Is it advisable to drill an aluminum frame for an additional water bottle cage, or is it even possible? Specifically a seat tube that is currently void of two water bottle bosses. Thanks.
Seat tube? Sure, why the hell not.
On the other hand, band clamps work almost as well and don’t generally present major frame damage potentials like picking up a drill might.
Yes, certainly. No issues. Have a good shop do it though.
There are a rivit type boss that can be installed in a drilled hole to give you threads,can not think of they name right now but is as good as factory fittings
.
something like “rivnuts”?
Hello,
No, It is not advisable. First off it voids the warrantee, secondly it weakens the tube. The seat tube is usually not a very stressed tube, but you are still taking a chance. Finally, even if you do drill the frame the wall isn’t thick enough to hold a bottle cage anyways. When done at the factory their is either a reinforced boss welded to the frame or a threaded insert put into the frame. A company named twofish makes a water battle cage that will fasten to the frame using rubber mounts and velcro straps. use that.
Styrrell
Smtyrrell, what if you add some “rivnuts” as Randall or Jay referred to?
You are probably OK, but maybe not and you will spend as much if not more than the sure thing twofish or similar solution.
Styrrell
I’ve done it while working for a shop and I had to replace the ones in my Coppi another time. I was scared, I’d prefer to do my own dental work than drill into someones frame.
Be sure you’ve got 1.2mm wall thickness or greater when you punch the hole. Riv-nuts are available through bicycle distributors throughout the US.
Good Luck!
-SD