How To Add Bottle Cage Mounts To A Bike Frame

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@Thrashaero]

is m5 x 0.8 the standard threading for frame bolt holes in general?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@Thrashaero Shrug. There are lots of different frames with different bolt holes.

[@kengrubb]

@@RJTheBikeGuy you are correct sir. My 1986 Giant made Schwinn World has M5 for the bottle cages, but M6 for the fender/rack bolt holes. There's only one hole on the rear triangle, each side, so I use an M6 with the fender stay outside/rack stay inside. I did have to drill out and enlarge the fender stay holes to get the M6 bolt in.

[@thisishowiedewitt76]

Why aluminum rivnuts and not zinc plated steel rivnuts in a steel frame?

[@oplkfdhgk]

I prefer to just buy adapter's from china. That way I don't risk the structural integrity of the frame. The adapter's basically just is ring shaped thing with m5 threads. It is very simple. Even I could make them with 3d printer.

[@koyapol]

8 years later and this video is still useful. Thanks for sharing sir

[@10thgensiracing]

This is the best video of drilling holes and installing rivnuts without a rivnut tool.

[@Clevelanddrummer1]

Just wanted to thank you for making this (and every other) video. I followed all of your instructions and it worked perfectly! Because of your videos, I think I actually might love working on bikes more than I like riding! Take care!

[@the_blair_bike_project]

Amazing. The braise ons on my son's Trek frame started spinning I had to drill it out. Now i have a possible solution. Thank you so much. Your channel has given me more information, more great advice than any other, honestly!

[@devscave403]

Was this a solution? Did it work?

[@classydays43]

Now I can put bottle cage mounts everywhere. There's no limit now Seat tube? Bottle cage Forks? Bottle cage Handlebar? Bottle cage Crank? You better believe there'll be a bottle cage Need pannier screw holes? It's the same thread Pannier? Bottle cage there, too Bottle cage? You guessed it... bottle cage!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Stick to the main tubes.

[@rhitrix]

Why limit yourself to just bikes? Exterior car door. Mailbox swivel door. Drop ceiling framing. Limitless possibilities.

[@classydays43]

@@rhitrix sanitiser bottle stands aren't complete without a bottle cage

[@duckacid]

@@classydays43 Thanks for the good laugh.

[@s34nvideos]

I really like the bottle cage on the crank idea, they can double as suspension pedals

[@rickorider]

This is great idea to add extra mounts for battery if converting bike to an ebike. I fitted a Bafang mid drive motor to my Marin mounting bike and need to add 2 extra mounts for battery. This worked brilliant. Thankyou RJ. Top bike guy!

[@JonPrevost]

You haven't given me any new information in this video BUT you do a much better job than I describing the process. Something about your voice and process makes me feel like a child learning. I can't put my finger on it and I don't have to, maybe it was the "kicks and giggles" expression. Just know that these types of videos are worth so much more than you are likely getting paid... and I'll keep trying to compensate by giving you praise and thanks.

[@golf231971]

Pay attention ladies. This is why man take an hour to hang a picture . Your welcome . Great video by the way 👍

[@poly_hexamethyl]

10:26 After drilling the holes, before mounting the rivnuts, I used a large (1/2") drill bit turned a few times by hand to deburr the edges of the hole, otherwise the rivnut didn't look like it was seating closely against the tube. Also, if you have open crank bearings be careful that the metal chips from the drilling don't fall down into the bottom bracket and end up in your bearings. (Crunch, crunch... :-) I took the opportunity to overhaul my bottom bracket and had the crankshaft/bearings removed when I drilled the holes.

[@samteks125]

Two very good points I noticed as well! I also removed the BB even though it was a seales cartridge when sawzalling through a stuck seatpost, but then again that produced a LOT more debris that two holes in the frame

[@billd6565]

Didn’t know these rivet nuts existed. Much easier than brazing on bottle mounts. Gonna be a big upgrade for my 1974 Raleigh

[@TheReal1953]

Like he said, DO NOT do this on anything like Reynolds 753 frames on Raleigh's or thin aluminum frames. Personally, I can't bring myself to do this on vintage Raleigh's of the Competition GS level or better.

