Re: [CR] TA handlebar-mount water bottle cage experience

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:52:30 -0800
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <mailman.11.1298145602.78594.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> <514283.46003.qm@web30007.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <514283.46003.qm@web30007.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] TA handlebar-mount water bottle cage experience


I used TA handlebar mount cages for years back in the 70s. In some cases even used 2 cages, one attached on each side of the stem. Still have several NOS TA cages squirreled away in my stash.

I only had a water bottle bounce out a few times that I can remember and that was mostly off road ridding.

Something I found by accident of sorts, the cage would tilt forward from bouncing and vibration. The bottles bounced a little but never bounced out when they were in that position.

As Andrew Stewart mentioned, I used to use stainless steel 1/4" hose hose clamps rather than the standard TA clamps. I put some electrical tape over the bars to prevent marring.

Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA

Paul A. Grens wrote:
> Amigos,
>
> I was lucky enough to stumble upon an NOS TA handlebar-mount water bottle cage
> recently, model 213 as shown on this web site:
>
> http://www.blackbirdsf.org/ta/ref213.html
>
> Its destined for my '74/'75 Motobecane Grand Jubile, which has some attractive
> and well preserved Pivo handlebars with the winged engravings.
>
> I'm apprehensive to mount the NOS cage, though, and not because it's NOS, but
> because it doesn't seem to have any support beyond the two tabs you lash to the
> handlebars, unlike the REG "erector set" style handlebar cages with the
> reinforcement on the bottom of the cage that clamps to the stem quill to
> stabilize things.
>
>
> The TA cage seems to put a lot of reliance on just those two tabs, while I
> suspect the weight of a full water bottle and the bumps and bounces of a long
> ride will eventually force the cage to slip down, with unfortunate consequences
> for the handlebar finish. Unless, of course, I tighten it to the extent that it
> is well dug into the decorative sleeve on the Pivo bars, which I'd rather not
> do, and even then, I'm dubious that it could handle the awkward weight
> distribution.
>
> Also possible is that my bar/stem configuration is too "new" and that older
> stems were more compatible in providing support and possibly running the
> handlebar clamp bolt through the cage itself (though I'd have to really re-shape
> this one to do that, and it probably wouldn't work with the keyed bolt on the
> Belleri stem).
>
> Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.
>
> And here's a link to the Grand Jubile, for, ahem, reference:
>
> http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/pgrens/Motobecane%20Grand%20Jubile/
>
> and in tiny form: http://tinyurl.com/4nd4x39
>
> Cheers,
>
> Paul Grens
> Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.