Most expensive and cheapest bottle cage relocation mounts??? [Pic links fixed]

SummitFever

Eats Squid
A few days ago I had a very rare combination of circumstances that meant I could run some parts on my toolroom cnc machining centre. It's normally only for prototype work but covid has meant I've been running it for production work as well. For some time, I've been meaning to make some mounts that will allow me to position the bottle cages on my various bikes exactly where I want them. I ended up making three mounts, one which is a bit more complicated from the Trance and two for my Anthem.




These are made parametrically. I don't design them in CAD and then generate the G-Code. I write the G-Code essentially by hand but using a variety of subroutines that do the things I want. What this means is, if I want a mount that relocates a bottle 16.37mm then I just put this value into a variable in the G-Code and whole thing is worked out from there. No going back to some CAD software and regenerating tools paths or any BS like that.

An interesting question is how much does it cost to make something like this? Well, for me it costs nothing but time and electricity (as even the raw stock I used is 6061-M61 precision plate that I have left over from the last production run). But, this is a wanky answer, so how do we put a cost on something like this?

Xometry is great place to start. Do your design in CAD and upload your file and they give you an instant, real-time quote on what it costs to make this part in the US and in China. You can tweak materials, tolerances, surface finishes and processes. It's brilliant. With that in mind, I created a CAD model of my part so I could get a Xometry quote and there are the results.

To make one part with very shit tolerances (+/- 5 thou of a inch!) will set you back US$180 (made in US) or $US94 (made in China) plus shipping.



If you want 10 of these with black anodized finish, price drops to US$75 / $35 each.



What about 100? Price drops to $31 / $14 each.



Making stuff is expensive and if I could have just bought something off-the-shelf that had the exact offsets I wanted then there would be no way I'd waste my time making something like this.
 
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SummitFever

Eats Squid
The B-rad is a good system. Only thing I don't like is the very long slots for adjustment. They do that because it would be uneconomic to make a range of sizes, but the long slots do mean that if the bolts come loose then things can end up where they shouldn't be. I slotted mine just to allow for some variation in boss locations from frame to frame (the spec is 2.5" spacing, but it can be a bit variable depending on manufacturer).
 

SummitFever

Eats Squid
Erm, I was referring to the OP. Wrong quote.
The pics were coming off my http:// server but I see the rotorburn page is https:// so depending on your browser settings you might not see the pics. I've changed them over to a https:// server so they should work for everyone now. Let me know if you still can't see the pics.
 

beeb

Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
The pics were coming off my http:// server but I see the rotorburn page is https:// so depending on your browser settings you might not see the pics. I've changed them over to a https:// server so they should work for everyone now. Let me know if you still can't see the pics.
Well I can now! Thanks. :)
 

Ackland

chats d'élevage
The pics were coming off my http:// server but I see the rotorburn page is https:// so depending on your browser settings you might not see the pics. I've changed them over to a https:// server so they should work for everyone now. Let me know if you still can't see the pics.
Ok so are you saying you might occasionally be able to produce a few?
 

moorey

call me Mia
Proprietary crap.
No variability in mounting.
Need to position your bottle exactly to engage it again.
Loose bottles anyway.....
Felix has never lost a bottle….so I’m unlikely to. Place it near mount and it just snaps in.
 

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
Can I order one that mounts the bottle sideways please? I'd like to bang my knee on it as I ride.
 

SummitFever

Eats Squid
Ok so are you saying you might occasionally be able to produce a few?
I could make a few. The only advantage (and therefore reason) to make them is to get the exact custom offset you need for the perfect fit. Let me know how many mm you need it shifted and I'll crank you one out.

I made the first one because I broke my carbon bottle cage on the Trance and then put on my King Cage which for some funny reason puts the bottom of the bottle in a different position. I need to offset the mount by 33mm and then its spot on so I have enough clearance to get a big Camelback bottle on and off and also enough room below the bottle to mount tools and a tube.

I then made the second one because the under-tube mount on my Anthem puts a 1L Zefal bottle in such a position that on full bottom out the front tyre will just buzz the top of the bottle.
 

SummitFever

Eats Squid
Can I order one that mounts the bottle sideways please? I'd like to bang my knee on it as I ride.
Sideways is always an option. I recommend using only one loosely tightened bolt. That way there's an exciting bit of intrigue as to when the bottle will go sideways, which way it will go and by how much.
 

Litenbror

Eats Squid
The B-rad is a good system. Only thing I don't like is the very long slots for adjustment. They do that because it would be uneconomic to make a range of sizes, but the long slots do mean that if the bolts come loose then things can end up where they shouldn't be. I slotted mine just to allow for some variation in boss locations from frame to frame (the spec is 2.5" spacing, but it can be a bit variable depending on manufacturer).
Came across these while finding parts for the printer


While not nearly as nice and only 2 options for bottle cage position they are a good option for someone who doesn't have access to a milling machine and the required skills to use it.
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
I bought 2 of these a few years back to maximise space in the triangle for an under toptube bag and 2 bottles.

 
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