[@pankajmistry4600]

You have knowledge from the old country. Great stuff 👌🏽

[@app6336]

Man! I've already watched couple of your videos and I've become your big fan! New video - for me of course [apart from it is 8 y.o.] and you amaze me once again. The simplicity and accuracy of your advices is stunning. Love it! Thank you RJ very much for your educative content! You've tought me a lot!

[@philipphacker8790]

I second all the successful home bike mechanics in the comments. It took me just as long as this video to mount 2 bottle cages just the way you showed. Marvellous! @RJ The Bike Guy

[@Corfine]

man you are the bicycle king you know everything about bicycles. weather cold in Ireland not hot like USA hot weather sometimes one month no need drink bottles

[@Albanez39]

I have never liked water bottles on bikes. And I am not going to add bottle mounts to my bike...but when RJ works on a bike, it's so entertaining and educational, I can't miss it. Keep up the great work, sir!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks. On long rides, lasting for hours, water is a must. Between a Camelback or bottles, I prefer water bottles.

[@Albanez39]

I have tried riding a bike with a full bottle on the mount, but the weight that splashed left and right inside the bottle really annoyed me. The weight is too low, and sometimes it seemed like there was side wind pushing me in one direction, but it was the water pulling me in that direction after a turn. I prefer keeping that weight high, on my back (with a backpack), be it a water bottle or a camel back.

[@calcagnolibero]

Very useful and well done, I like especially the home made rivets tool

[@sugashack74]

You sir 7 years later are still the king. I'm about to do this to my daughter's hybrid bike that doesn't have a water cage. Please let me know where I can get these rivets

[@pdbike43]

Timeless valuable know-how. RJ!!

[@larrygood6764]

I was skeptical at first, but you have a new subscriber here. Excellent video and instruction, thank you RJ.

[@johndoes2434]

Very informative straight-to-the-point no crud and no extra commentary

[@leemundoMadDog]

As always RJ, love your work. Thank you. You're my go too guy whenever I'm trying too figure out anything on my bike, all of them! I have 2 race bikes, a "beater" commuter, and a Touring Bike, and yr advice has covered all of them at some point, sometimes multiple times! And crossing over too, I'm looking at turning my low end race bike into a bikepacking bike, adding racks, and this video was gold. Again, thanks mate 😎👍

[@Turtle_Man-bt9nk]

I’m not putting a bottle holder on a bike but it has transferred to my new project. Thanks for the vid!

[@misternobody4644]

Here are some tips to make it easier to install, at least from my experience. I used an Irwin Unibit step drill bit #1MT (16101) to drill out the hole without needing to change drill bits to 7mm, then use a slightly larger drill bit if needed to fit the rivnut. Also, I found that there was enough clearance, at least on my dad's bicycle to fit a Milwaukee M18 drill with the step drill bit. If you don't have enough clearance and don't have a right angle drill, you can use a much affordable right angle drill attachment, such as the DeWalt Right Angle Drill Attachment (DWARA050) and attach it to your existing drill.

[@markholm7050]

I think I'd put some silicone caulk or some varnish on the rivnut before installing it. Won't prevent metal to metal contact, but will keep water out, much reducing the risk of corrosion.. Grease on the screws, too, for the same reason. I use loctite on screws for braze-on mounts, but for riv nuts, this would risk spinning the rivnut.

[@bendekker6552]

Who dislikes a video like this? Thanks RJ! I might try this on an old steel frame I like to ride.

[@leoleonor7774]

Hope has come at last. Thank you RJ for this video. This is the answer to my bottle cageless roadbike. Thumbs up!

[@ez-crypto]

You're a genius RJ. I wish I had viewed your video before doing my own rivnut. I bought a pricey tool (60 euros) but the rivnut are not straight because I did not proceed like you with th sheet of paper to center and I only had a normal drill so I could not drill perpendicular.

[@whiskeykilmer1866]

Do you think these types of boss mounts will withstand the weight of an e-bike battery? Thanks for the video.

[@glennrosen2021]

Thanks so much ....used this to help mount a battery to a mountain bike...RIVNUTS are the trick as well as your simple homemade crimping tool

[@MHH3180]

The deal with using a bolt instead of an expensive tool is simply genius. I find myself laughing out loud at myself for not coming up with this perfect solution..

