Saddle mounts for water bottles?

I am just going to say at the outset that I think these are ugly, or at least all the ones I've seen are pretty ugly. But so are most of my other options, so maybe you guys can help me find the least ugly alternative.

The bike in question is this one:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/...a1e333376e.jpg

There is no way to mount a bottle cage on the downtube without using one of those ugly strap things, and my husband is convinced that bottle cages look awful on mixtes anyway (so I guess I should just be thirsty). I am probably going to give in and put a cage on the downtube somehow, but I am looking for some less ugly options, if they can be found. Anyone have a brilliant solution?

Hmmm...no experience with any of these, but I think this is what you're talking about: http://www.rei.com/product/768770

I have heard they tend to project bottles, however...

CA

Yeah, those are the only ones I've found. I think they would look ridiculous on this bike, not even considering the projectile issue!

I'm also look at saddle bags but I think I'd have to use an awfully big one in order to have room for a water bottle.

We use Two Fish velcro cages on the kids bikes. Seem to work ok.

Another option if you want a handlebar bag anyway is some of the jannd handlebar bags have side pockets for water bottles. A camelback is another idea.

A couple good options as you scroll down:
http://www.cyclelink.com.au/category131_1.htm
the stem-mount would look suitably retro for that beautiful bike. The single saddle-mount would be less miserably ugly than most.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

Hmmm...no experience with any of these, but I think this is what you're talking about: http://www.rei.com/product/768770

I have heard they tend to project bottles, however...

CA

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I've got this and I've never lost a bottle yet (knock on wood). But, it would look a bit silly on your mixte. I think you'd be best with the handlebar mount.

How 'bout putting this on the seat tube?

http://www.wallbike.com/klickfix/bottlefix.html

(been searching for random bike parts...)

CA

Thanks for all the great suggestions! My husband is having conniptions about me attaching anything to the tubes, and he thinks the handlebar mount would look silly, so rather than keep arguing with him about it I just bought a saddle bag that is big enough to hold a water bottle. He thinks it looks dumb, too, but I'm not going to dehydrate myself just to please his aesthetic sense about MY bike. (I got the Velo Orange baguette bag.)