Catastrophic bottle cage failure with Minoura set-up

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve got the Minoura thing behind my seat, no noise so far by the way. On Saturday I did start to hear some rattling back there and just assumed I needed to tighten up the bracket, I was 15 minutes from home so I figured I’d wait. A few minutes later I lost a bottle, I thought it had been launched. When I went back to get it I found it was still in the bottle cage. The cage had snapped right off. When I looked at the other cage I could see it was well on its way to breaking too. These were just your basic Aluminum bottle cage with a bracket welded on. On my frame I’ve got Specialized cages but they cost more so I hesitate to buy them for the minoura if they are just going to break. So my questions: Has this happened to anyone else? What could have caused it? Is there something about the set-up that puts a lot of stress on the cages or do cheap cages have a limited life span? What kind of cages do you use back there?

2

I use Specialized Rib Cages or Profile Kages and never had a problem…ever!

3

If you read John Cobb’s aero data there is very little reason to use a behind the seat system. Also they’re more difficult to reach, can launch bottles and you’ve just given us another reason why to avoid them.

I’ve told all this to my wife but she still uses her Minoura system. Some women just don’t listen!

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/waterbottles.html

4

If you read John Cobb’s aero data there is very little reason to use a behind the seat system. Also they’re more difficult to reach, can launch bottles and you’ve just given us another reason why to avoid them.

Cervelo Guy,

I agree with your wife and believe the following:

  1. I NEVER launch bottles - in fact I see this as a complete non factor unless riding a beam bike

  2. I do not believe they are harder to reach. In fact, with frame cages I need to break cadence a bit, but don’t need to with them behind the seat - of course I’ve had them there for 14+ years and am pretty experienced in having them there

  3. Cobb’s data also gives very little reason not to have them behind the seat. I also believe his article is frequently misquoted/misinterpreted. His article only directly applies to the frame being used in the testing (and is still very close) and may be different with different frames and/or bottle position. Still too close to make much difference.

  4. Many of the aero frames (my P3) only has a place for one frame cage, so if you want more than one you have to put them somewhere else and behind the seat is a good spot.

…just a few of my thoughts.

5

I’m not really planning to use it in races but when I ride long I hate to stop and behind the seat gives me 5 bottles to drink before refilling.

6

I use the Profile Kage - I just replace the elastic cords, the ones they use do not last that long, works fine.

My issue was getting the Minoura braket from vibrating loose. Do a search and you will find my origan thread with some good tips! I used a combination of them to get mine sorted.

7

The only cages we install here in our store on the Minoura bottle cage holder are the heavier gauge Elite Ciussi. We have never had one of those fail.

If you use another cage you may have a problem.

8

Have to agree about the Cobb article, and I also wonder, what is the cost of not using the extra bottles and starting the marathon dehydrated. I ride a P2K (one bottle mount on the frame), and sweat alot. I’ll drink two big bottles an hour and still find it hard to stay hydrated when riding hard in hot weather. So, for me the aero disadvantage is offset by the need to stay hydrated. There are always trade-offs, and aero is not always the most important thing.

Back on topic-I have used the minoura for a couple years now with no problems. As for launching bottles, I just found some cages made by Trek that have a little tab at the top that locks the bottle in. Virtually impossible to launch one with these cages. I found them as Scheels for 7.99/ea. As soon as they get some more, I’m replacing all my cages with these.

Chris

9

I’ve been using the minoura for about 15,000 miles with the same 2 Al cages, sounds like the same cages you have. I can’t think of a way for the cages to break.

If the minoura or cage was loose and bouncing around for the entire ride, I could understand almost anything breaking.

10

“I also wonder, what is the cost of not using the extra bottles and starting the marathon dehydrated.”

Sorry, I wasn’t thinking of the longer distances since I only go short. It would definately be more of an issue for the IM than for the sprints/Olys.

11

where do you find elastic cords to replace them? i need to do this but haven’t a clue where to start looking (me thinks the doodes in home depot will not be helpful in this regard)

k

12

I have the Minoura frame and had profile cages which launched bottles at any given time including for no apparent reason. Found zefel s cages which don’t launch and are cheap at $7 but I have had one brake.

On the topic of bottle position when I bought my bike from Cobb he placed the Minoura and said not to use it in Oly or shorter but the hydration on longer races was much more important the the less aero use of behind the seat bottles.

13

where do you find elastic cords to replace them?

k,

I have never replaced mine and still don’t have any problems. I’m not sure they are needed and currently go without.

I did break a Kage last week rear mounting my bike in a transition area, but I think that was operator abuse!

14

I use a jetstream in front because I drink more with it and I can drink when going hard . I don’t put anything on my frame because I don’t think it looks good. I bet many avoid frame mounts for the same reason but won’t admit it. I put One bottle when racing behind the seat and two when training. Even on IM distance races they have fuel every 10 miles. The only reason I carry one behind the seat when racing is so I can have fuel in the jetstream and water behind the seat.

15

where do you find elastic cords to replace them? i need to do this but haven’t a clue where to start looking (me thinks the doodes in home depot will not be helpful in this regard)

k

dig through your girlfriend/wifes hair stuff and use some of those elastic rubberbands they use for pony tails, little plastic balls are optional.

Greg

16

happened to me with my x-lab rear holder as well. Nothing to do with the minoura just that the cages are exposed to a bit more of a beating back there than on the frame. Pulling them out at that angle normally stresses the cages more as does all the bouncing with the entire cage mount and bottles cantilevered off the back of the seat like that. I went through at least four blackburn cheap alu cages which broke at the welds in 2 years before I put the elite gel cages (similar to Tom’s elite ciussi cage reccomendation) back on. Buy some nice cages and you’ll be fine. Buy cheap ones and you’ll be replacing them often.

17

I broke a few on my X-Labs…King Ti cages…no more breaks.

18

Tom,

How or where do you mount your spare tubular with the Minoura unit? I had an X-Lab system on my stock seat but replaced it with a Aspide and the rails are too narrow for me to mount the X-Lab system the way I like it (it keeps slipping down). So I picked up a Minoura unit, but there’s no where to mount anything, even my C02 bottles.

How’d you carry everything at IMNZ?

thanks,

MWB

19

uh…thanks for that tip…but i don’t go that way. :slight_smile: (not that there is anything wrong with that way) i’ll dig around in my hair stuff thanks.

k

20

You can find replacement O-rings in the plumbing section of most lowe’s or Home Depots.

Last time I bought a bunch they were approx 30 cents a piece.

Jim