[@joeh690]

interesting because once my mounts we destroyed I thought my bottle cage would never fit on my bike anymore. you seem to have an answer for everything bike related!

[@loridonovan1714]

This was great, thank you. Especially the homemade rivnut tool, and you tell all the sizes of accessories needed, drill bits, the M5, using painters tape to protect finish, etc. I need to attach an ebike battery to my downtube, and the water bottle mounts do not line up with the holes in the bracket, as my frame size is small, and the ebike battery bracket is designed for larger frame bikes. But, putting in a couple new rivnuts should solve the problem as I do have enough room for the bracket and clearance to unhinge the battery from the bracket. Thank you!!

[@muskegpress]

Fantastic Video! You don't have mounts on your fork? As long as your fork is Steel or aluminum.... Now you do!

[@nileshboth]

I thank you sir! Because of you, I just saved 60 dollars !

[@camillussawasali1583]

Your video didn't show it but I assume you had screws with which you affixed the bottle holder to the down tube. I have made a holder for my jbl charge 5 speaker out of 100 mm pvc pipe and plan to secure this to the top tube. Thank-you for the video.

[@SuperTechnicalman]

It looks good. I come from an aerospace background. we were taught not to mix aluminum and steel like that for corrosion issues.

[@Nitecrow314]

You think his bike will fall out the sky???

[@Mr-nt8mz]

Nice work! I need to do the same on an old bike. Im just surprised that the holes are that big compared to the tube. But that seems fine! Good job and thanks so much for the tip.

[@jorgemancuso1315]

The screw trick is really clever.learned something useful,thanks!

[@Chris-13]

Thank you for taking the time to do your videos, they are the most useful on you tube👍

[@ptmag55]

Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@eukaryon]

very helpful, thank you. note for future videos, you could place the camera opposite, facing you. Your hands would not hide the work.

[@Pterocarpous]

Excellent! I was wondering how to add braze-ons to a frame. Thank you for sharing this.

[@raymondchew8894]

Nice video and very helpful to install water bottle. As some bicycle put bottle location in unwanted location. It also helpful when you carry out repair stripped thread.

[@kengrubb]

Another RJ video put into use. Bike is a hi-ten steel Giant made Schwinn World. I need to pick up a hi-ten black finish steel M5x30 to make the rivnut tool. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but a stainless M5x30 is presumably softer than hi-ten. Also need to debur the hole. Planning to use JB Weld in the hole to seal it and help keep the rivnut from spinning down the road.

[@lifelong5425]

Fantastic.....seeing and hearing the methods used make such a difference

[@CommishsPlace]

Excellent tutorial that helped me install a battery for my ebike. Thanks!

[@SirQuacksalotthe1st]

Exactly why I'm here did it last ? And hold it well?

[@pocketrocketschmizza]

That bolt trick is pretty handy, thanks for this one😉

[@CarlosSilva-ti5ib]

Great video. I have a Merida Speeder 200, I'm using downtube shifters, but to avoid drilling the alloy frame, I created a support for them, fixed at the water bottle screws. I would like your opinion on if it's safe to create two additional drills, where the downtube shifters usually stay, to apply a more simple bracket. Thanks !

[@polthedestroyer]

A lot of help when you want to use modern bags that use frame bosses on older frames!

[@dfiglide]

Excellent video RJ.Thanks very much for your time and effort. I`m currently about to start a refurb on an old Peugeot UE-8, tracking down the parts is the problem.

[@jefferywilkinson509]

You make such informative videos,I like the way you explain in an easy to understand way. Thank you

[@jhenry248]

Excellent tip as always, I just converted my 12 speed into a fixed gear and I was wondering how I was going to go about installing water bottle on the down tube. Even contemplated on drilling holes and brazing on small nuts as bosses for the bottle frame to mount on.

[@broccoli5408]

I notice you have raised veins. I have them too. Your videos are excellent.

[@camillussawasali1583]

They are the hands of one who does physical work. I have them too.

[@samtatge8299]

Oh man the green paint is beautiful

[@SelbyPav]

Thanks for the video. After watching it I did same to my old raleigh however I have ordered stainless steel nuts instead of aluminium ones and am unable to install them (the rivets spin in the frame) Ordered aluminium ones so hopefully they will do the job.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+pavdude13 You might have gotten rivnuts for too thick of material. The frame is thin walled, so you need rivnuts designed to lock into a thin sheet.

