite.

 

[Woz]

.

 

[Woz]

Good advice above. If you frame is small, consider a 90 degree drill attachment, start with a 2mm and work up to the Rivnut diameter (think it is about 5mm). Supping Pernod helps too.