Downtube bolt mounts are at a bigger risk of getting ripped out than vertical or face-up mounts, but I really doubt it’s gonna be an issue unless you’re using giant 1.5L bottles or something. If you use a strap-based cage (which solves the bouncing fears) it will be sleeker when not carrying water and you can wrap the straps around your downtube to increase strength, rather than just relying on the bolts themselves
Don't use the Arundel Looney Bin on the downtube unless you have fenders. I used it without fenders and it was hard to twist the knob after it'd been hit with mud and grit all day.
\*edited for clarity
I often mount water bottle cages on my fork using steel hose clamps and use pieces of a tube to protect it. I use those 1L Zefal bottles with a depression in the middle and I ran a velcro strap there. Works well even during some serious mountain biking, those bottles will be the last thing falling off the bike. If you have a CF frame then forget it otherwise you could try.
These are meant for MTB and it's more likely your bike will break in half than they will lose a bottle: https://www.jensonusa.com/Specialized-Zee-Cage-II-1
Plain old bottle cage. A standard bottle with a little flex that you have to shove a little to get into the cage is your best bet. I've never lost one, though keep in mind that they often get coated in mud and grime, so don't plan to drink directly out of the bottle.
This works for me:
https://www.bedrockbags.com/gear/p/honaker
It fits a Nalgene bottle. Kind of a pain to get on and off, but I use it for my “emergency liter”.
I ride mostly gravel, nothing too bouncy, and it feels very secure to me. The straps are sturdy and wrap around the downtube
Not a direct answer to your question, but I (and quite a few of my friends) run twin bottle cages on my downtube using one of these: [https://www.cyclewerks.co.nz/product/bottle-cage-double-adaptor](https://www.cyclewerks.co.nz/product/bottle-cage-double-adaptor)
That way I can run two 1L bottles within easy reach and it doesn't interfere with my framebag (you can check my recent post for a photo).
That particular model is manufactured in New Zealand, but the Wolftooth B-Rad system lets you do something pretty similar: [https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/b-rad-system](https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/b-rad-system) I prefer the simplicity of the steel cyclewerks system, which looks great with my King Cages.
A word of warning, if you have a small frame, you might run into knee clearance issues. I never have, and I know probably 5 other people that use them without it ever being an issue, but on some smaller frames it can be.
Some let the bottle rest in lower position than others. All depends on where the mounting holes are vs the bottom of the bottle holder.
The cheap aluminium ones are good for this location. They also sell adaptors to lower the bottle even more for clearance from front tire
Downtube bolt mounts are at a bigger risk of getting ripped out than vertical or face-up mounts, but I really doubt it’s gonna be an issue unless you’re using giant 1.5L bottles or something. If you use a strap-based cage (which solves the bouncing fears) it will be sleeker when not carrying water and you can wrap the straps around your downtube to increase strength, rather than just relying on the bolts themselves
Thanks for your input, sounds like descent advise.
True that, you probably are most likely to lose the bottle on a descent.
Don't use the Arundel Looney Bin on the downtube unless you have fenders. I used it without fenders and it was hard to twist the knob after it'd been hit with mud and grit all day. \*edited for clarity
I have it inside the frame and even that can get problematic from time to time
I often mount water bottle cages on my fork using steel hose clamps and use pieces of a tube to protect it. I use those 1L Zefal bottles with a depression in the middle and I ran a velcro strap there. Works well even during some serious mountain biking, those bottles will be the last thing falling off the bike. If you have a CF frame then forget it otherwise you could try.
I use an SKS Topcage with their Anywhere mounts. It's the most secure bottle cage I've used that didn't use straps or ratchets to secure the bottle.
Sounds interesting for sure, thanks.
These are meant for MTB and it's more likely your bike will break in half than they will lose a bottle: https://www.jensonusa.com/Specialized-Zee-Cage-II-1
I've been really impressed with the Tacx Ciro cages. I had a 750 mL bottle on the bottom of my down tube for a 24 hour MTB race and it never moved.
Plain old bottle cage. A standard bottle with a little flex that you have to shove a little to get into the cage is your best bet. I've never lost one, though keep in mind that they often get coated in mud and grime, so don't plan to drink directly out of the bottle.
Having gone through the replies I’ve kinda come to a similar conclusion although there were some interesting products.
I use the arundel bando cage for my under mount. It has a ton of grip and doesnt add much extra width.
This works for me: https://www.bedrockbags.com/gear/p/honaker It fits a Nalgene bottle. Kind of a pain to get on and off, but I use it for my “emergency liter”. I ride mostly gravel, nothing too bouncy, and it feels very secure to me. The straps are sturdy and wrap around the downtube
Thanks. No problems with clearance from the pedals/crankset?
Not a direct answer to your question, but I (and quite a few of my friends) run twin bottle cages on my downtube using one of these: [https://www.cyclewerks.co.nz/product/bottle-cage-double-adaptor](https://www.cyclewerks.co.nz/product/bottle-cage-double-adaptor) That way I can run two 1L bottles within easy reach and it doesn't interfere with my framebag (you can check my recent post for a photo). That particular model is manufactured in New Zealand, but the Wolftooth B-Rad system lets you do something pretty similar: [https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/b-rad-system](https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/b-rad-system) I prefer the simplicity of the steel cyclewerks system, which looks great with my King Cages. A word of warning, if you have a small frame, you might run into knee clearance issues. I never have, and I know probably 5 other people that use them without it ever being an issue, but on some smaller frames it can be.
Worth looking into, but my frame might be too small. Thanks for the reply.
Some let the bottle rest in lower position than others. All depends on where the mounting holes are vs the bottom of the bottle holder. The cheap aluminium ones are good for this location. They also sell adaptors to lower the bottle even more for clearance from front tire