extra small bike frame - water bottle issues

[geochick]

I just got back into road biking (after an 18 year hiatus) and have issues with my silly water bottles. I have a 43 cm bike. When I use the cage on the post, even the smallest water bottle I can find hits the cross bar and won't completely seat in the cage. I'm afraid I'm going to end up wrecking my bike while I'm fighting with the darn things.

Has anyone had to deal with a similar problem? Come up with any solutions? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

I've seen side-loading water bottle cages on e-bay and wonder if they're a reasonable solution.

Thanks!

[Adventure Girl]

Would something like this work for you?
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/20_1951.jpg

[geochick]

It might. Thanks!!!

[Irulan]

what about a camelback?

[CorsairMac]

My LBS almost always puts side-load cages on the smaller bikes. I've heard from several ppl on other forums that they love them. Let us know what you go with and how well it works

and welcome to the board btw! :D

[geochick]

Thanks so much. I'm going to order the side loads (2 for $4.99 plus shipping on ebay!), and see how they work for me. If not, I'll try some of the other, more spendy, options.

I'm so happy to have found a place where I can ask these questions and not get that patronizing "look" - which we all know and hate - from the guys I ride with.........

[Surlygirl]

I have the same problem since I ride a 42cm cross bike. I use a full size bottle on the downtube and I bought a small wide mouth nagalene bottle for the seat tube. I generally stash my energy bars and snacks in the short one and use the other for water. If I'm doing a long ride I use a hydration pack.
Check out girlbike.com. Crystal also had the same issues and switched to side mount water bottle cages. I've recently seen ones that twist sideways so you can get the bottles out too.