[@SelbyPav]

+RJ The Bike Guy managed to install the aluminium rivet nuts as per video, thanks again

[@user-ye4te7gz1s]

Thank you, love the tool tip. Worked a treat to replace mounts for a rear rack.

[@lamottalmj]

That was a great video I want to add a bottle to my seat post.......now I know how to do it. Bad part is I just overhauled my BB 2 days after Christmas.

[@Chris-13]

Love your videos , so talented please keep them coming 👍👍

[@kingpey666]

Great video! You are greatly appreciated! Thoughts on rivnuts on steel MTB fork, basically trying to make a touring bike fork?

[@elmaildecamiloruiz]

hi, did you try it? i'm curious

[@TheForever1990]

Easy cleanup , came as described fast. Great product

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Thanks for this video RJ. I have an old Apollo without cage mounts, I'd fitted clamp on mounts but it looked awful. Watching this has given me the confidence to drill holes in my bike! Using the bolt & nut to install is a great idea, I'd wondered how I was gonna get the huge arms of the installation tool inside the frame triangle.

[@cloystreng]

What model Apollo do you have? I have an '81 Prestige and it too is missing cage mounts. I've gone with the clamp method but am considering drilling.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

@@cloystreng I have 3 Apollos, the one without cage mounts is an Apollo I, not sure of the year, early eighties maybe, with metal head badge.

[@yankeevelofoxtrot]

Just finished restoring a '74 Raleigh Super Tourer - and there are no bottle mounts so I was wondering if this was possible. Thanks for the demo. I'll probably take it to a bike shop to have it done though since I don't have the tools or the confidence even if I did, haha.

[@TheReal1953]

Reynolds 531 frame....the steel is plenty thick as it's a lower tier Raleigh.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Exellent installation tutorial thanks! I was looking for this to install a second bottle cage on the seat tube of a commuter/adventure/gravel bike.

[@MasterIvo]

Perfect! just what I needed. Now I know I need to outsource it :)

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

RJ, thanks for this. It's a job I need to do in the near future.

[@waveydaveydiver]

Thank you very much! Just what I wanted to know so I can upgrade my MTB and add some mounts to the down tube up from the bottom bracket

[@CycleOmania]

Thanks! I may have to do this in the future. I already had someone ask me to make sure his next bike has 2 cage holders. If not, he wanted a way to add one!

[@ellerybice3787]

You suggest that we should not drill into carbon fiber frames for these same mounting point purposes, then how do the carbon fiber frame manufactures do the same? Thanks.

[@BernardManansala]

Thanks for this. I just did this on my chromoly frame, worked like a charm.

[@roncooke2188]

RJ I fit a lot of rivnuts on the downtubes for the lithium battery plate, similar method to yours. most times i can use one already there or i put an extra one

[@chaleowin7732]

Hello from 2021, this video is still very helpful.

[@RubenFRS]

Did not know these existed! Should work on Titanium frame too?

[@ddream777]

Great video. Thank you from Beijing!

[@MiggyManMike]

That could be one of the only times galvanic corrosion is useful :p

[@SorieKondi]

awesome videos as always RJ, picking up an EBIKE and it has zero braze-ons go figure. thanks for the demo

[@laneromel5667]

I like to add a little epoxy when putting aluminium rivnuts in a steel bike to keep the moisture away from the joint. This prevents corrosion.

[@darkomtc]

My bike has lose rivet nuts, and the screws are inside. I managed to take one out by tilting and twisting, but other one doesn't wanna come out. I feel like I'm damaging the frame. Any suggestions to remove screw from lose rivet nut?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5y3qYypmd-iZqs

[@1a2b3c4.]

RJ IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT BIKES THAT YOU DON'T KNOW. EXCELLENT BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME TYPE BIKE AND I DON'T RIDE IT BECAUSE OF THE WATER BOTTLE PROBLEM.

[@kmproductions9794]

nice video! will this work on a steel rivet? with the diy bolt thread technique?

[@dooleh84]

RJ, you're a bike god! I had a loose rivnut in my frame since I bought it, and I thought I'd have to live with a loose bottle cage forever. I'm going to try this later today, I hope it works and doesn't mess up the rivnut thread.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5y3qYypmd-iZqs

[@leerobin2282]

Awesome video. I want to mount a water bottle holder on a little girls bike. What is the brand of water bottle cage you used in the video please?

[@raymondbucher49]

i have found the best way to mount a bottle cage mount is with a radiator clamp..Making sure to get it under any brake cables/derailer cables...And a layer or two electrical tape

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I did that video years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIbKo4WKjah2lck This video is to add regular permanent mounts.

[@bertiewooster9222]

or use P clips

[@dragosfokker9303]

Is that wristwatch a Breitling? If so, it is probably much more expensive than the Honda in the background. Even if it is, even if it is not, still, it looks good on your hand!

[@wonkylommiter6364]

Many thanks!! I have an aluminium cyclocross frame which would make a great gravel bike, but has no bottle cage mounts, so will definitely try this. could It also work as a replacement for existing cage mounts that are spinning rather than tightening on an al frame mountainbike I have, if i can drill out the old loose and spinning riv-nuts? some parts may be left rattling in the frame, but I'm willing to accept that if i can mount a bottle cage again!

[@wonkylommiter6364]

@King Of Crunk I did, yes, worked ok!

[@joyce120860]

The ingenuity of mankind is limitless ! What will they think of next ?

[@mcjcg1372]

Thanks for the video I'm wanting to get a genius RCT and it doesn't have a bottle Cage I asked my closest bike shop if you can put them on a frame that's not made for it and she sed no this video was very helpful thanks again

[@kengrubb]

It is done! Wait 24 hours for the JB Weld to cure, then the second bottle cage goes on!

[@ECoventry]

Nice. What do we reckon about screws for a pannier rack on a titanium frame?

[@johnbruins5984]

Seems to me you could align the holes by using a bottle cage. You would still want to measure to the bottom screw to make sure your placement is correct, but using a cage as a template would be faster.

[@kanenasithaki4669]

could we use this method for adding disc brake to steel fork? there's no space for adapter use so it's either welding or this (hopefully)

[@samteks125]

Would it make sense to apply some J-B Weld to the outside of the rivnuts before installing them in order to make the connection extra solid? Just thinking about frames where the inserts start to get loose sometimes

[@vincentbeyer3591]

If you're working with butted tubing how would you assess the thickness of the frame tube? If I measure the tubing at the lip of the seat tube can I approximate the dimension/thickness of the middle of the tube fairly accurately?

[@kiru2ki]

Nice Technique, you are an ecperienced guy. Thanks for the video.

[@clockdva20]

You can normally buy the Rib Nuts in packets that include the correct drill bit usually from the same company that makes the tool for compressing the rib nut yes they are pricy , but you can use these rib nuts for some many things .

[@Nitecrow314]

RiV * nuts.

[@Redcloud1867]

Thanks so much! Would there be any problems doing this on a bike fork?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes. Do NOT do this on a bike fork!

[@Redcloud1867]

Thanks for the response! Appreciate the great filming and editing on your tutorials... all the way from Aus.

[@PMoney365]

Cold you do this on a fork or rear triangle to attach racks, or would that weaken them too much?

[@hornet224]

Would you recommend using 304 stainless steel rivnuts for a carbon fork due to galvanic action between the two?

[@ChicoMillion]

Any reason you didn’t try to vacuum/ shake out/ blow out the chips left inside the frame from drilling the holes? Because the frame isn’t steel you weren’t worried about it? Also, it seems like it would be a good idea to de-burr the holes (or maybe sand the edges) and dab a little bit of paint while the tape is still in place, no? I’m going to add water bottle holders to my kids’ bikes so they can carry their own water-I really like the folded paper trick, I had planned to just eyeball the alignment but your method seems a bit more scientific. I had dismissed the idea of using rivnuts because I thought they wouldn’t crush properly inside the curved downtube but after watching your video I think that’s how I’ll do it after all. Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

First most of the chips are pulled out by the drill. You wouldn't be able to vacuum or blow them out through those holes. You can pull the bottom bracket and clean any debris. Or pull the BB before you drill.

[@ChicoMillion]

Good call, thanks for your reply!

[@goodpools]

So I don’t get it, on the DIY tool, what’s the point of the nut?